Father’s Day feels a lot different if you and your child are coping with loss. For many children whose dads have passed away, seeing people celebrate their own fathers only alerts them of the grief they still harbor. Like they’re left out of some cruel inside joke that the world has with all the other kids. Maybe there aren’t enough photos or memories about their father to alleviate any of the pain. But there are things you and your child can do to make the day better – even if it’s just a small amount.
Perhaps one of the hardest things that comes with death is the ever-present feeling of loneliness. Remind your child that they don’t have to feel alone, and that you are there to talk about anything. Their father may have passed, but you can keep them alive by sharing stories about them, or specific stories they used to tell them. It doesn’t even have to be a wildly vivid story. You’d be surprised how healing it is to just tell them about their father. How even sharing bits of them that they never would’ve heard before is still enough. Words and stories are the only things that keep someone’s spirit alive, so don’t be afraid to use them.
Surrounding yourself and your child with close friends and family members is another way to remind yourself that there are still people out there who love you. The people who are closest to you will know your pain and struggles. They will be more than willing to lend a helping hand when you need it the most. Father’s Day is about appreciating the people who love and take care of you. You’re not using these people as a crutch. You’re turning to them because you know they care about you, and what better way to spend the day than with the people you consider family? If you don’t have anyone to visit, you can also go to a local nursing home or senior center on Father’s Day. Sad as it sounds, the reality is that loneliness runs rampant there. Not only will you be able to see another father figure on Father’s Day, you’d be helping someone who wouldn’t have any visitors otherwise.
Instead of visiting their dad’s grave, try memorializing him using a different method. If their dad enjoyed watching Sunday football games, had certain movies he liked, or favorite dishes, engage in those activities with your child in his memory. Whatever their dad liked to do, you and your child can honor him by doing just that.
The feeling of loss is tremendously difficult during holidays, so dealing with grief on Father’s Day is completely normal. While these are just some of the ways to honor your child’s father on this day, there is no right or wrong way to go about doing so. After all, there is no right way to grieve except not to grieve at all.
Coping with the loss of a father is nothing easy. Coping with death and loss is a part of life, and however frequent it may be, it’s still a shock to the system when it occurs. With the McGruff Safe Kit, we want to make sure you’re not losing anyone close to you. A convenient way to store your child’s hair, DNA samples, fingerprints and photos, the no-cost kit is vital to the authorities if an emergency were to occur. Request your free kit today!
