Welcome to the Parenting After Child Loss board...

[3 ladybugs]

TessToo said it well with:

Honestly, we never really want to welcome any new members to this board. We'd rather all live in a world where no more beloved family members die and no more parents struggle with the difficult and emotionally draining task of building a family while important family members are missing.

But the real world is not as happy a place as we'd like it to be. Babies, children, mommies, daddies...so many family members are lost and so many are left behind to grieve...and struggle...and somehow carry on the family.

That's why this board exists. We are a group of parents in all phases of loss and grieving. We support each other in times of struggle and in times of joy. And while we hate to "welcome" you to our board...we never want you to feel "unwelcome" either.

If you are a new member to our family...and if you are in need of a starting point, there are two simple first steps. Post your dates on our sticky "date thread" up at the top of the forum. Post all the dates you are comfortable sharing. We celebrate them all...life and death, happy and sad.

And then post a thread introducing yourself here. Please feel free to post, say hello, ask questions. Jump in as slowly or as quickly as you want. We are here for you, eager to learn about your family, support you and share with you.

I know it's a big step posting here for the first time. It can be scary meeting new people, opening up your pain to them, even admitting that you really do belong on a board like this. I promise, the first post is the hardest. Once you let us know you are here, we are waiting with open arms and hearts to greet you and welcome you.

We still wish that you weren't here and had no reason to even know about this board, much less join it. But we are ready and waiting to welcome you warmly to our community, our circle of friends, our family.

This board has been very quiet lately. Please don't think that is because there is no on in your shoes. Contrary many people on this board are in your shoes and we are all here to support you in any way we can. If there is anything I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.

Here are some threads that may help you:
The Grieving Person's Bill of Rights, and the Grieving Care Giver
Article on How to Help Grieving Children (all ages included)

BC-3 Ladybugs