Bereavement and child guardianship

[stormyseas123]

My best friend is dying. He has a child who's mother sadly passed away a few years ago and as he has no siblings or parents to take the reins so my partner and I will soon become his child's guardians. We have 2 children of our own and I'm struggling to find anyone who's been through a similar situation. I'm splitting myself in 3 and struggling to help not only a 10 year old who's about to lose their only remaining parent but also our existing children who are of similar ages and are struggling to adapt to this change in our own family dynamic. Everything I find online seems to relate to grandparents who have taken on the parental responsibility. I guess I'm just desperately hoping to find someone out there who's been through it and can tell me that everything will be ok. With everything that's currently going on in the world at the moment, all three kids are so unsettled and between that and my own grief at watching my best friend disappear before my eyes I just can't see the wood for the trees.

[stormyseas123]

Thank you all for your kind replies x

[Soontobe60]

I would contact social services too. They can point you in the direction of accessing support for you and the child.

[MrsMcGarry]

Try Winston’s wish.

They are a charity that helps bereaved kids and whilst they don’t explicitly say they help non family carers I’m sure they will have had some experience

[Noneyerbuisness11234]

No advice here sorry but gratitude to u doing such an amazing thing fair play to u many others wouldn't shows how caring u r u deserve a 🙌🙌🙌hope all goes well op with the situation 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[OhioOhioOhio]

No advice. Except keep going forward. You sound wonderful.