Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Dear Abby: Devastated Parent Wants to Avoid ‘Trauma Dumping’ when People Ask How They’ve Been

After six months of mourning, the family resumes daily routines while coping with ongoing grief and social challenges, marking a cautious step toward healing.

  • Six months ago, our family lost the oldest child in a car accident, and now the children have returned to school while the parent resumes work.
  • After a utilities dispute, Levi, 23, told Alex and his grandmother he wants no contact and has ignored their messages.
  • Dear Abby recommends a brief honest reply: `We've been through some trials and tribulations, but we're moving forward.` To limit probing, use `I'd rather not go into detail right now` and avoid `trauma dumping`.
  • I'm encountering many people unaware of the tragedy, and I want to be honest that I'm not really OK; Alex, the father, suffers physical and mental health issues due to estrangement from Levi.
  • Dear Abby advises stopping repeated outreach to avoid rejection, noting Levi may reconnect with the family when he grows or needs something, Abigail Van Buren wrote.
Insights by Ground AI

21 Articles

The Detroit NewsThe Detroit News
+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
Center

Dear Abby: Family reenters school and workplace after tragedy

Now the kids are back in school, and I'm starting to work again.

·Detroit, United States
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 48% of the sources lean Left, 47% of the sources are Center
48% Left

Factuality 

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Mass Live broke the news in Springfield, United States on Monday, October 20, 2025.
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
For You
Search
BlindspotLocal