Navigating Mother’s Day Through Grief and Remembrance
Both grieving a child or grieving a mom on Mother’s Day can be extremely difficult, so our counsellors have offered some suggestions for both of these circumstances: How to cope when bereaved of your child, followed by how to cope when you are bereaved of your mom.
We hope you find them useful.
How to cope with Mother’s Day when you are bereaved of your child
In today’s world, it is almost impossible to avoid the publicity during the lead up to Mother’s Day – cards in all the shops and marketing on most TV and radio channels. For a grieving mom, this is just another reminder of your unimaginable loss.
It doesn’t matter how long ago your child died; Mother’s Day is often one of the most difficult days to emotionally navigate. As with every other day you cope with, let the grief happen; the lead up and anticipation of Mother’s Day may be worse than the day itself. You know only too well that grief is now part of you and will manifest in different ways at different times.
If helpful, we have listed some strategies below:
- Acknowledge your feelings: It’s important to recognise and accept the emotions you’re experiencing, whether it’s sadness, anger, or a sense of emptiness. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and don’t try to suppress them.
- Remember your child: Don’t be frightened or put off from talking about your child. Say their name and remember your child in your own way. You could light a candle, visit their grave, or create a special memorial, either physical or online. Celebrate their life and the love that you shared.
- Be gentle with yourself: It’s okay to not feel okay. Give yourself permission to take a break from activities or events that feel overwhelming or triggering.
- Practice self-care: Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. This could involve exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, or engaging in activities that bring you joy.
- Connect with others who understand: There may be online communities or local support groups for parents who have lost children. Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can be comforting and validating.
- Seek support: Lean on your support system, whether it’s friends, family, people who have been through a similar experience, or reach out to Edward’s Trust for professional support. You don’t have to go through this alone, and it’s okay to ask for help.
Remember that grief is a personal journey, and there is no right or wrong way to cope with it. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you navigate this difficult time.
Memories will be with you forever; bonds will never be broken.
How to cope with Mother’s Day when you are bereaved of your mom
For many families, Mother’s Day is a special day filled with of love and happiness. For those who are grieving the death of their mom or mother figure Mother’s Day can be a very sad and difficult day with intense feelings of sadness, anger and loneliness.
Here are some ways you might like to approach the day:
- Plan ahead: Anticipating that Mother’s Day may be difficult allows you chance to discuss as a family how everyone would like to spend the time to remember mom.
- Action: Do something to honour your mom and in her memory. Create something special, a family collage of photos of her, photo albums or scrapbooks, a memory jar. Visit mom’s grave or visit a special place that she loved. Plant something in the garden in her memory.
- Reflect: Don’t avoid painful feelings, take time to look back at photographs, share stories and share memories of mom. Watch your mom’s favourite movies or TV. Cook mom’s favourite foods.
- Self-Care: Be gentle with yourself, it is okay not to do anything if it’s too painful. Spend time with family and friends who will understand how you may feel and how difficult the day is.
Please allow yourself time to feel and process emotions, do something special in memory of your mom, remember treasured memories and be kind and gentle to yourself and others.
