Supporting Grieving Children on Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day can be a very difficult time of year for bereaved children and young people.
Here are some ways that you can help your child to cope with grief and remember their mum on Mother’s Day. These are just suggestions, remember to do what you feel is right for your family and be kind to yourself, there is no right or wrong way to remember a mum on Mother’s Day.
Talk to your children, as a family, about Mother’s day. Make plans, find out what they would like to do and involve them in the choices and decisions. You may want to continue old traditions, if you had them, or do something different. Try to include everyone's wishes where practical but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Taking time to remember their mum may help. You could:
- Listen to her favourite music, have her favourite meal or do something that you all enjoyed doing together.
- Look at photographs and share your favourite memories of mum.
- Buy mum’s favourite flowers and leave them in a special place or at home where you can see them.
- Make a card or draw a picture to remember mum. You could write a message in the card and put it in a memory box.
- Have some quiet time, for example, by going for a walk.
Your child may wish to recognise other important people who have supported them such as a grandma, sister or aunt. Some children may want to appreciate their dad on Mother’s Day.
Share how you are feeling with those closest to you and encourage your children to do the same - don’t hide your grief. Take time out if you need it. Switch off from Social Media if posts about Mother’s day become too upsetting/overwhelming. Sharing your grief can make it less overwhelming - friends and family can offer a good listening ear or may be able to help in other, more practical ways.
Lastly, remind children that it is okay to have fun, laugh and enjoy life while remembering mum on Mothers day.
If your child or young person is grieving and needs support, contact us: support@slideaway.org