One of a series of leaflets published by The Compassionate Friends Other children If there are surviving siblings, they will of course be suffering greatly too. They need their parents’ love along with recognition of their own feelings. It’s important for children to understand that it is okay to be sad and to cry. TCF has a website, newsletter and Facebook page for grieving siblings who are 18 years old and over. See: tcf.org.uk/siblings If we have been bereaved of more than one child Some of us endure the heartbreak of losing more than one child. If we are now facing a further bereavement, our emotions will be intensified. The coping strategies we used in the past may no longer be enough, as our present grief is compounded by our past losses. The advice above about the need to take care of ourselves, as well as to seek and receive support, will be all the more applicable if we have suffered multiple losses. If we have been bereaved of all of our children If our current bereavement means that we now have no surviving children, we may struggle to see a way forward. The sense of loss may fill every part of our lives, and we may have practical concerns as well. TCF runs a forum and support events specifically for parents bereaved of all of their children. Next steps We often expect or wish for there to be a straightforward path after bereavement, but this is rarely the case. We will face ups and downs. Eventually, we will adapt to this very unpredictable path, and the intensity of the pain will lessen. The immediate effects of grief such as tiredness, loss of short-term memory, lack of concentration and reduced selfconfidence will all improve gradually, as will our energy levels and the ability to manage our daily life. Life continues, and our responsibilities to home and family do not lessen. There may soon be pressure to return to work. The routine and structure of work can be reassuring and even give us a temporary reprieve from the intensity of our feelings. However, if we do have a choice in the matter, it is best not to be rushed into returning before we feel we are ready.
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