10th November 2021

Life is never quite the same after the loss of a child. Bereaved parents will often speak about how they lose a part of themselves after their child dies. This is a natural, commonplace feeling after such a monumental event, but it does not mean you will be miserable forever. There is life after the death of a child, but it takes time. To help you navigate this challenging period, this blog post walks you through a few things to keep in mind about grieving for a lost child.

The Relationship With Your Partner

Both parents must accept that their dynamic will change after losing a child. It may be that you grow apart over time; many couples decide to move on because staying with the partner brings up feelings and memories that are too painful. Ending the relationship is, for many, the most effective way of moving past the grief of losing a child.

However, it is important to remember that this difficult experience creates a bond between the two of you that nobody else can replicate. You have gone through something extremely challenging together; only you and your partner know how it feels. As a consequence, it could be that you become even closer. Nobody apart from them truly understands the pain you went through; having them close to you can therefore be extremely important.

Finding a Support Network

It is important to remember that you are not alone. There are many people who have gone through the same experience, and sharing your feelings with them can be extremely helpful. Those who are further down the road of grieving are able to give valuable advice about how to deal with these challenging times. More importantly, simply sharing how you feel with others is a powerful thing to do. Keeping these emotions to yourself is never a good thing to do.

Along with finding a support network of fellow grieving parents, seeking bereavement counselling in Harrogate or online can also be highly beneficial. I give you a safe, confidential space where you can freely express your feelings and feel heard, understood, and validated as you process this trauma in your own way - and in your own time.

Establishing a Routine

Following the loss of a child, parents can often become so overcome with grief that they ignore their own health. This could involve not eating or not eating well, not exercising, or neglecting daily responsibilities. Failing to complete these tasks will, over time, make your situation even worse, so it is important to establish a routine that ensures you keep living a healthy life. This could include taking a walk every day, or eating some fruit at breakfast. Keeping yourself physically healthy in this way is hugely important for your mental health.

If you are a parent who has recently lost a child, help is out there. I offer bespoke, highly compassionate bereavement counselling in Harrogate and online, giving you a non-judgemental environment where you can speak honestly about your feelings and gradually move to a better place.