The loss of a child is an especially devastating pain - it's not the natural order of life. It can squeeze your heart and make it hard to breathe, and even harder to find the will to live.

Typical reactions to a child's death often involve emotional and physical symptoms such as inability to sleep or a desire to sleep all the time, mood swings, exhaustion, extreme anxiety, headaches, or inability to concentrate. Grieving parents experience emotional and physical peaks and valleys. They may think life finally seems on an even keel and that they are learning to cope when periods of intense sadness overwhelm them, perhaps with even more force. Experiencing any or all of these reactions does not mean permanent loss of control or inability to recover and are usually part of the grief process.

We asked several parents who have lost their children how they are coping and hope their answers will help you cope with your grief.

Please contact us if you'd like to add your own thoughts and feelings to the answers we have.

Please also visit our grief board for support.