UK Helpline 0345 123 2304 (Open as often as possible from 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) TCF’s National Helpline will be open during the Christmas period: Some parents try to avoid celebrations by going away and doing something completely different. Be aware, though, that sometimes being away from supportive friends or family can be more difficult. Also, the jollity of strangers or their casual questions could make us uncomfortable. Christmas, in particular, is celebrated in different forms in many countries. Be aware that the New Year celebrations can also be difficult. The arrival of a new year can feel like you are moving ‘further away’ from your child. The celebrations of others, wishing you a ‘Happy New Year’, can intensify your yearning and grief. You can feel isolated from and resentful of the happiness of others. Acknowledge these feelings to yourself and others close to you. It might help to have a plan for the evening of December 31st – whether that is to be alone, or with understanding friends or family, who will allow you to be yourself and remember your child at this time. After the death of our child, the winter holidays may continue to be difficult for many years and perhaps even forever. There will be a natural yearning for what might have been, an added poignancy to these occasions. However, we bereaved parents do survive these days, difficult as they are. What matters is that, as far as possible, we are able to do whatever feels right for us, and eventually be able to more easily carry the loving memory of our child with us into future times. For more on this subject, please see the TCF leaflet “Coping with special occasions” online at tcf.org.uk/specialoccasions. Other parents at the Compassionate Friends are supporting each other at this time. You can join in our discussions on our Facebook groups or call our helpline.
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