TCF News Spring 2022

Spring 2022 - TCF Newsletter | www.tcf.org.uk 5 I feel very sad. My stomach hurts. I cry a lot. It is difficult to sleep and sometimes I have bad dreams. I can’t concentrate. I keep forgetting things. I’m quite moody. I am very angry! I have no feelings. It just does not seem real. I feel like I am acting in a film. I’m awake a lot of the night. I can’t stop thinking about what happened. I can’t believe he has really died! I feel like it’s my fault she died. I’m just so tired. I have no energy at all. I don’t feel like eating. I can’t be bothered. I can’t cry I feel numb. Just published My child has died: how do I cope? We have just published a new supportive leaflet written for bereaved parents in the early days, weeks and months of grief. We hope this publication will give suggestions on finding ways to cope. View the leaflet at tcf.org.uk/mychildhasdied A warm thank you to Wendy & John Beecher for sponsoring the design and print in memory of their son, Jon Beecher. This is one of over 50 leaflets and fact sheets on many different aspects of bereavement and grief. All are written by bereaved parents and siblings. See them all here: tcf.org.uk/leaflets To request printed copies please contact us at info@tcf.org.uk or call our Helpline on 0345 123 2304 . My child has died. How do I cope? I planted a tree in memory. I built a special corner in my garden. I’ve been organising the photos and made a big collage. I used some of her clothes to make a teddy bear. I enjoy cooking my child’s favourite meal. I listen to his favourite music. I write letters to my child. I’ve been making a scrapbook of memories. Bereaved parents tell us, “This is how I like to remember my child” I visit the grave. I have a memory box with special items. I boxed up some of my child’s clothes and gave them to a homeless shelter. I scattered my son’s ashes on the beach. Now I go for walks there. I light candles. Remembering Many parents find it comforting to find special ways to remember their child, although sometimes this is very painful. You will have to face anniversaries, birthdays and other important dates. It can help to plan how to spend your time. Sometimes it is difficult to know what to do with your children’s belongings — their clothes and books, phone and devices, hobbies and toiletries, and all the things they valued in their lifetime. Try not to rush into making decisions. Later, you may have more ideas about what you would like to do with these things.