Blog | Page 2 of 19 | Winston's Wish

Young child looking to parent who is talking to them.

Telling a child someone has died – our support and guidance

28th March 2025 Advice

Telling a child someone has died may be the hardest thing you ever do and often one of the first questions is ‘how much should I tell them?’ It’s normal to worry about making things worse by saying too much or the wrong thing but remember the worst has already ...

Supporting neurodivergent grieving children

20th March 2025 Advice

Grief is a unique experience, and each person will experience this differently, no matter their age, location, cognitive ability or neurotype. Often, grief support focuses on word-based ways to work through grief, such as writing in a diary or talking to a loved one or professional who will listen. Whilst ...

Navigating Mother’s Day as a widowed mum: Rachel’s story

12th March 2025 Blog, Stories

Five years ago, Rachel’s husband Nick died suddenly while she was eight months pregnant. As Mother’s Day approaches, the WAY ambassador shares her experience of widowed parenting, juggling a career and looking after her own mental wellbeing… I’ve always made sure that Nick is part of Mabel’s life. She doesn’t feel ...

Young boy cuddling toy at bedtime and being comforted by parent

Helping grieving children experiencing nightmares and sleep difficulties

12th March 2025 Advice

Most children will have nightmares at some point in their childhood, this is a normal experience whether they have been bereaved or not. We know that nightmares can stop, happen less often, and begin to feel less frightening. Nightmares often disturb sleep and can feel scary, confusing, and disorientating for children. ...

Dos and Don’ts: What to say to a young person who is grieving

27th February 2025 Advice

When a child or young person you know has experienced the death of someone close to them, it can be difficult to know what to say. It’s natural to want to comfort them, but sometimes common condolences can actually be upsetting or hurtful. So, we’ve created a list of dos ...

Winston’s Wish Partners With Teapot Trust To Boost Bereavement Support For Chronically Ill Children

26th February 2025 Blog, News, Press Releases

Winston’s Wish is delighted to be partnering with Teapot Trust, a mental health charity that provides support and improves the lives of children living with chronic health conditions through art therapy. Together, the charities will signpost children and young people to one another’s services and provide mutual training for staff ...

How to help a child grieving the death of a pet

13th February 2025 Advice

Pets offer comfort and companionship, so no matter what mood they are in, children find support and security from their animal friend. When a child experiences the death of a pet, like the death of a person, it can be a very difficult time for them. It's important to be ...

Navigating Valentine’s Day as a widowed parent

11th February 2025 Advice, Blog

Valentine’s Day can be a tough date for widowed parents, stirring up memories of love and loss. But as many members of the peer support network at WAY Widowed and Young have found, it can also be an opportunity to reclaim the day, whether through self-care, celebrating friendship or showering ...

What to send to a grieving child or young person

27th January 2025 Advice

As a family we received over 100 sympathy cards, only 1 was for me. Henri, Youth Ambassador It can be difficult to know what to say, but sending a card of support to a child or young person following the death of someone close to them can help them know that they ...

Two men hugging in a loft style apartment - parent mental health day, WAY, Widowed and Young

Parent Mental Health Day: Tips from WAY members on prioritising mental health

24th January 2025 Advice, Blog

To mark Parent Mental Health Day (30 January), our friends at WAY Widowed and Young are shining a light on the strength, wisdom and resilience of widowed parents who are caring for bereaved children. Navigating the challenges of parenting while grieving can feel overwhelming, but small steps and supportive strategies can ...

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