I Miss the Baby: A Child's Grief Process Following the Miscarriage of a Sibling
#1 of 2 in Miscarriage, Infant Loss, and Grief Series
What’s inside...
I Miss the Baby by Irma G Prosser is an insightful picture book that explores how children react differently to grieving for a miscarried baby. It features colorful illustrations by Emma Arellano that depict various responses children may have. The book sensitively explains these reactions, emphasizing their naturalness and normalcy. An author's note at the end reassures parents about their child's individual grieving process, making this book a valuable resource for understanding and processing loss.
Discussion points
How did the story make you feel about the baby that was lost?
What are some ways the characters in the book showed their feelings?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to the character in the book? What helped you feel better?
Why do you think it's important to talk about our feelings, like the family in the book does?
What would you want to say to the baby if you could?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a safe space for your child to express their emotions, reassuring them that all feelings are valid.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their thoughts and feelings after reading the story, as a form of expressive therapy.
Be open about your own feelings regarding the theme of the book to model healthy emotional processing.
Use the characters' experiences in the book as examples to discuss the different ways people may grieve and the importance of support from loved ones.
Reinforce that grief is a personal process and that it's okay to feel sad, confused, or even angry.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding grief
Explanation: The book portrays the protagonist's journey through various stages of grief after the loss of an expected sibling, providing a relatable and compassionate depiction of sadness and confusion.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that their feelings of sorrow or loss are normal and acceptable, and that talking about their feelings can be a way to process grief.
Example Lesson: Empathy development
Explanation: As the protagonist expresses their emotions, readers learn to understand and empathize with feelings of loss, even if they have not experienced it directly.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop deeper empathy for peers who may be going through similar or different challenging experiences.
Example Lesson: Family support
Explanation: The book illustrates how family members come together to support each other in times of sorrow, reinforcing the importance of familial bonds during hard times.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of supporting family members emotionally, and that reaching out for support from loved ones can help in coping with difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Expression of emotions
Explanation: The protagonist learns to articulate their feelings through conversations with parents and friends, highlighting the therapeutic power of verbal expression.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that discussing their emotions is healthy and can aid in emotional healing and understanding.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Through the protagonist’s journey, the narrative demonstrates that it is possible to find a pathway through pain and emerge stronger.
Real-World Application: Children learn that resilience is key in overcoming personal challenges and that it's possible to recover and find joy again, even after experiencing loss.