Let's get started...

Losing your mum is one of the most devastating experiences a young person can go through. For many, a mother represents love, comfort, and guidance, and her absence can leave a profound void. Grieving such a significant loss is a deeply personal journey, and while there's no "right" way to cope, there are strategies that can help you navigate this difficult time. Here are 10 tips to support you in dealing with the loss of your mum.

1. Let Yourself Grieve

Grief is a natural and necessary response to loss. It's important to allow yourself to feel whatever emotions arise, whether it's sadness, anger, confusion, or even numbness. Remember, there's no set timeline for grief, and everyone experiences it differently. It's okay to cry, and it's equally okay to feel moments of calm or joy.

2. Talk to Someone You Trust

Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can provide comfort and support. This could be a family member, close friend, teacher, or counsellor. Talking about your mum, your memories, and how you're feeling can help you process your grief. If speaking out loud feels too difficult, consider writing in a journal or creating art to express your emotions.

3. Celebrate Her Memory

Honouring your mum's memory can help you feel connected to her. Some ideas include:

• Creating a scrapbook or photo album of your favourite memories together.
• Planting flowers or a tree in her memory.
• Cooking her favourite meal or continuing a tradition she loved.

These acts of remembrance can provide comfort and a way to keep her spirit alive in your life.

4. Accept Support

During this time, people around you may want to help but not know how. Let them support you in ways that feel right, whether it's by listening, helping with daily tasks, or simply being there when you need company. Accepting support doesn't mean you're weak, it means you're human.

5. Take Care of Yourself

Grief can take a toll on your body as well as your emotions, so prioritising self-care is essential. Focus on:

• Eating balanced meals to nourish your body.
• Getting enough sleep to recharge and cope better with emotions.
• Staying active with light exercise, like walking or yoga, to reduce stress.

Taking care of yourself physically helps you build resilience during this tough time.

6. Keep a Routine

Losing your mum can make life feel chaotic and unpredictable. Sticking to a routine can provide stability and a sense of normality. Try to:

• Keep up with school or extracurricular activities.
• Schedule regular times for meals and rest.
• Make space for hobbies or interests that bring you joy.

Routines can help you regain control and focus while allowing room for grief.

7. Express Yourself Creatively

Creative expression can be a powerful outlet for your emotions. Consider:

• Writing poetry or letters to your mum.
• Drawing, painting, or crafting something inspired by her.
• Playing music or creating a playlist of songs that remind you of her.

These activities can help you process your feelings and find moments of peace.

8. Seek Professional Help If Needed

If your grief feels overwhelming or persistent, seeking help from a professional can make a big difference. A therapist or counsellor can provide guidance and tools to help you cope. Organisations like Cruse Bereavement Support or Childline also offer specialised help for young people dealing with loss. Don't hesitate to reach out, asking for help is a sign of strength.

9. Connect with Others Who Understand

Sometimes, talking to people who've experienced similar losses can be incredibly comforting. Look for:

• Support groups for teenagers who've lost a parent.
• Online forums or communities that share advice and encouragement.
• Stories or blogs from others who've gone through similar experiences.

Knowing you're not alone can make the grieving process feel less isolating.

10. Allow Yourself to Find Joy

It's normal to feel guilty about finding happiness after losing someone so important. However, finding moments of joy doesn't mean you're forgetting your mum, it's a sign of healing. Allow yourself to enjoy time with friends, laugh, and pursue new interests. Your mum would want you to live a full and happy life, even as you carry her memory with you.

Conclusion

Grieving the loss of your mum is an incredibly personal and challenging journey, but with time and support, healing is possible. By allowing yourself to feel, seeking help when needed, and finding ways to honour her memory, you can navigate this difficult time with strength and love. Remember, you're not alone, there are people and resources to support you every step of the way.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.