Grieving is a long, sad process that can sometimes feel like the weight of the world is pushing down on you. Losing a parent is like losing a part of yourself, and at times, you might feel like it’s too difficult to carry on with your day. By going through this as a parent yourself, the weight doubles. While occupied with looking after your child, you must also look after yourself and allow yourself time to grieve.
In This Article
Ask Friends and Family for Help
Your friends and family are there for more than just good times. Dealing with the loss of your parent can take its toll, and sometimes, you need a break from the world. Ask a family member or a friend to step in and look after your child for an evening, allowing you to process your emotions in peace. Hide in bed, get outside, or take a trip to their grave – whatever way you deal with grief, let your loved ones give you the time to do it.
Explain the Loss to Your Child
How you explain the loss of your parent to your child depends on their age. If they are a baby or a very young toddler, then, of course, they won’t understand what has happened. If they are a little older, however, explaining to them that a family member has passed away will help them understand the meaning of death. An older child will also be able to understand why you might not be as proactive as you usually are.
Take Time off Work
You might feel it’s better to push yourself and suppress your thoughts, but this will only extend your grief. Allow yourself the time off work to come to terms with what has happened and work through your emotions. Remember, grief isn’t a straight line, and there will be both challenging days and easy days, and it’s all about getting through it and allowing yourself to feel. Even if you can only afford a day or two at home, it’s better to have that time to yourself.
Seek Help
If you are struggling intensely with the loss of your parent, then it might be time to seek the help of a professional, especially if your child is suffering, too. If you find that you don’t have the time to go to a therapist, then outpatient mental health treatment from hopestreetheals.com could be the route for you. Talking to someone you don’t know helps to guide you through your emotions and healthily manage your mental stability.
Talk About Your Deceased Parent
When a parent dies, you might want to push away any memories or thoughts about them. By talking about them, however, you keep them alive. Bring them up to your child whenever you can, so the memory of them stays sharp in their mind. You don’t just have to talk about all the good stuff, too – it’s just as beneficial to talk about silly mistakes! Smile, laugh, and cry for them, and you’ll realize that they’re never truly gone.
