LifeChangers

Promoting Success in Personal, Marriage and Family Life

Dealing with the Loss of a Child

"Life will never be the same nor should it be."

There are, however, some very important things you can do to work through your loss and to rebuild your life.

Here are their Top 10 suggestions:

1. Recognize that losing a child is one of the biggest shocks a person can go through. It is normal to feel confused, depressed, angry, lonely... It is part of the grief cycle

2. Acknowledge your loss. Talk about it, read about others who have lost children, write about it. Don't deny your loss.

3. Admit your anger to yourself, to others and to God. See anger

4. Tell your story to your family, friends. Tell it over and over. It is an important part of working through denial. Support groups can be a real help -see below.

5. Exercise - It is an important part of recovering emotionally.

6. Get counseling help. You have been through a big loss. Let experienced people show you the way to recovery.

7. Comfort someone else. Listen to their story. Avoid pat answers. Be a friend.

8. Look to the Lord. God knows all about your pain. He didn't cause your loss, but He does care about you. He lost His Son, too.

9. Tell your story again.

10. Make a living memorial. Make something good come out of your loss. Sponsor a starving child, support a ministry, reach out to hurting people...

Want more help?

Life Changers Counseling - On-line, Telephone or Phoenix offices

Compassionate Friends - support groups for parents who lose children

GriefNet - information and various support groups