Interviews

When a public radio station in North Carolina asked if my formerly estranged brother would come on a show to discuss family estrangement and reconciliation, he said yes! Interesting to hear his perspective. Here is the interview. Our segment starts at 25:00. https://www.wunc.org/show/embodied-radio-show/2022-02-18/estrangement-family-personal-stories-sibling-parent-child

Misperceptions abound as estranged siblings avoid discussing their experiences. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202202/8-misperceptions-about-sibling-estrangement

Sibling estrangement is a kind of Me-Too movement, as those who suffer are finally breaking silence, rejecting shame, and sharing stories. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202202/what-resources-can-help-those-estranged-sibling Another resources for those struggling with family estrangement: https://sixtyandme.com/tag/estrangement/

https://www.crowdcast.io/e/fern-schumer-chapman-2

World Read Aloud Day is a greater reminder of the value of reading together. Here, I consider how my Happy Harper picture books about the separation of grandparents and grandchildren during the pandemic might help little ones understand their confusing emotions. Even my mother, who suffered with profound Holocaust losses when she was a child, might have felt less alone if someone had taken the time to read aloud with ...

First in-person school presentation in a few years. So nice to talk to students again. They ask such great questions. After learning about Germany’s efforts to face its history, one 8th grader asked me, “What can America do to atone for its national crimes?” Thank you Erin Wengerhoff for organizing! Always enjoy my visits to Algonquin Middle School - Des Plaines.

What questions should you ask yourself before re-entering a relationship with a difficult sibling? When reconciling, should you discuss the roots of the estrangement? https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202201/should-you-reconcile-estranged-sibling

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202201/why-the-estranged-feel-more-abandoned-during-the-pandemic

Click on the link for more information about this virtual event: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/fern-schumer-chapman-2/register

Hi Fern - I so so loved your book! Well done to your brother and you for articulating the series of events/emotions that led to your estrangement. So comforting. I'm experiencing the early days of sibling estrangement with my sister.I'm wondering, if I should gift her your book? Perhaps, she'll read it and come running with open arms... On the flipside it will be another attempt met with disregard and ...