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Dear Friend,
When we lose a child, everything in our world is shaken, rather like those snow globes we had as children. The problem is, when things start to settle, our world is not the same as it was before and never will be. This is particularly true of our nuclear family. We sometimes use an illustration of interlocking circles, each one representing a family member. When our child dies, or maybe more than one child, their circle is ripped out – but in the tearing, all the other circles are damaged and torn too. The family shape is permanently changed.
This affects our future massively. One decision is whether to have another child after loss, not as a replacement but as another much-loved child. One of our befrienders, Ann, shares with us her difficult journey of making this choice.
Another is to do with our identity. If we lose our only child, are we still parents? What is our role in life? We share some thoughts about this aspect of the new family.
What if our family had one parent and now that parent is alone? Sharon shares her experience on-camera of being a single parent after the loss of her daughter.
What is certain is that our family will be different, as every aspect of life is different. However, it is possible to find a new shape, yes with torn and jagged edges, but one that has value and purpose again, carrying the loss of our child with us.
Also in this newsletter, we look ahead to our autumn events, especially our annual weekend away.
We hope you find something helpful as you read on.
With our love,
Dave and Jane Park
Bereaved Parent Support Coordinators
Email us at daveandjane@cff.org.uk
Having another child after loss
Ann, one of our befrienders, shares with us the painful decision she made to try for another baby after the loss of her first child Andrea to spina bifida.
When your only child has died
Our surviving children are never a replacement for the child we lost but do affirm our role as parents. If we lose our only child, are we still parents? How do we find a place for that parenting heart? We share some thoughts.
Grieving for a child as a single parent
As a single parent after the death of a child, our role and purpose can be questioned by others or by ourselves. In this video, Sharon shares her experiences after the loss of her daughter.
Looking ahead in 2023
Our annual support weekend, for both bereaved parents and bereaved adult siblings, is Friday 3–Sunday 5 November. More information and booking is via the the link below.
We are also holding a support day online for bereaved parents on Saturday 30 September. Find out more and book using the link below.
Bereaved parent walking group – East Midlands
Find out more about a walking group for bereaved parents and siblings in the East Midlands area led by Mick Voss.
Please note: Mick is a friend of Care for the Family but this is not a Care for the Family event.
Bereaved parent support from Care for the Family
We hope you have found this newsletter helpful. There are more articles and other useful links on our website.
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