Am I still a mum or dad? Grieving for your only child
Losing a child no matter what the circumstances leaves an enormous gap. But for parents who have lost their only child, this gap is amplified to an extent that seems unthinkable. All the possibilities that the future held seem lost.
Being a childless parent means that you can feel isolated even among other bereaved parents who still have surviving children. Some parents describe it as feeling like a ‘misfit’ or ‘outsider’ – that there is no place for a parent without a child.
Like with all forms of grief, there are no easy fixes. It’s about learning to adapt to your new normal. You might have more grieving to do for the loss of the future you expected. You’ll have to find your own way to establish your identity as a parent – because no matter what, the love for your child will always be a part of you.
Parents who are further down the line say that it can be helpful to stay involved with your community. You could try taking on a bigger role in your religious group, for example. Or volunteer to help out at your local community centre.
There is also a lot to gain from taking time to nurture relationships with other people in your life. Finding passion in things like work, creative hobbies or sport can add another dimension and give you something to focus on – setting goals for yourself can add meaning to your days and weeks. Or maybe you want to be part of a cause that’s important to you.
Further reading
Join our group for bereaved parents and carers
Sharing what you’re going through can make this time a little bit more manageable. Join our private Facebook group for bereaved parents and carers, where you’ll find positive support and shared experiences. We'll share helpful resources in the group, as well as opportunities to get involved with the important work we do. The group is open to all parents and carers, no matter how old your child was, or whether your child died very recently or in the past.
CLIC Sargent Parents and Carers Bereavement Facebook group
CLIC Sargent has started this group to connect you with other parents and carers so you can support each other.
Join now