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Bereavement

Find bereavement help and support from other Mumsnetters. See also your choices after baby loss.

Friend's toddler has passed away

27 replies

smackapacca · 14/02/2012 20:46

I didn't know whether to post.

I have my son, and I can't stop breathing him in. My friend no longer does. I can't imagine how it feels. The grief is so raw there's no words and nothing helpful i can do. He was 2.

Is there?

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Popoozle · 14/02/2012 20:50

I'm so sorry for your friend. How awful Sad.

As for what you can do, all I'd suggest is to make sure she knows that you'll be there when she needs to talk. Maybe send her a message to say how sorry you are & that she can call you whenever she wants to. Other than that, I don't know either. Sorry Sad.

smackapacca · 14/02/2012 20:54

I did send a text. Then I saw her later in the day. Immediate family are near. From scanning these boards it would seem that I could be more useful once the immediate situation has passed, and people begin to move on. I have no idea.

Thank-you for your reply.

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Popoozle · 14/02/2012 20:57

Yes, that makes sense. With bereavement in general there does tend to be a time, usually after the funeral, when the rest of the world "gets back to normal" as it were. That may well be when she needs her friends the most. Take care.

smokinaces · 14/02/2012 21:08

It is heartbreaking. Be there to talk to her. Text her every couple of days. Be on FB chat if she needs you. Send her a card. Send some flowers. Ask about the funeral.

Talk about her child. Every single time you speak to her. Dont be afraid to talk about them.

My friend lost her toddler suddenly a month after his 2nd birthday - my son and hers were a week apart in age. This was 3.5 years ago nearly - and we talk about him all the time still. Like you said, in the immediate aftermath friends and family are around but they can tail off. Be there for her as much as she needs you.

Make her a casserole. Offer to have her other children. Drop round tea, sugar and milk on the doorstep if you are near enough. Sit with her. Hold her hand. Agree that life is shit and unfair.

Dont be afraid about talking about your own child - but equally be aware that she may not want to hear just yet. Let her lead that - if she asks about your toddler, answer like you would before - dont be afraid to talk to her, she wont want to feel isolated.

If you see something and it made you think of her child, or her, buy it, photograph it, send it to her.

I'm so sorry to hear about her loss Sad

ellenjames · 14/02/2012 21:25

this has made me so sad, just be there for her xx

smackapacca · 14/02/2012 21:35

Thanks so much.

My ds and hers really like the same 'taggie'. When I saw my sons I was a bit mesmerised.

This advice is much appreciated. I work with old ill people. They pass away. It's the natural order. Noone should ever have to bury their child. Just so awful.

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QuickLookBusy · 14/02/2012 21:47

smaccapacca I'm so sorry for your friend and for you.

I would second everything, everyone else has posted, especially smokinaces

Last year one of my best friends lost her teenage DD. It has been a terrible time, unfortuately that is the only way I can describe it. I would say yes, be there for your friend 100%. She will probably go through stages where she will want you around and other times she will want to be on her own. I found this hard initially because I was so very worried about her, but accepted she needed time on her own to process what has happened.

We all learnt what the word "shock" actually means. When a death like this happens it is like someone has physically hit you and there is a feeling of utter disbelief, sadness and pain. You have to look after yourself too. I ended up getting some help from a counsellor and it really helped me. I was so anxious that something terrible was going to happen to my own DDs I really couldn't function. It is very natural to feel this, but do get help if you feel you aren't coping.xx

chipmonkey · 14/02/2012 21:48

smacca, just be there. I lost my baby dd in October and there simply is no greater pain. Keep texting, keep phoning, make dinners, make tea. Talk about her ds. She will probably want to hibernate for a while.
You could direct her to our thread. here if she'd like to join us. We have all lost children, some babies, some toddlers, some young adults. We hold each other's hands and help each other along.

MiaAlexandrasmummy · 14/02/2012 22:08

My little girl died totally unexpectedly almost 4 months ago. People were amazing - heartfelt cards, regular texts and emails really touched me, although phonecalls and visits were harder, and remain so. I would recommend just to continue to be there, just throughout. Friends who just made an initial email, and now are only calling me again, I almost resent... I feel I have to explain my grief journey, and make them feel good by saying I am coping... Those who consistently just said, "hi, thinking of you both and Mia" are much easier to approach.

If your friend is like me, she won't ask for help. She will know people want to, but they can't relieve the unbearable pain of loss. But if you can keep offering ideas or visits, she might agree. And keeping busy helps a bit.

And yes, please do acknowledge her beautiful boy. So important. She might cry, but that doesn't matter. She might laugh at special memories or photos you have. Letting her know that he existed, that he mattered, that he continues to live on in your memories, will mean a lot.

Your son might continue to talk about his friend. We love hearing these stories, where a little friend continues to play with Mia, taking her on adventures; another friend sent a big hug and kiss to the stars this morning when her name was mentioned... Do share anything like this, it will mean so much.

smackapacca · 14/02/2012 22:17

Ok. This is really helping. Not that I feel I need help iykwim. My son (same age) is too young to know anything. My 4yo dd however needed an explanation as to what had happened (she'd normally see him today)

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smackapacca · 14/02/2012 22:56

I've just been reading your thread Mia's mummy. She is beautiful. I'm in pieces.

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MiaAlexandrasmummy · 14/02/2012 23:07

It helps me to write about Mia. It might help your friend too, when she is ready. There are some amazing, generous and kind people on MN.

MyLittleMiracle · 14/02/2012 23:23

Something to tell her, when she panics (which she most probably will at some point) that she doesnt remember this or that about him, tell her to close her eyes and he is still there watching her, and as long as she has love in her heart for him, he will live on, inside of her, because although he is no longer touchable, he is still there with her.

My heart goes out to her, and all those who have loved and lost, x

smackapacca · 14/02/2012 23:28

I just had a session of heart wrenching sobbing on behalf of her and all of you that have Lost children.

It makes no sense whatsoever.

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QuickLookBusy · 14/02/2012 23:32

MyLittleMiracle that is such lovely advice.

I think you are right, the little ones may not be physically there, but they are carried around by everyone who loved them, especially their Mummys and Daddys. They are with them forever, wherever they go, whatever they see or do. Their child is with them.

smackapacca · 28/02/2012 21:01

Hello again. The funeral was last week. It was so beautiful but just so so sad. I won't be able to listen to the songs played without crying I don't think. The parents were amazingly strong. Their other child was there but oblivious to the meaning of the event.

I drank too much at the wake Blush

I think everyone is still in shock.

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MiaAlexandrasmummy · 29/02/2012 08:51

Thanks for the update. So sad.

You are right, your friends and their families are probably still in shock. However, now the funeral is over and that focus is removed, they may suddenly realise just how their life has changed irrevocably. If you can, this is the time to let them know you are their friend, whether it's dropping in with cake or a meal, sending a "love you all" text or whatever.

I asked if people could send photos or their written memories of Mia to my sister, and it was wonderful seeing glimpses of Mia through their eyes - a very precious gift. That might be something you could offer to do for your friend if she likes the idea but isn't up to handling all the admin around it.

twolittlebundles · 29/02/2012 09:01

Wonderful advice here already.

I would just add to put anniversaries in your diary- remembering her ds on his birthday and other dates of significance help to remind her that he was real and he did exist and he is remembered by you.

smackapacca · 06/03/2012 18:15

I saw his parents last night. They are broken. It's awful - I don't know how to be around them. I can't believe I'm one of those people who find it difficult to be around grieving parents. How fucking selfish.

They physically have the weight of grief on their shoulders. It's palpable. Sad

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MiaAlexandrasmummy · 06/03/2012 22:37

Poor them. Grief is so powerful.

If you can, stick it out. It will mean so much to your friends- it is far better to be there and say "I don't know what to say, but I'm hurting for you" than to disappear. Some people (admittedly very few) did that to me, and it is still awkward between us. But your support doesn't have to be physical all the time. Texts and emails are also helpful, as they provide your friends with your thoughts of love, as well as the space to respond when and if they want.

puds11 · 06/03/2012 22:43

your not selfish at all. I think that in situations as devestating as this, people dont know what to say, and dont want to say anything incase it triggers an emotional response from the bereaved. Just try to be a constant on the periphery of their lives so they know you are there and your thinking of them. There will come a time when you will know exactly what to say or do to make things a little easier. I am very sorry for their loss

smackapacca · 06/03/2012 22:45

I want to do something. I have no idea what though.

I might cook something next week.

Argh this is just so shit. I am so aware that I still have my son. They should be collecting their 2 children from nursery just like I was today.

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puds11 · 06/03/2012 22:47

you could maybe make them some fresh healthy meals that could be frozen and defrosted with ease? This might help reduce the some of the pressures of everyday life

smackapacca · 06/03/2012 22:50

I was thinking bolognese - their 3yo would like that. Well, everyone likes it I think?? It can be frozen easily - put with pasta/jackets etc?

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puds11 · 06/03/2012 22:54

i think that would be a really good idea. It gives them one less thing to worry about.