St. Louis Chapter of the Bereaved Parents of the USA

Alienation and Grief: "Stranger in a Strange Land"
Often we feel alone when we grieve. It seems as though we've been plopped down into some new universe where everything is unfamiliar, and we are surrounded by people who no longer understand us. We will talk about ways to ease this sense of loneliness and discuss whether or not we will ever "fit in" again.

Ask It Basket
Write down a question you would like to have answered, place it in the basket, pass and pick a card from the basket and answer the question.

Be Bitter or Get Better
Healing in our grief can take an enormous amount of energy. It can be tempting to get stuck in our despair, anger, and sometimes bitterness. We will talk about the personal choices we all make in our own grief journeys.

Book Review
Bring in your favorite books and tell the group why this helped you along your grief journey. Your book may be what someone else needs at the time.

Day My Child Was Born
Discuss the events when your child was brought into the world. You may bring in baby pictures of your child if you wish.

Dreams And Unusual Happenings
Many Bereaved Parents believe they receive signs from their child. The meeting allows those individuals time to discuss their experience.

Family Vacations
A snapshot of our family's life. Please bring photos and memories of past vacations. We will also talk about how our child's death has affected our vacations now.

Getting Through The Holiday's
Ways to cope with the difficult holiday season is discussed. There are numerous ideas available that may help you deal with a particular holiday issue. Though some things may not work for you, an idea(s) may be presented that will help you survive.

Getting To Know You
The group breaks into small groups of 3 or 4 people. The individual groups get to know each other better and you may share whatever you desire about your child.

Letting Go of Anger and Guilt
Write down areas that you feel guilty or anger about. Discuss, if you want; then symbolically burn cards releasing the guilt and anger.

Memory Night
Share a story of your child or a song that reminds you of your child OR if you chose, you may bring a video. CD/Tape/TV-Video player will be available. In order to ensure all have an opportunity to share, your story/song/video should not exceed 5 mins

Memory Plant
If you feel comfortable, bring a plant to the meeting, it will be labeled with your child’s name. Each person participating will draw a name and take the plant home and plant it in their yard in memory of someone else’s child. Preferably plants are perennial’s, so we can enjoy these plants for years to come. A planting ceremony handout will be provided.

Panel Discussion
Three person panel will speak on how their child died and then break in to small groups by cause of death.

Picnic
The group meets an hour earlier to gather for a casual picnic. It is a time for informal sharing and visiting with your fellow Bereaved Parent members.

Picture Night
Please bring a photo of your child, and we will share stories about our children's lives and personalities. If possible, please bring a copy of a photo that can be placed in our scrapbook. We will decorate the scrapbook pages while we talk.

Poem Night
Bring a poem or write a poem in your child's honor. You may write a letter to your child and share with the group if you prefer.

Positive Growth
Share how your life has changed since your child’s death and what positive things have come out of it.

Potluck, Picture and Gift Night
Share a funny Christmas story about your child. If you feel comfortable and can handle it, purchase a gift that you would have bought for your child. This is strictly voluntary. You should not feel obligated to purchase a gift. All gifts will be donated to charity. Do not wrap your gift.

Potluck Supper and Balloon Release
Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share. Feel free to bring a balloon to symbolize and remember your child. The group will release the balloons together.

Professionals Night
To acquaint the professional public with the BPUSA i.e.; clergy, medical personnel, funeral directors, policemen, firemen, psychologists, first responders, etc.

Romance and Close Relationships
Romance and close relationships after the death of your child.

Special Music/Video Night
If you feel comfortable and can handle it, bring a song that you shared with your child or reminds you of them OR if you chose, you may bring a video. CD/Tape/TV-Video player will be available. This is an excellent way to share your child with the group.

Summer Memories and Pictures
Share favorite memories of past vacations with your child.

The Day My Child Died
Small group discussions. If you feel comfortable, you may share with your group the details surrounding your child's death.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things
Bring in a favorite item that belonged to your child and share its significance. We'll discuss what to do with our children's possessions.

Time In a Bottle
Discuss where and what our child(ren) would be today.

What happened to the old me, and who am I now?
The loss of a child can affect our personalities and our ability to function in our daily lives. We will explore ways we have changed since our children died and discuss whether or not those changes are permanent or just a temporary part of the grieving process.

Where Am I Now in My Grief?
There are many levels of grief. New - Raw grief; Not So New – The reality of grief; Maturing – Incorporating grief into your life. We will discuss the levels of grief and where do you think you fit now.

Where Do You Find Humor?
Will I ever laugh again? How can I laugh when my child has died?