How to deal with the loss of a child

The loss of a child is an overwhelming sorrow and anyone who has lost a child will carry pain over their lifetime. In time, the intensity of the sorrow will lessen, but waves of loss will emerge, often unexpectedly, in memory of the child.

There is also likely to be emerging secondary losses and stresses too, for example, when a parent is asked how many children they have and the struggle with how to answer it, or the thought of the loss of a grandchild to the child that has died. 

In spite of the pain that is carried,  many people find resourses and inner strength and some people find that they more aware of suffering in other people, which can make them more compassionate. This does not stop the painful feelings but the compassion sits side-by-side with the grief.

If the pain is very raw, individuals might think about seeing a specialist grief psychologist. However, it is normal, particularly close to the loss that the pain is overwhelming.