Grieving parents can fall into blaming themselves for their child's death although it may have been completely out of their control. The recrimination is especially painful when there are “what ifs.” What if we had been there? What if I had taken the keys away from the kid? Those are the worst types of incidents that drive people crazy. Sometimes it may feel like the sadness will never let up.
But there are other ways to end your suffering besides suicide. While your feelings of loss can be frightening and overwhelming, they are normal reactions to loss. Accepting them as part of the grieving process and allowing yourself to feel what you feel is necessary for healing.
Healing can be achieved by developing coping skills and learning how to manage your feelings in a different way. The single most important factor in coping with loss is having the support of other people. Connecting to others will help you heal. To have someone believe in you - like a friend, family member, therapist - eases the suffering. Draw loved ones close, rather than avoiding them, and accept the assistance that is offered. If you follow a religious tradition, embrace the comfort its mourning rituals can provide. Spiritual activities that are meaningful to you – such as praying, meditating, or going to church – can offer solace. Grief can feel very lonely, even when you have loved ones around. In such case, sharing your sorrow with others who have experienced similar losses can help. To find a bereavement support group in your area, contact local hospitals, hospices, funeral homes, and counseling centers. If your grief feels like too much to bear, call a mental health professional with experience in grief counseling.
It’s agonizing to lose a child. I lost my son Danny on July 1, 2008 to an overdose. He was 22. In dedication to him I formed The Prayer Registry for parents who have lost children.
ReplyDeleteThis free website service is dedicated to all of the families who have lost children, whatever age that child was when they passed. This site registers the anniversary day of our children's crossing. The members of this online community, the Prayer Team, have the opportunity to honor their child's legacy and connect with other bereaved parents to participate in world-wide group prayer for every registered loved one on the anniversary day of their passing. To learn more see my website: www.sheriperl.com.
To register a child for prayer, email Sheri at theprayerregistry@gmail.com. I need only your child’s full name along with the date that he or she passed to ensure that your child receives prayer every year on the anniversary day of his or her passing.