28/03/2025
Mother’s Day and Grief
Grieving a child or grieving a mother on Mother’s Day can be extremely difficult. In March there is so much publicity leading up to the day and this can be such an emotional time and another reminder of the loss you have experienced.
Coping with Mother’s Day when you are grieving your child
It doesn’t matter how long ago your child died; Mother’s Day is often one of the most difficult days to emotionally navigate.
Here are some things you can do to help:
• Acknowledge your feelings: Accept the emotions you’re experiencing, whether it’s sadness, anger, or a sense of emptiness. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and don’t try to suppress them.
• Remember your child: Talk about your child. Say their name and remember your child in your own way. You could light a candle, visit their grave, or create a special memorial, either physical or online. Celebrate their life and the love that you shared.
• Be kind with yourself: Give yourself permission to slow down and take a break from activities or events that feel overwhelming.
• Self-care: Go for a walk in nature, let the natural light shine onto your eyes, and listen to nature. Snuggle up with your fur babies.
• Connect with others who understand: Friends and family, online communities or local support groups for parents who have lost children. Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can be comforting and validating.
Coping with Mother’s Day when you are grieving your mother
For many families, Mother’s Day is a special day filled with of love and happiness. For those who are grieving the death of their mother or guardian on Mother’s Day it can be a very sad and difficult day with intense feelings of sadness, anger and loneliness.
Here are some ways that might help you navigate the day:
• Plan ahead: Discuss as a family how everyone would like to spend the time to remember mum.
• Action: Do something to honour your mum and in her memory. Create something special, a family collage of photos of her, photo albums or scrapbooks, a memory jar. Visit mum’s grave or visit a special place that she loved. Plant something in the garden in her memory. Write her a letter. Watch a movie you both loved.
• Reflect: Don’t avoid painful feelings, take time to look back at photographs, share stories and share memories of mum. Watch your mum’s favourite movies or TV. Cook one of mum’s favourite meals. Light a candle for her.
• Self-Care: Be gentle with yourself, it is okay not to do anything if it’s too painful. Spend time with family and friends who will understand how you may feel and how difficult the day is.
