Introduction Some grief doesn’t come from losing a person—it comes from letting go of the family dynamic you hoped would exist. This kind of grief is quiet, ongoing, and often carried while you’re still showing up every day as a parent. It’s grieving expectations, support, and the version of life you once believed would feel more shared. This grief can show up in co-parenting relationships, extended family dynamics, or anywhere expectations once lived. Grief That Isn’t Always