One day at a time

Grief tends to come in waves. It is normal to have good days and bad days.  Some parents feel bad on days when they cope well at work. But coping well doesn’t mean that you no longer care, or that you have forgotten your  baby.

You may worry about breaking down in front of your colleagues, but crying can  be a helpful release. It may also help your colleagues to realise that you are grieving, even if you appear to be all right most of the time.

If you suddenly feel overwhelmed, take a break if you can: maybe go for a short
walk or find a quiet space to be alone. You may also find it helpful to find somewhere private to talk to a sympathetic colleague, phone a family member, or phone the Sands Helpline. If things are really getting on top of you, it may be
sensible to go home for the rest of the day.

“It made such a difference, just being able to talk to someone on the Sands Helpline while I was at work. It helped me to get through some difficult days.” Father 

If you find that being back at work is simply too difficult, talk to your manager
or employer about having some more time off. You could also talk to your GP
and see if you can have sick leave.