How to remember angel babies at Christmas…
Christmas can be a time of joy, but the loss of a baby can make Christmas a time of sadness, stress and other emotions.
Whether bereaved recently or many years ago, memories of Christmas past or how you had imagined they were going to be can easily resurface and bring sadness.
It’s important to know that what you are feeling is normal and understandable.
Christmas is deemed to be a happy time and it’s quite common to ignore sad feelings to avoid bringing down the mood of family and others around us.
Parents experiencing their first Christmas without their baby may feel like hibernating. And it’s common to not want to be sociable or feel the pressure to ‘put on a brave face’.
Hidden tears and secret pain is not uncommon. After all, does a ‘perfect’ Christmas include sadness and tears?
It’s unrealistic to expect Christmas to go by without some difficult emotions.
Here’s how to remember angel babies at Christmas:
Plan a time of remembrance
Make space in your day to remember your baby. Perhaps light a candle, look at photos and reminisce. Raise a glass and celebrate the time you shared with your baby and the precious memories you had together. If that means you shed a tear, then so be it. It’s far healthier and more respectful to acknowledge the sadness you feel not having them with you than trying to soldier on, ignoring the elephant in the room.
Start new traditions
You may wish to change traditions altogether because it feels too difficult. Maybe consider starting some new ones.
Some Christmas decorations have meaning, such as the fairy on the tree or a special bauble. These can be used as a way of remembering. Or if you have other children, they could make something special for their baby brother or sister, perhaps with a small ceremony around placing it.
…But I don’t want to upset the children:
That’s understandable, but let’s look at this a little closer. What are we doing when we remember loved ones in this way?
Well, we demonstrate that it’s okay to be sad and that it’s okay to cry. Children learn through experience that emotions are normal and that they pass and they will learn compassion and empathy. They also learn it’s okay to talk about their baby sibling.
I have been a counsellor since 2007 and had numerous occasions where adult clients are still confused about the circumstances of a loved one’s death. When it’s a baby who is no longer with us, grief and loss take on another dimension.
Don’t make it taboo to talk about your baby.
It’s far healthier to let children see that sadness is normal and that dying doesn’t mean you disappear from people’s lives. Instead they are remembered and loved and there’s a place for them within the family. Allowing children to be involved with remembrance in this way will soon become a more positive and beneficial experience for you all.
After your Christmas remembrance, carry on with Christmas the best you can.
Sadness at Christmas is difficult, but normal. Acknowledge it and don’t be frightened of it. As with all emotions, it will pass.
If you need some help managing your emotions, do not struggle on alone.
Naomi