Listed below are some ideas you could try;

• Balloon or lantern release
• Butterfly or Dove release
• Bake a cake
• Create a birthday book using photos and cards from previous birthdays
• Hold a memorial birthday party
• Visit a special place

If you are a family or friend you could ask if any help is needed, such as providing meals or looking after the children. You will find that mostly we want to know that our loved one has been acknowledged so why not leave flowers or a token gesture at the resting place, or help to organise a memorial. You can even donate to yours or the families favourite charity or a cause that they are close to.

 

Mother’s and Father’s Day    This can be particularly hard if a child has lost a mother or father or a parent has lost a child. It can feel like everyone else is celebrating this day except for you. The truth is that there are lots of other children, young people and adults who struggle with this day and just knowing that you’re not alone can really help. Most schools make Mother’s and Father’s day cards and sometimes token gifts. Often a child bereaved of a parent may feel more lonely, upset, angry or overwhelmed as they see their peers happily designing cards for their parents, whereas some will gain comfort in making one. The best way to approach this time is to be open and honest with the child. Ask them if they would like to make a card or choose something to do to mark the day, such as buying special flowers, a token gift, make their favorite meal or visit places you used to together. If asked the child will feel empowered to choose and think about what they’d like to do. Approach the school also to discuss with them whether they can help to talk to your child about how they feel in school at these times. So they can work on a plan to ensure the child feels supported even outside of the home. Sometimes adults think we know what is best and may often unintentionally go against a child’s wishes.