Coping with Christmas

Be aware that the New Year celebrations can also be difficult. The coming of a new year can feel like we are moving ‘further away’ from our child and the celebrations of others, wishing us a ‘Happy New Year’, can intensify our yearning and grief. We can feel isolated from the celebrations and happiness of others. Acknowledge these feelings to yourself and others close to you, and perhaps plan the evening of December 31st – whether that is to be alone, or with close, understanding friends who will allow you to be yourself and remember your child at this poignant time of year. After the death of our child, the Christmas holidays will have shadow, a yearning for what might have been, an added poignancy. However, we do survive these days, difficult as they are. What matters is that, as far as possible, you are able to do whatever feels right for you, and eventually be able to carry the loving memory of your child with you into future Christmas-times. UK Helpline 0345 123 2304 (10am – 4pm, 7pm- 10pm every day) The following Helplines are open too: Child Death Helpline 0800 282 986 Child Bereavement UK Support and Information Line 0800 02 888 40 Samaritans 116 123 (free to call) To find out more about TCF visit www.tcf.org.uk |  @tcf.org.uk  @TCFcharityUK The Compassionate Friends National Helpline will be open during the Christmas period: Note: The above could also apply to other publicly celebrated occasions within your own culture and community, such as Diwali, Chanukah and Eid. For more on this topic please see www.tcf.org.uk/specialoccasions