Like adding just the right amount of seasoning to a holiday stew, active listening can enhance the flavor of any conversation. As you engage with loved ones this Thanksgiving, approach each discussion with curiosity and openness.

Turns out, parenting isn’t a temporary gig. It’s a lifelong job, and believe me, your 18-to-25-year-olds still desperately need you, even if they pretend they’ve got it all figured out.

Studies have shown that people who maintain these emotional connections with deceased parents often cope better with their grief . So no, you don’t have to toss out their stuff or stop thinking about them to heal. Keep the bond alive – it’s part of what makes us whole.