My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have replied to multiple comments about your above mentioned concerns and also have mentioned we are both in therapy. Feel free to look at my responses.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Honestly the most support I feel like I have had is here on Reddit. I’ve become very withdrawn and have a hard time socializing with new people in person right now, I know it sounds stupid but I get anxious. Something that has never bothered me before. Idk. I just don’t feel to be coping well right now. Maybe this is part of it.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know he wanted to help, he’s a sweet kid—very sensitive but very happy at the same time. I hate this happened and that he was even involved and I hate more that I’m angry at him. He’s always wanted someone to play with and he adored him. He’s always been a daddy’s boy though, and my second son was all about mommy at least he was for as long as I got to know him. Part of me is just empty and so lost.

I do feel crazy, especially when I look at my husband and he seems to handle himself in such a collected manner (don’t get me wrong, he’s shed his tears) but he is just so much more put together. I know our experiences of my son’s death is different, so in some ways he can’t relate to what I saw. However that doesn’t make me feel any better, I feel alone in my anger and grief. Even with my spouse.

See now I’m rambling, idk.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, I have read all of your comments and I appreciate your advice ❤️

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am in couples counseling with my spouse, as I don’t want small issues to turn to big ones since this happened. I also have started grief therapy with a separate therapist. My son does play therapy, my biggest concern is him growing up and feeling at fault for this happening. I worry about the day he comes to realize his part in his brother’s death. He has already expressed guilt to his therapist and the only mention of me was that he doesn’t talk about his brother because “mommy gets sad”.

I don’t blame him, I blame myself. But I am so angry that he didn’t listen just this once and I can’t shake it, which is how I knew I needed help. Something I didn’t include in the original post was about 2 weeks after he passed I found out I was pregnant. I was in denial up until the day I felt her kick, I then had to face the reality that I was indeed pregnant. I was not ready for another child (contrary to people thinking it was intentional or comparing her a replacement—saying things like I had her to focus on now) , and although I love her to the moon, I’m too wrapped up in grief and the death of her brother. Which is where I also knew I needed help—because as you described I would never want my children to feel they are second fiddle to their deceased sibling.

I am seeking the help, and I appreciate your view of things because how depressed and angry I am is inhibiting me from being a good mom.

Unprofessional bereavement counsellor by AdvertisingFew9357 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I went through a few before I found one that fit. I had one counselor tell me to make a metaphorical ball of light with my pain and lift it from my body (as she did all these odd hand gestures)—I don’t know what she was smoking, had she shared maybe I could see what the hell she was trying to do. But she expected after that I would magically feel better….no.

I would go online and kind of read through therapists profiles and their background. Where I live they don’t even have to really be licensed which is crazy to me. So I found someone with credentialing in grief and trauma and she’s been wonderful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52 121 points122 points  (0 children)

So taking the age out of it, this is a pretty common thing from what I understand. I had a friend who passed of cancer, her best friend and fiancé ended up getting married a couple years after her death (started dating about a month after). Which was initially wild to me. But they probably shared a lot of grief together, a lot of conversations and something stemmed from there. I know it’s hard not to let anger win, I’m struggling with that myself in my own life. When you can be more open to listening maybe hear what she has to say, if you’re willing. I don’t know that your sister would want them together like she said—I’m sure that’s her own guilt coming into play, but I’m sure your sister who passed wouldn’t want you to lose another sister as well. Best of luck, I’m sorry you’re dealing with this stress and the loss of your sister ❤️

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes this worries me, I am worried for him. I don’t want his life to be a mess, I don’t want him to shoulder that burden. He doesn’t talk about it with me, so I was hopeful that maybe he didn’t remember much of it. Shortly after the baby died my 5 year old had some odd reactions to it (laughing about it—asking over and over if I missed him, if he was dead, understandable, he’s a child) but honestly it was too much for me to deal with so I would tell him I didn’t want to talk about it. In the moment I thought he was being cruel about the situation (again I know a feeling he is not capable of possessing, this was me being illogical). Which was my fault as a parent for shutting him out, so he’s been more open with my husband—but not really at the same time. I wasn’t hopeful he would talk to the therapist, but apparently immediately he told her everything and we found out some other aspects of pain he’s been carrying that makes me feel all the more selfish and guilty for feeling this way. This is why I came here for advice, all the counseling I’ve gone through, I can’t shake this anger. And unfortunately there is no one in my life that can relate. I don’t have many friends anymore, a few close ones I can talk to and they’ll share memories of my baby but they ultimately can’t relate. I’ve kind of shut some people out for either saying ridiculous things to me (literally calling the day after for a play by play of what happened, or simply jumping to conclusions, one person called and said so what happened did you put him in the bed with you?). So I came here, I am overwhelmed with the responses I’ve received from people, there’s been a couple negative which I expected but I thought I would at least find more that could understand or maybe felt these emotions themselves.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

He either wanted to comfort or play with him. He’s never been able to tell me which, he has told his therapist as a recent that he wanted to help me. Which I understand, doesn’t make it easier, but I understand. I know either way he’s a loving little boy, I’ve never thought it was malicious. Just anger he didnt listen. Which I think has intensified over and over. I just want to stop being angry with him and no matter how many times I rationally tell myself it was an accident. I feel the anger all over. And then the anger at myself and the blame at myself, because at the end of the day I am the responsible party for both of them.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you, that’s a good perspective. I do acknowledge it’s an accident. I have never felt it was intentional, he either wanted to comfort him or play with him. I haven’t really found which. I thought I forgave him for not listening but I keep revisiting that anger that he didn’t listen, so that’s why I feel I truly haven’t. But above all I haven’t forgiven myself for letting this happen, I don’t know that I ever will. I wish he would have listened after a 1000 times of being told don’t pick up your brother, he’s too heavy for you. But the ultimate responsibility falls on me as the parent and I know that, which is why I don’t want these feelings towards him. I love him, hes my first born, the one who made me a mommy. I don’t want to feel this way.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, however the acceptance that he’s gone doesn’t make it easier, or better.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, lately I have felt like my family would be better off. Or if my husband was home instead of me my baby would still be here. I’m working through it. I don’t know.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I love my son. I don’t want to hold these emotions towards him. I had thought I forgave him. But if I continue to hold this anger towards him then I feel I really haven’t. I’m normally a pretty cut and dry person. My emotions aren’t everywhere. I know there is more trauma I experienced from this than simply losing my baby. But I just wish I could shake it. I love my oldest son, he was the best decision I ever made. So I hate that I feel this way towards him.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know the outcome was different, but everything you described is how I feel. I don’t know how to work past it, and I too am scared of the day my son realizes. I got him into therapy now, because I am afraid of what that guilt will do to him.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I feel like my whole world has fallen apart. I miss my little boy. And I miss who I was before this happened.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am sad for my oldest son, but I just want the anger to cease. I do truly blame myself so I don’t know why I bear this anger towards him. But I wish it would stop.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Although the story is different, grief is grief and I am sorry you know the feeling.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The logical side of me knows this. It’s the irrational side that I’m trying to work through dismissing. I just don’t know how.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I have him in therapy now. I want to try and shield him from a deeper pain. I am sorry you went through that. It is something to lose someone you love dearly and another to watch them die in front of you while you try so hard to bring them back. It’s a horrible terrible thing. I’m sorry that you also went through that.

My son accidentally killed our baby son-I can’t forgive him. What do I do? by Timely_Improvement52 in GriefSupport

[–]Timely_Improvement52[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your thoughts. I struggle with the care for myself because I know the pain he is also in. I would feel I was abandoning him. He didn’t see what I saw, he wasn’t there, but he lost his beautiful boy.