6.9 C
Portlaoise
Monday, May 11, 2026
school lunch

Back to School and Grief Don’t Mix Well

And the "Mother Of The Year" awards goes to... Where were we? Feeling miserable? Being a useless mother? Not sleeping? Too much crying going on? No energy? Yeah, something like this. So, school has started. And we survived the first week. Another big achievement considering I nearly poisoned my daughter. And I totally grossed her out. All in one day. Last Monday - first day of school. I started off do well. Got up early to fix her uniform, to make her lunch, to make sure she gets up on time. Doddle right? Just one kid left, nothing else to worry about... When we left the house I noticed I had used a blue thread to fix her black uniform. Oh, well. Spent the day doing whatever until it was time to collect Katie from the bus stop. As she walked towards me I noticed a somewhat not impressed look on her face.
Report on death and bereavement

Report on Death and Bereavement What It Means for Irish Families

Deaths in Ireland are rising faster than supports A new report on death and bereavement warns that the number of deaths in Ireland will rise...
life after the children leave

Life After the Children Leave: When the Silence Changes Shape

For those widowed young, life after the children leave can stir a quieter kind of grief—subtle, reflective, and not always easy to explain. After years of parenting alone, the silence can feel unfamiliar. But in this new chapter, there is also space for reconnection, gentle self-discovery, and hope for what still lies ahead.
Widowhood Touches Every Kind of Life

Widowhood Touches Every Kind of Life

Behind some of the world's most recognisable faces, grief is no stranger. When a partner dies, life can feel as though it has simply stopped....
Widowed COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment form

Can the Widowed Apply for COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment?

If you are widowed and were working up until March 13th, you can claim the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment and it will be paid in addition to your widowed pension. To apply for the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment you can apply online at mywelfare.ie If you require a form posted out, it can be requested both online or by calling the emergency phone number 1890800024
hello-Evil-Elvis-the-Cat

Hello! How do you make an introduction that’s not boring

How do you make an introduction that's not boring. My name is Susanne and I found this site only a few days ago. (OK, that is boring) I only put a short "Hi" in the members forum and got ever so lovely responses very quickly. I also offered to write a blog for you. When my husband became ill I set up a FB page to keep our friends informed, instead of having to call or email everyone separately. Yes, I'm lazy. Very soon I started writing longer pieces, and I realised quickly how helpful this was. The support I got in the comments from our friends, most of whom live quite far away, was immense and became a lifeline. But I also noticed writing things down helped me to cope better.
Self-Care

What is Self-Care for Someone Grieving

You may have come across the term, "Self-Care", but what exactly is meant by it? Self-care is an important aspect of coping with grief...
Hope at Christmas

Christmas Landmines – A Widowers Message of Hope to the Grieving

This year more than any I can feel healing going on for me and I only say that to show that there is that hope to cling to. Winter and Christmas are bloody difficult times. For many here this is their first Christmas since the world stopped turning. The rest of the world keeps spinning but ours stopped on a particular day, on a definite minute.
inspirational quotes

Encouraging Quotes for the Widowed

Inspirational and encouraging quotes for someone who is widowed, along with the known name of who said it: "The greater the love, the greater the...
how to help a recently widowed friend

How to Help a Recently Widowed Friend

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences that anyone can go through. In the aftermath of such a profound loss, it...