Sibling Problems After Mom's Death

Siblings can experience problems after the death of their mother.

Losing a mother can be one of the most devastating and trying times of your life. Grieving is a natural process everyone must go through when suffering from a loss. The pain and suffering can manifest itself into psychological and situational problems among surviving siblings.

Grief

Death is a part of life and it is normal for siblings to become stricken with grief after their mother's death. Everyone grieves in their own way and may experience emotions such as denial, sadness, guilt, humiliation, shock, anger, disbelief or other emotions. Some siblings may find solace in each other, while for others, the opposite is true. The only cure for grief is time.

Inheritence Conflicts

Clinical psychologist, Dr. George Simon, Ph.D, believes that inheritance conflicts can often "drive wedges into otherwise cordial relations among siblings, as well as rekindling old rivalries." Inheritance problems may involve issues with the will, power of attorney, property or other estate issues. These conflicts can deepen wounds and cause long-term animosity and resentment between siblings.

Sibling Rivalry

An article about parental death and sibling rivalry suggests that statistically, siblings who have experienced parental death are not any more likely to have sibling rivalry than those who have not. Therefore, sibling rivalry can seem to intensify because of anger, guilt, sadness, inheritance issues and blame.

References

• ThinkGlink.com: Helping Aging Parents Results In Financial Problems After Death
• Couseling Resource: Dad's Passing Renewing Sibling Rivalry and Friction Over Mom's Estate
• The Labor Of Love: Parental Death and Sibling Rivalry