what's the word for a parent who had lost his/her child(ren)?
483910
There's no exactly parallel noun.  But there is an adjective you can use to express the idea --\n"bereft"  (or 'the bereft parents')\n\nThus we can say:\n"The child was orphaned."\n"The woman/man was widowed."\n"The parents were bereft [of children]."\n\n--------\n\n 'bereft' (2) = Suffering the death of a loved one; bereaved: the bereft parents.\nhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/dict.asp?Word=bereft\n\n"bereave":\n  To leave desolate or alone, especially by death\nhttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/bereave\n\nNote that "bereft" can be used for the loss of OTHER loved ones, but most frequently is used for parents losing children, perhaps  because we DO have the words 'orphan', 'widow' and 'widower' available to us.\n\nAlso, there is obviously a slight lack of parallelism.  The other terms always speak of a situation in which you have NO ONE of this sort left.  In a monogamous culture-- at least if you are keeping the law-- if a spouse dies you have NO spouse left, if both parents die you have NO parents and are an orphan.  But when parents suffer the death of ONE child (which is the way it usually happens) this does not necessarily leave them with NO children.\n\n(Incidentally, there is also, historically, an important socio-economic difference.  A widow or orphan is lacks ECONOMIC support --in fact, some cultures would use such terms ONLY if there is no one in the extended family available to step in and support them, a child would be an 'orphan' even with a mother, if she was, by this definition, a widow [hence, the term for such a child is often better rendered 'fatherless'].  \n\nThe situation is not the same for a parent who loses children.  This also helps explain why the ROOT word for one who is left without a spouse is the FEMININE, "widow" --and the masculine form is a derived one [as opposed to the typical practice of a root noun being masculine, with a derived feminine, formed by adding a suffix]: the main situation it is describing was originally that of the unsupported woman.  A man whose wife died would not ordinarily be in a similar bind.)
1177393
Lexy,\nI am deeply sorry for your loss, however, remember you son is now in a better place and is watching over his mother.  Read Sylvia Brown's "Life on the Other Side".  I have had too many close experiences with death and this has really helped me understand what is to happen next.  Our bodies will terminate, however we will not.\n\nNate
158689
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  It's so hard when a parent dies.  My Dad just died last month.  My cousin told me that the first 2 weeks would be the hardest and he was right, but it may be different for everyone. Personally, I got so much strength from remembering him as the great person he always was. Think of all the wonderful memories and ways that you admired him. Everyday you'll find happy little reminders of him and that will help to ease your pain. Of course everyone needs a mourning period but it doesn't have to be a totally dark experience. Take time to remember the lighter parts of life you had with him.  I found that keeping myself busy helped me a lot too.  Please remember that he would want you to remember these times and to live the rest of your life as he would have lived his.  I hope this helps your transition.
316022
Yes.  That is the name that I gave my baby that I lost due to miscarriage.  Charlie Wayne - man wandering
942761
I am sorry,  my grandmother has lost her will to live after my father died three years ago, I do not believe you will ever get over it, I think you may be able to one day accept your child died,  but you will always grieve and feel your loss, I am not sure the goal is too get over it, I was devastated when my father died and I know this cannot compare honestly if my children died, I would probably semi lose my mind at least temporarily. and I know I would become a humanitarian worker on the international scene for human rights watch or red cross, in the thick of things. and I would have a very nomadic lifestyle, however I still  feel the hole that was ripped open in my soul the day my father died, I do not believe it will ever go away, church made me feel worse. the funeral was horrible .I told the priest he was full of it ,and so was his religion ,which offered no comfort .and I informed him  that my father detested religion,I can relate to not wanting to hear the empty god comments. what surprisingly helped me , was a support group for grief victims ,people who had the same or similar experiences .I would have never  joined a group like this, but it was a service offered ,because I donated his organs.and amazingly just the pamphlets generated from the group touched me and helped ease my grief, I know it sounds like it will do no good, but It is truly worth a try, for you to get in touch with other parents who lost their children, I know I saw a persons 360 page on yahoo ,the mans child died and the support from the online community was amazing .I am not sure this will help you as much as a real group ,but not feeling alone in your anger is crucial to feeling better, it is most difficult to hold on to yourself or soul ,if you believe in that, when you are filled with misery ,it is so much harder to love yourself,life, or anything than it is to hate .and making that human connection with others that can truly understand you rather than dismissively wish you well or try to say something they think you want to hear, is the first step in regaining the feeling of control and a new perspective , I also encourage you to visit my 360 page and dont read it ,cause I am bad and while I try to remain positive, I do tend to gravitate to the darkside at times, but go to my friends list  find Skyes avatar click on it and visit skyes page, this beautiful woman is a well of positivity, and spiritual well being .and just reading her blogs make me feel better and I am sure they can touch your heart as well
186179
sadly -- my dad has passed away
741695
I don't know what word you are looking for but I'll try to help. \nLoser\nLeech\nWorthless\nCon\nSleaze\nParasite\n\nHey, I just defined my ex-husband!
590226
I'm sorry for your grief i just lost my step dad in Aug and he was more of a dad than i could ever get..\n\nThe pain hurts because i lost so many if theres away I'm looking for it i spend day after day setting and talking as if he was still here at the grave site.\n\nWhat do you say we feel the same pain three kids and my wife are gone and i have one child left and I'm so scare of losing her.\n\nSomeone put a question in here and ask what was the saddest thing that ever happen to me and i cryed the owe time i wrote back an answer as i'm doing now..\n\nBless you and take one day at a time for two is to much and you will be okay.
862817
When I see my daughter struggling with hurt or sadness and not being able to fix it for her.  When we have to send my boyfriends son home, I worry about him.  When my boyfriend is depressed and I can't cheer him up.  When my mom is sick and I can't mend her.  I don't like to see my loved ones suffer.
573229
I would ask the county where this child died...but the real issue is the pain and grief your wife is still carrying.\nI think your wife is still grieving for her child.\nShe needs to have some grief counseling and support...other parents who have lost a child would be useful.\n\nI will pray for her and your family.
630000
Be truthful, but use some tact.  Children can sense when they aren't being told the truth and will feel betrayed when they find out.  Avoid euphemisms or fairy tales.\n\nA child's understanding of grief depends on their age, so how you address it could vary.  \n\nThe experts say to explain what dead means.  Say the person's body "stopped working" (or something to that effect).  Avoid saying the person "went away" or "went to sleep".  Its misleading and you may soon have an insomniac child.  \n\nAllow them to ask questions and explain that everything they are feeling and thinking is normal.  \n\nLook for books by Linda Goldman.  I attended one of her seminars and it was excellent!\nhttp://www.childrensgrief.net/
693894
Have a look at these links, i'm sure you'll find something here to suit your situation:\n\nhttp://www.netdoctor.co.uk/support_groups/006090.htm\n\nhttp://www.childbereavement.org.uk/families/\n\nhttp://www.bounty.com/Community/Discussion/Tree.asp?btySubID=144\n\nhttp://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/bereavement.php\n\nGood luck
756050
"Hopeful Peace" or "Peaceful Hope".  You could say something like "in the downward spiral of tragedy, one can find peace and hope through the most unusual circumstances".
145181
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom, but I think your response to honor her memory is awesome. Yes, it's quite normal, even after all the years have gone by. I just lost my Dad last month and I feel that he touched my life like nobody else ever could. I hope to feel that same way forever too. Memories are meant to cherish. Your Mom was lucky to have a devoted daughter like you. I think when we lose a parent it's a gap that no one else can ever fill. And it's important to pass along those memories and traditions to our children.
474802
Without a doubt it was my son who made the biggest impact on my life. Sadly, he died at the age of 2, but I would never have known that totally unconditonal love you feel for your child if I'd not had him in my life. Makes it easier to understand other parents attitudes to their children.
841911
The nostalgic mother longed to be home with her child.  The word nostalgic was actually a sickness in the 1600's that meant literally returning home, pain or longing.  The word was coined by a man named Johannes Hofer.  I thought that was interesting to know.  While I knew what nostalgia was, I thought it only to be "homesick".
565229
in his/her grief, your friend would tend to tell stories about his/her mother. just listen to him/her talk. be patient.