Holidays, birthdays and other special occasions can be especially hard for bereaved parents. The 19 children and two teachers who were killed in the Robb Elementary school shooting have all been laid to rest, but their families will spend the rest of their own lives grieving and healing.
Experts with The Compassionate Friends — a national bereavement resource with local chapters — say there is no timeline for grief. Parents may experience guilt, anger, loneliness and fear while they mourn.
If you have a friend or coworker experiencing grief, TCF recommends to stay in contact with them. Don't avoid saying the name of the child or person who died. If you knew the deceased, share a touching or funny memory about them to your grieving friend. Remember special holidays, birthdays, or death anniversaries by calling, sending a note or a gift that lets your friend know you remembered.
Avoid phrases like, "I know how you feel," and allow your friends to express their emotions openly. Avoid judgment of any kind.
Here's a list of local and national resources that also specialize in grief:
Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
The Dougy Center for Kids and Families
