Teens talk about parents dating again

By the Teens of Comfort Zone Camp
 
The grief resources section of our site contains a forum for teens to talk about life after a loss. A great question was sent in this week, and a good conversation as already begun related to parents dating again. This can often be a sensitive subject for both adult and child - each viewing the dating process from a very different perspective.
 
For today's blog post, I want to hand it off to the Teens as they share their very valuable insight into this common issue. To read an up-to-date account of answers, visit our Teens Talk page.
 
My Mom/Dad is dating again, and I'm worried that they're trying to replace my loved one. What can I do?
It can be really hard to talk to your Mom/Dad about dating after losing a parent. If you have siblings, they can help relate to what you are feeling about the current situation. If you don’t have siblings a good trustworthy friend can help you as well. Just know that your Mom/ Dad is not trying to replace your loved one. They know that no one will ever fill that void. - Joelle, 14
 

Talk to your Mom/Dad if you are feeling like they are trying to replace your loved one. Parents can be a great source of answers and confidence. - Timmy, 18
 
My mom remarried two and a half years ago and to say the least, I was not very happy. I could tell my mom was happy though and so for her sake I pretended to be okay. My mom’s husband is a nice guy, but he’s definitely not my dad. I would say it’s a hard adjustment for the whole family because everyone has to try to be comfortable with each other and figure out the kind of relationship you will all have. I’m not very close with my stepdad but I’ve been trying really hard to stay closer to my mom. It’s not an easy transition when a parent starts dating again and there is unfortunately no formula to make it that way. Each situation is different, but make sure not to keep your emotions bottled up. Having someone to talk to, whether it’s your parent, a sibling, or even just a friend, makes a difference. - Candace, 18
 
Your parents aren't trying to replace your loved one. You have to understand the fact that they don't want to spend the rest of their life alone, because before you know it, you'll be grown up and having your own life to deal with. So, it's not that their replacing them, and it doesn't mean they’re over the loss, but nobody should have to spend their life alone. Talk to your parent about it, and they'll tell you how they feel. Don't ever be afraid to ask about it, they may not want to talk about it at the moment, but come back at a better time and discuss it together, don't be scared to let them know how you feel. - Deanna, 13
 
Send your answer to TeensTalk@comfortzonecamp.org