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119 Results for “Adoption”

Divorce & Family Challenges

Finding a Resolution for Infertility

A community where people dealing with infertility can discuss family building and treatment options.

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Share the gift of empathy with your kids

There’s something about the holiday season that brings out the spirit of generosity. In addition to making things a bit brighter for others—and helping us feel good in turn—this season of doing good gives us a way to teach children a lesson in caring for others.

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Celebrate Father’s Day in a way that includes all LGBTQ families

Families today don’t all look the same—and that’s a good thing. More children than ever are being raised by single parents, adoptive parents, LGBTQ parents, or in blended families. Some might feel excluded on Father’s Day. Here's how you can recognize all the important people in your life.

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Celebrate Mother’s Day in a way that includes all LGBTQ families – Option B

Families today don't all look the same—and that’s a good thing. More children than ever are being raised by single parents, adoptive parents, LGBTQ parents, or in blended families. Some might feel excluded on Mother’s Day. Here's how you can recognize all the important people in your life.

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How to Support Your Loved One with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant – Option B

Learn how to help friends who are facing grief, illness, divorce, and other types of adversity. Watch Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant explain the Platinum Rule of Friendship.

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The Importance of Resilience with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – Option B

Resilience is the strength and speed of our response to adversity. It’s a skillset we develop over the course of our lives, and there are concrete steps we can take to build resilience long before we face any kind of difficulty.

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Talking about grief, loss, and hardship with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – OptionB.Org

Staying silent can make your loved ones feel even more isolated after grief, loss, or hardship. Talking about the elephant in the room is one way to acknowledge your friend's suffering and speak with empathy and honesty.

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Taking Back Joy After Loss or Trauma with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – Option B

The guilt we feel after loss or trauma can prevent us from enjoying the things we love. But when we give ourselves permission to do what we love, we allow ourselves to reclaim joy in our lives.

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Confidence and Compassion for Resillience with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – Option B

When you treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d show a friend, that’s self-compassion. When you believe in your abilities, that’s self-confidence. We can practice self-compassion and develop our self-confidence on a daily basis to build resilience.

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Raising Resillient Kids with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – Option B

Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant discuss how kids are often more resilient than we think. There are concrete things we can do to help them build that resilience, including making sure they know they aren’t facing adversity alone. They discuss the concept of mattering, which is knowing that others notice you, care about you, and rely on you.

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How to Find Meaning After Loss or Trauma with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – Option B

After loss or trauma, we all hope to bounce back. Some of us manage to bounce forward. Learn how helping others gives our suffering meaning, allowing us to grow from the most difficult experiences of our lives.

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Fight Permanence to Build Resilience with Sheryl Sandberg & Adam Grant VIDEO – Option B

Staying silent can make your loved ones feel even more isolated after grief, loss, or hardship. Talking about the elephant in the room is one way to acknowledge your friend’s suffering and speak with empathy and honesty.

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Support for LGBTQ people facing family & community rejection – Option B

Far too many LGBTQ people face discrimination and rejection in their families, schools, and communities. Here you’ll find personal stories from people who are dealing with these challenges and expert advice that can help you or your loved ones navigate them. And if you’re looking for more specialized help—from fostering a safe learning environment in schools to addressing transgender violence—the organizations listed below are a great place to start.

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Supportive Mother’s Day cards from Option B & PAPYRUS

When a friend or loved one is facing a difficult Mother’s Day, small gestures of love, empathy, compassion, and support can go a long way. That’s why we teamed up with PAPYRUS to create this special line of cards to help you send a heartfelt messages and condolences to those who need it most this Mother’s Day. These free ecards will help show support to those near and far.

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Honest holiday cards from Option B

When someone you care about is going through a tough time, cheery holiday sentiments can fall short. Option B teamed up with PAPYRUS to create this special line of greeting cards to help you share love and support when the holidays don’t feel so happy. Whether your friends or loved one are struggling with illness, separated from family, or coping with loss, you can send a card to let them know you're thinking of them.

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#OptionBThere: Support others during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it—we’re all navigating a new normal. Many of us are experiencing loneliness, anxiety, and fear—and for those of us who were already dealing with life challenges, it may make the weight of those feel even heavier. But we’re in this together, and we’ll get through it by supporting each other.
OptionB.Org’s #OptionBThere initative is about helping you support your family, friends, and community through this uncertain time. Below you’ll find free digital cards, expert advice, how to guides, and practical tools to help you acknowledge how your loved ones are feeling, show your support, and perhaps spark a moment of joy.

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#OptionBThere for the Holidays

Discover actions big and small that you can take to offer extra support and help friends and loved ones who are struggling with illness, separated from family, or coping with loss.

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#OptionBThere: Heart Warmer cards

Play a card game designed to help you and your loved ones focus on moments of joy, celebrate small victories, and practice gratitude.

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#OptionBThere for the holidays: support others having a hard time – Option B

One of the best gifts you can give this holiday season is to be there for those who need it most. #OptionBThere is about helping you find the right words and thoughtful gestures to support your loved ones, show them that they’re not alone—and maybe even spark a little joy. Learn how to support friends and loved ones who are separated from family, coping with loss, or going through other challenges this holiday season.

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Honest holiday cards from Option B

When someone you care about is going through a tough time, cheery holiday sentiments can fall short. That’s why we teamed up with PAPYRUS and and Emily McDowell & Friends to create these free e-cards to help you share love and support when the holidays don’t feel so happy. Simply click the card to email it to a loved one directly from this page. You’ll be able to add a personalized note before you send, and you can send as many as you’d like.

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Helping loved ones in hard times — Option B

When a family member or friend is coping with loss, dealing with a health issue, or going through other difficult challenges—small gestures of support can go a long way. Here, you’ll find expert advice on what to say and do to support loved ones when they need you the most.

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Find community through an Option B Dinner Party.

Join a small, supportive online gathering for real conversations about grief

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#OptionBThere: Support others on Mother’s Day 2021

In any year—but particularly one filled with collective hardship and struggle—this holiday can bring on a variety of emotions. No matter what this day looks like for you and your loved ones, we see you. Here, you'll find expert-backed advice to help you navigate the day and support the people in your life who are going through a hard time.

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#OptionBThere: Support others on Father’s Day 2021

For many, Father’s Day is filled with celebration and togetherness. But for people who have lost a child or father, or who are struggling with infertility or illness, it can be hard. Here, you’ll find actions large and small you can take to offer extra support and help them find meaning this Father’s Day. #OptionBThere

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How to help others going through a hard time | #OptionBThere

Wondering how to help a loved one going through a hard time? Use this illustrated guide to discover things to do after loss or hardship.

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Send an #OptionBThere card

Quirky cards from well-known illustrator Emily McDowell that acknowledge how your loved ones are really feeling this holiday season.

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Send an #OptionBThere Card

Standard greeting cards won't do when a friend or loved one is facing a difficult Mother’s Day—whether that's due to loss, infertility, or family challenges. Our friends at Hello!Lucky created this special line of cards to help people share love and support when Mother’s Day doesn’t feel very happy.

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Send a card to support others on a difficult Father’s Day – Option B

When a friend or loved one is facing a difficult Father’s Day, small gestures of love, empathy, compassion, and support can go a long way. That’s why we teamed up with PAPYRUS to create this special line of cards to help you send a heartfelt messages and condolences to those who need it most this Father’s Day. These free ecards will help show support to those near and far. #OptionBThere

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Jason B. Rosenthal on the Journey Through Loss and Grief VIDEO – Option B

Jason B. Rosenthal, the husband from the viral New York Times article “You May Want to Marry My Husband,” offers candid insights and wisdom for anyone experiencing life-changing grief.

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Joan Barnes on the Importance of Vulnerability in Her Recovery from Bulimia VIDEO – Option B

Gymboree founder Joan Barnes, who struggled with bulimia and an exercise addiction, shares how her recovery led to a more fulfilling career and life.

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Yes, I Survived Cancer. But That Doesn't Define Me. VIDEO – Option B

Author Debra Jarvis explains how she claimed her experience with cancer by letting go of her old self and allowing a new self to emerge.

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Why We Need to Change Our Response to Failure VIDEO – Option B

Psychologist and author Guy Winch describes how changing our responses to failure can build resilience.

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What to Say to Help Our Loved Ones After Tragedy VIDEO – Option B

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Adrianne Haslet-Davis recommends small steps we can take to help our loved ones in the face of tragedy.

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The Importance of Compassion in Creating a Just Society VIDEO – Option B

Human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson emphasizes the importance of humanity and compassion in creating a just society.

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We don’t move on from grief. We move forward with it VIDEO – Option B

Nora McInerny, author and founder of the ‘Hot Young Widows Club,’ shares her experiences of loss at a young age and how sadness and joy can coexist. She explains how we don’t ‘move on’ from grief but rather move forward.

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The Surprising Science of Happiness VIDEO – Option B

Dan Gilbert, author of “Stumbling on Happiness” and social psychologist challenges the idea that we’ll be miserable if we don’t get what we want. Gilbert describes how our “psychological immune system” can help us find happiness—synthetic or natural—when things don’t go as planned.

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The Power of Believing that You Can Improve VIDEO – Option B

Developmental psychologist Carol Dweck explains how kids who embrace effort and difficulty learn to take on challenges. They use a growth mindset—the idea that we can grow our brain’s capacity to learn and to solve problems. Learn about this influential field of psychology, and the power of believing that you can improve.

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Sheryl Sandberg and Cheryl Strayed on Being There on Mother’s Day VIDEO – Option B

After her mother died, Cheryl Strayed – the author of Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Brave Enough – had never felt more lost. Cheryl hiked herself back to “the woman her mother wanted her to be” on the Pacific Crest Trail, developing her resilience along the way. In this conversation with Sheryl Sandberg, Cheryl shares what she learned on her hike and about the enduring power of a mother’s love.

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Build Meaningful Connections and Empathy to Heal VIDEO – Option B

Dr. Adrienne Boissy encourages us to build meaningful connections and develop empathy to help ourselves—and others—heal. She shares stories from her own life, and those of her patients, to show the importance of using language intentionally to show true compassion and to listen to and value others and their suffering.

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How to Fight for People With Disabilities VIDEO – Option B

Activist Judith Heumann explains steps we can take toward a more inclusive world for people with disabilities.

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A Student's Philosophy for a Happy Life: Focusing on Joy – Option B

Student Sam Berns shares his four secrets to living a happy life, including focusing on what he can do rather than on what he can’t.

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How We Talk About Sexual Assault Online VIDEO – Option B

Writer and activist Ione Wells says we need a better approach to use social media for social justice. After she was the victim of an assault in London, Wells published a letter to her attacker in a student newspaper that went viral and sparked the #NotGuilty campaign against sexual violence and victim-blaming. In this moving talk, she describes how sharing her personal story gave hope to others and delivers a powerful message against the culture of online shaming.

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How to Raise Successful Kids Without Overparenting VIDEO – Option B

Former Stanford dean Julie Lythcott-Haims encourages parents to stop defining their children's success via grades and test scores and instead focus on developing self-efficacy.

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Building Resilience: How to Make Stress Your Friend VIDEO – Option B

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal outlines how we can build resilience by connecting with and caring for other people during times of stress.

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How to Find Meaning In Our Challenges VIDEO – Option B

Writer and psychologist Andrew Solomon encourages us to forge meaning from our struggles and build a new identity that incorporates even the worst events in our lives.

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How to Succeed After Incarceration VIDEO – Option B

Lawyer Christopher Poulos describes how his past in prison has barred him from many opportunities. But he made a decision to follow positive direction, accept help, and live a life of recovery. Now, he’s a practicing lawyer and advocates for a combined approach to prison reform and dealing with addiction. He gives tips and advice for how to overcome life’s challenges and what he’s learned through his journey.

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How to Help Kids Grieve: Embrace the Process VIDEO – Option B

Good Grief's Joe Primo, a former hospice chaplain and an expert on how to help children grieve, explains why we should embrace the process of grieving—and how the experience can lead to a richer life.

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From Victim to Survivor: Regain Power and Create Change VIDEO – Option B

Advocate and sexual abuse survivor Lauren Book encourages us to dig into our pain to regain power and create change.

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Factors that Prepare Kids to Build Resilience VIDEO – Option B

Resilience expert Ann Masten shares the factors that prepare kids to be resilient when faced with adversity.

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Build Resilience & Social Change in Conflict Affected Areas VIDEO – Option B

Youth advocate Limabenla Jamir describes how resilience develops from social support in conflict-affected communities and how it can help young people drive changes in their societies.

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How to Recover After Divorce TED Talk VIDEO – Option B

Psychologist Gary Lewandowski shares how activities that help you rediscover yourself can also help you recover from divorce.

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How to Heal By Carrying Your Grief VIDEO – Option B

Grief expert Nancy Berns explains why we don't need closure to heal from loss. Rather, we can find freedom by carrying our joy and our grief together.

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Building Resilient Families with Tamara Afifi – Option B

For more than two decades, Tamara Afifi, professor of interpersonal health communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, has studied how families communicate with one another in stressful situations. Divorce or extreme financial hardship can be damaging for families, but there are ways to overcome these challenges—and even treat adversity as an opportunity for growth.

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Michelle Palmer on regaining hope after sexual assault – Option B

Michelle Palmer works to help survivors regain a sense of hope in the aftermath of trauma or grief. This Q&A explores how to be there for loved ones who have experienced sexual assault and abuse, how we can stop victim blaming, and how to cope as a survivor. Palmer is a licensed clinical social worker and the executive director of the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing. Throughout her career, Michelle has worked with both child and adult survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault, as well as other types of trauma.

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Julie Lythcott-Haims on Raising Resilient Kids – Option B

As the former dean of freshmen at Stanford University, Julie Lythcott-Haims knows how important qualities like tenacity and toughness are for young adults’ development. And as a parent, she knows how difficult it can be to instill those qualities in kids. The author of the New York Times best seller How to Raise an Adult, Lythcott-Haims believes raising resilient kids means allowing them to fall and pick themselves back up—and resisting the urge to fix their problems for them.

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Julia Samuel on Changing How We Think About Grief – Option B

The UK’s leading grief expert discusses why we fear grief and pain—and shares ideas for how we can talk about them more openly.

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Judith Heumann on Living and Thriving with a Disability – Option B

How can we support a loved one who has recently acquired a disability? How can people become better allies to the disabled community? Disability rights activist Judith Heumann shares advice on building resilience and making communities more inclusive and tolerant for those living with a disability.

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"Joe Primo on Supporting Grieving Children – Option B"

The CEO of Good Grief—and a former hospice chaplain—shares strategies to help children cope with the death of a loved one and make sense of tragedy.

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Jack Saul on Overcoming Trauma and Building Resilience – Option B

A leading trauma expert and clinical psychologist explains why talking about trauma helps the healing process.

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Dr. Adrienne Boissy on Showing Empathy – Option B

The Cleveland Clinic’s chief experience officer shares what she’s learned from her patients about the power of empathy and acceptance.

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Coping With Loss and Finding Meaning with Chris Davis – Option B

A psychology professor has made it his goal to understand how people respond to illness and death. He shares ways that we can help ourselves, our friends, and our families grieve.

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#OptionBThere: How writing down positive moments helps

Writing down small wins and positive moments can have a lasting impact on your mood and make the holidays a little brighter.

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Volunteer for a Good Cause – Option B

Here are three platforms to help you find the best volunteer opportunity for your group of friends. Volunteering makes an impact in our communities, but the benefits for you are even greater—volunteering can decrease depression and give you a sense of purpose. Easy ways to give back—because doing good for others is good for you, too.

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#OptionBThere: How to Support Kids Whose Families Have Changed

Advice for navigating the holidays when kids are coping with the absence of a loved one.

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Support a loved one working through addiction – #OptionBThere

The holidays might be a challenging time if someone you care about is dealing with addiction—whether it’s substances, medications, tobacco, or certain behaviors. Learn about the signs that your loved one might be having a difficult time and find ways to support them.

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How to be there beyond the holidays | #OptionBThere

If a friend is going through hard times, consider making a promise—to them or just to yourself—to be there for them through the holidays and beyond.

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The Option B community can help – Advice for tough Mother’s Days

The Option B community shares their feelings about Mother’s Day and how loved ones can show they care. Whether it's infertility, the loss of a family member, or difficult relationships, these stories of resilience can help you through Mother's Day.

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The Option B community can help – Advice for tough Father’s Days

The Option B community shares their feelings about Father’s Day and how loved ones can show they care. Whether it's infertility, the loss of a family member, or difficult relationships, these stories of resilience can help you through Father's Day.

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How to support a widowed parent on Mother’s Day – Option B

Parents who’ve lost a partner may not know how to spend birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays like Mother’s Day. Find ways to support your friend or loved ones and help plan a Mother’s Day that feels right.

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How to support a widowed parent on Father’s Day – Option B

Parents who’ve lost a partner may not know how to spend birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays like Father's Day. Find ways to support your friend or loved ones and help plan a Father’s Day that feels right.

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How to Support a Friend Estranged from Family – Option B

Many adult children and their parents are estranged from one another, meaning they choose to put distance between themselves. Here’s how you can help a friend who is not close with their family and support them through a difficult Father’s Day.

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How to support a friend grieving on Mother’s Day – Option B

For those who have lost their mom, Mother’s Day can be a painful reminder that she’s gone. You can support grieving friends by finding ways to remember and celebrate their mothers’ lives.

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How to support a friend grieving on Father’s Day – Option B

For those who have lost their dad, Father’s Day can be a painful reminder that he’s gone. You can support grieving friends by finding ways to remember and celebrate their father’s lives.

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Be there on Mother’s Day for friends who don’t have kids—but want them — Option B

For people who want children, Mother’s Day can be a sensitive time. If a friend shared their struggle with infertility or a miscarriage, show you’re thinking of them this Mother’s Day. These 6 tips can help when you support friends or loved ones who don’t have kids but want them. #OptionBThere

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What to say instead of “Happy Mother’s Day” – Option B

“Happy Mother’s Day” doesn’t apply for everyone—and can even hurt some. A traditional greeting might be a painful reminder for someone who has experienced illness, infertility, or the loss of a parent or child. Follow these 3 steps to be more thoughtful about your Mother’s Day greeting this year. #OptionBThere

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What to say instead of "Happy Father’s Day" – Option B

“Happy Father’s Day” doesn’t apply for everyone—and can even hurt some. A traditional greeting might be a painful reminder for someone who has experienced illness, infertility, or the loss of a parent or child. Follow these 3 steps to be more thoughtful about your Father’s Day greeting this year. #OptionBThere

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Help During the Holidays: Honor Lost Loved Ones – Option B

Discover new ways to honor lost loved ones, and even reconnect with them—from planting a memorial tree to singing their favorite songs.

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How to cope with the emotions of financial burden during the holidays – #OptionBThere

Read how to navigate the pressures or expectations of gift giving during the holidays when you’re not financially stable. Understand the psychology of spending and strategies for enjoying the holidays without guilt or pressure to spend.

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Comfort a friend facing a lonely holiday – #OptionBThere

It might surprise you that during this season of holiday parties and family gatherings, some of us feel more alone than ever. Loneliness creeps up year-round, but it can be an especially tough experience during the holidays.

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#OptionBThere: How to care for the caregivers in your life

Caregiving is a year-round commitment people do out of love. These ideas will help you reflect that love back to them with gestures of appreciation and support.

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#OptionBThere: Ask for the help you need

A guide to deciding how your friends and loved ones can help you in the face of loss or hardship—and tips for how to ask.

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7 Practical Ways to Build Resilience in Kids – Option B

Read practical tips developed by pediatrician Kenneth Ginsburg to help you prepare your children to build resilience, overcome setbacks, and thrive.

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Facing Adversity Through Building Resilience: A Guide to Grounded Hope – Option B

Writer and counseling psychologist Lee Daniel Kravetz describes five steps we can take to find realistic hope in the face of adversity.

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How to Help Your Loved Ones During the Holidays: Start a Conversation – Option B

When things are tough for someone you care about, it can be tempting not to talk about it—but that’s often the opposite of what your friend needs. Use these tips to talk about grief, loss, and hardship in an authentic way.

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#OptionBThere: Send an old-fashioned letter

Have a friend who is struggling? Rather than just signing a holiday card, set aside some time to reflect on your relationship and compose a letter that expresses what they mean to you.

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