Carousel by Susan C. Shaw | Child Loss & Grief Support
Susan C. Shaw | Child Loss & Grief Support@bereavementmom If you’re a bereaved parent, you know. You say their name. You tell a funny story. You answer the “How many kids do you have?” question truthfully. And suddenly you can FEEL it. The discomfort. The frantic search for the right thing to say. The desperate attempt to change the subject. Here’s the thing: I know my grief can make people uncomfortable. I know talking about my dead son can make people uncomfortable. I’m going to talk about him anyway. Because William is still my son. His stories are still funny. His life still belongs in the conversation. And I will always notice the people who are willing to stay there with me. Bereaved parents: what’s the fastest you’ve ever made a room uncomfortable?
Comments
A preview Instagram ships with the post — 15 of 213 public comments.
@saartjeee91 Sometimes when I talk about my pregnancy of the child I lost at 23 weeks, I feel I’m making people uncomfortable. As if it’s a subject that cannot be discussed or they’re waiting for me to break down to tears…
· 1 likes
@cathybradfordrf 👏👏👏wow!! This is soooo accurate!!!
· 1 likes
@life_after_you_movie This is honestly so sad because grieving can feel so lonely. Nobody prepares us for it and nobody prepares us to be supportive for others who are experiencing it 🤍
· 1 likes
@medinara777 It's normal that people are inconfortable BUT talking about is Not a bad thing because it keeps that person Alive in spirit! ❤️❤️ Elsa je t'aime ma belle amie!! ❤️
@maryacurran Most have stayed in the conversation to be fair. The few that haven’t were stand out for me. My daughter had severe mental health illness. Someone asked, is it a relief!!!!!
@lucetteromy My first brutal question was a stranger asking me if I was pregnant, I responded no I’m postpartum. They congratulated me and asked me how old my baby was. I said he died after birth but would’ve been 3 months, they just stared at me and then walked away.
@melyagu This is year 4 of her not being with us anymore and I am really leaning into the awkwardness. Starting to really love the awkwardness! Haha
@wordsbyryan My son died 7 years ago, and I dropped my first dead kid joke about 6 months later. I can't remember the joke, but I do remember how oddly satisfying it was to feel the oxygen get sucked out of the room.
· 1 likes
@tarahdillingham I really can't stand the 'You're so strong'... 😢
· 2 likes
@raisingliam2026 Tomorrow marks 8 months since my daughter passed. She died after giving birth, and I’m raising the baby and his brother. When people ask how many kids do I have I proudly say 4 my daughter who passed, my daughter who is alive and my two grandsons that I’m raising. People think I’m so strong but they don’t see what I go through everyday. It’s almost 8 months and I’m still numb and an emotional mess. 😞
· 1 likes
@empresslovesjesus I don't even get it, think it's all crap
@mrsbuckwilder Preach! Thank you!
· 1 likes
@tinypawshomestead Always and forever since that day I give grace and know exactly how you all feel cuz I feel it too! Spencer was and still is my son.😢❤️
@deneevandyke Or the silence, that absolutely kills me
· 2 likes
@ske521see Keeping it real. Keeping it awkward. Never going to stop.
· 1 likes