13/03/2026
Our tips to help cope with grief this Mother's day 🌸 🕯
If you’ve lost your mum, or a child, Mother’s Day and the build-up to it can be a very challenging time. We’ve gathered some coping strategies that may help you navigate Mother’s Day.
Mothers, or mother-like figures, often hold a special place in people’s hearts. They tend to have nurtured you, raised you and eventually supported you in your journey into the wider world. When they die, you may find that you miss all the security, safety and unconditional love they provided. And, unlike their birthday or the anniversary of their death, this isn’t something that you can quietly deal with on your own and in your own way. Instead, the whole country can feel like they are joining together to celebrate. If you were close, this can leave you feeling isolated. But if you didn’t know her, or if you had a relationship that was difficult or estranged, this might stir up feelings of regret or sadness. Similarly, parents who are grieving for their child may also feel isolated. While there may be comfort in remembering the bond you created with your child, it can also be heartbreaking to have to face your reality without them by your side.
As the day approaches, you may worry as you wonder how to face it. Should you ignore it? Should you feel sad or filled with regret? Or should you find a way to acknowledge or celebrate it? It’s quite possible that how you approach the day now may change over the years. Often its important to acknowledge that the anticipation of the day can be worse than the days themselves so recognise that the upcoming days or weeks might be harder than usual. Remember that what's right for one person might not be the same for another, and that’s why it’s important to do what feels right for you.
❤️ Listen to your heart: Whatever your situation and however you feel, make sure you listen to your own heart. Grief is such an individual and personal experience. Only by listening to yourself will you find the right way for you. Be kind to yourself: Don’t place yourself under too much pressure to be “OK”. The emotions will come and go, often seeming overwhelming. Allow yourself to feel and experience your grief, and know that in time, the overwhelmingness will eventually recede. Grief can be exhausting so look after yourself, emotionally and physically. If sleeping has become difficult, have a guilt-free afternoon nap. Consider taking the day off from social media and do things that make you happy whether that’s baking, watching a Netflix show, going on a walk or simply having a lazy day.
🕯 Reflection: Bereavement can often bring up feelings of regret, such as wishing you had spent more time together. If you’re experiencing similar thoughts, try instead to focus on the time you did have and how special that was for you both. Have some quiet time to reflect on the good times you’ve shared. Look through photo albums or listen to their favourite music.
✉️ Write a letter: Sometimes getting our feelings out on paper can help us to process the complex emotions you are feeling. Writing a letter to the person who has died may feel strange, but it can be a way of validating your emotions and feeling closer to them.
🪴 Gardening: Gardens and the outdoors are often calming and healing spaces and tend to be a wonderful place to reflect on your loss. Consider planting flowers or trees in memory of a loved one, this also allows you to return in months and years to come to see how they have grown.
☎️ Support groups and talking: You may find comfort in talking to others in a similar position. This could be a friend who has been bereaved or a support group locally or online. It is also likely that other people around you are trying to cope with similar feelings too. Try talking about the person who has died with others, lighting a candle in their memory or doing something with a loved one that reminds you of them. If, for whatever reason, you can't be with fellow grievers in person, make time to talk. A phone or video call to reminisce about the person you're missing could help alleviate some feelings of loneliness.
