Dear Dr. Meg,

I have a wonderful daughter who is 8 1/2 years old. She is also special needs. When she was 21 months old, I had her younger brother who passed away at 40 days old. When he passed away it brought me even closer to her (even though I didn’t think it was possible to be any closer). Then, when she was 4.5 I had another son who passed away at 3 days old. Both my sons were on hospice care. After my youngest son passed away I have built a wall up between my daughter and myself. I don’t want to allow myself to become too close/attached and lose her too. She has a lot of health issues so losing her is a possibility and not an irrational fear. She is taken care of. I play and interact with her, but it is at a distance. How do I break down this wall and let her in? If she were to pass away too it would literally kill me (no I am not suicidal).

Signed,

Worried To Lose My Child

Dear WTLMC,

You sound like an amazing woman. I’m terribly sorry for the loss of your sons. Living…