S.O. Family Featured in Primetime Sesame Workshop Special

For Casey Holstein and his two daughters, 11-year-old Charli and 9-year-old Lia, the experience of being featured on the Sesame Workshop special "When Families Grieve" has been therapeutic. It's helped them to revisit memories of Holstein's late wife Robin, who died in August 2007 after a five-year battle with breast cancer.

In preparing for the taping, Holstein came across old home movies made when his children were young. "As Robin got sicker and weaker, we just didn't film as much, so in preparing for this project, I had all these videos converted to DVD," said Holstein, 48. "It was good to hear her voice and good to hear her happy and healthy."

"When Families Grieve" airs on April 14 at 8 p.m. on PBS. It features Katie Couric and Sesame Street muppets and presents stories of how different families have coped with losing a parent. Holstein says he was approached about sharing his story after a research producer for the show contacted various bereavement groups including Good Grief, which his family belongs to. Filming took place at the Holsteins' South Orange house last fall and at a production studio in Queens for the segment featuring muppets. Military families are also featured, as well as the family of a dead firefighter. Holstein says he's the only widower.

"I employ an 'it takes a village' concept to raise my family," said Holstein of the outpouring of support he's received from the South Orange community since he's become a single parent.

He keeps his girls active with a plethora of activities including Girl Scouts, tae kwon do, theater and tutoring and coaches their soccer and softball teams. He also has a nanny to help at home, since he works full-time operating a home care franchise, Synergy HomeCare of Metro NJ, for seniors. (Holstein used to work in legal services but  started the new business in September; he says he was drawn toward health care after his journey with Robin.)

Ultimately, his approach to coping centers on open communication. "We keep it real," he said. "We talk, we communicate, I let them vent at times. I give them responsibilities and see how they handle it."

And though he makes time for a social life, he noted that as a single parent, he always has to be "on," which comes naturally. "I have fun with the kids," he said.