• Your Writing Matters
  • Overwhelmed Writer Rescue
  • Writer Get Noticed!

Writing and Wellness

Writing a Novel About the True-Life Loss of a Child

by Crissi Langwell

The Road to Hope came to me when I was grocery shopping. No joke!

I was at Trader Joe’s in the produce section when I saw a toddler fall from a shopping cart. He had been in the large part of the empty basket, and his weight tipped the cart. His mom was on him within seconds of him falling, and the kid was screaming in the middle of the store.

My first reaction was empathy for the mom, knowing that she probably felt the weight of judgment from everyone around her for even allowing her kid in the basket in the first place. But as she consoled her screaming child, a story started washing over me.

I began asking myself questions—what if a child fell and was hurt worse than a bump on the head? What if it ended up a fatal mistake? What would that mother’s identity be if her only child died?

This Book Was My Opportunity to Write About the Loss of a Child

But here’s why these questions and the developing story meant so much to me.

Years before, I’d experienced a stillbirth. I was 24 years old and already had two toddler children. At 32 weeks along in my pregnancy, we discovered the baby’s heartbeat had stopped.

This was something I never imagined was even possible. I mean, I had heard about it happening to other parents, but those stories seemed so far away from me.

When it happened to us, it changed everything I knew about life. I went into a deep, dark depression and had a hard time caring for my living children, or even myself. My once clean house became a pit. The demise of my marriage accelerated (we were already having problems), and we divorced soon after.

The Road to Hope was my opportunity to write about this loss and its effects on my life, channeling my grief through Jill, one of the main characters. Then I introduced another character, a teen mom named Maddie, who allowed me to write about other experiences in my life—poverty and being a young mother, and in later books, domestic violence and identity issues.

So, The Road to Hope started as a story, but it became so much bigger than that. I can honestly say I poured my soul into this book, and into the whole series.

I Had to Embrace the Fact That This Was Me Telling Truth in Fiction

I think the biggest issue I faced was feeling conflicted about putting so much of myself into the story.

When I started writing, I really tried to make the characters completely different from myself. But it felt untrue. Writing this book was like therapy to me, and when I tried to change things too much, it felt inauthentic.

I had to embrace the fact that this was me telling truth in fiction, and that was okay.

I also grappled with how certain people would react to what I had written, especially as the series continued. There are some things that are very pointed, and if certain people read it, they will recognize some details. I had to somewhat distance myself from the story, in a way, to have the courage to write and not edit out certain scenes.

Third, this book overruled my initial ideas for the story. It was really supposed to be a book about Jill and the loss of her son. But then I introduced this new character about a third of the way in. Maddie was only supposed to exist for about a chapter, but dang it if I didn’t fall in love with her.

Writing about Maddie helped me to embrace the young, dumb teen I’d once been. I loved this character so much, I dedicated the rest of the series to her.

I Wrote the Story, then Shelved It for Several Years Because of Self-Doubt

Beyond the struggles I mentioned earlier, I really struggled with self-doubt. I wrote this story, and then I shelved it for several years.

The idea of editing it felt daunting, because I knew I had a lot to fix. This was really the second book I ever wrote—the first one I hid away and never touched again, it was that bad! I had put so much of myself into this story, I worried that I hadn’t really done it justice.

It took writing and publishing a few more books before I could return to this story and clean it up. I’m actually glad I waited. Through the years, I learned much more about writing and storytelling, and I was able to incorporate these lessons into The Road to Hope , making it a much stronger story.

I Wrote That Scene Through Blurry Eyes

There was this one time I attended a write-in—an event with a bunch of writers in our local bookstore where we all worked on our writing projects at the same time.

I got into this zone and was faced with a very emotional scene. Right there in the middle of everyone, I started to cry. I think I hid it well enough, but the tears just wouldn’t stop. I wrote that scene through blurry eyes and a sob in my throat.

This was the moment I knew I had something, that I wasn’t holding back anything in the story.

How Writing Can Give You Grace for the Person You Were

This book was so much to me. Writing The Road to Hope allowed me to work through some really hard emotions, things I’d held on to for years. It gave me grace for the person I was, even love that earlier version of myself, because I was able to see it from a bigger point of view.

It also helped me reach an even deeper level in emotional writing, something I really strive for in all my novels. If I’m not moved while I’m writing it, then I need to discover where I’m holding back.

When I’m Struggling with Something, Writing Will Help Unveil the Solution

Writing is absolutely a spiritual practice for me.

My faith and spirituality are huge in my life, and writing is the way I express that.

Often when I’m struggling with something, my writing will help me unveil the solution. I often will discover new things about myself through my characters, and I find peace and meaning when I’m writing.

The Message in My Book: Nothing is Permanent

The underlying message in The Road to Hope is that nothing is permanent.

This includes the people we love and a comfortable life, because anything can change in an instant.

But this also applies to those dark feelings of loss, the shame of a situation, or an identity we feel stuck in. Realities can evolve with time, and healing happens when we allow those around us to help see us through.

Advice for a Young Writer: If You Have an Idea for a Story, Write It

If you have an idea for a story, write it. Don’t let anything stand in your way!

Don’t worry about what other people will think, if you’re a good enough writer, or if the story will sell. You can worry about these things later when you start editing. If you worry about them while you’re writing, the story won’t happen.

So let go of self-doubt and preconceived ideas on other people’s judgment, and pour yourself into the story. Your novel deserves every single part of you, so don’t give it any less than 100%.

Crissi Langwell is the author of 10 books across several genres. Her passion is the story of the underdog, and her novels include stories of homeless teens, determined heroines, family issues, free spirits and more. She writes literary fiction, magical realism, women’s fiction, and young adult, and is currently writing a dystopian romance.

Beyond writing, Crissi is an avid bookworm and a weight training wannabe. She pulls her inspiration from the ocean, and breathes freely among redwoods. She lives in Northern California with her husband and their blended family of three kids.

For more information on Crissi and her book, see her website , or connect with her on Facebook and Instagram .

Both 35-year-old Jill and 16-year-old Maddie fall victim to their personal circumstance, succumbing to a life neither of them plans for herself. But a brief encounter between the two of them forces the path of their lives to change course, offering light to their despair, and setting a journey where hope leads the way.

In The Road to Hope , Crissi Langwell paints a portrait of grief and affliction, opening the wounds of life’s calamities. But with a glimpse of a possible new direction, Langwell reveals the emergence of strength, and the beauty that exists when hope prevails.

Available at Amazon .

Writing your Lost and Found Story

by Laura Hedgecock | May 13, 2016 | Memories , How-to , Journal writing , Writing and Sharing Memories | 2 comments

Writing lost and found story graphic

What’s your lost and found story?

“How could we have lost something so precious?” my friend lamented to her husband. Dusk approached. She, her husband, and various friends had searched throughout much of the previous night and all that day for their elderly little dog that had wandered off.  Her grief is universal. We all have at least one major lost and found story.

Perhaps it’s a lost object that still sticks in your craw. Perhaps you’ve had an experience analogous to the finding the prodigal son. Perhaps, like my friend, the not knowing, not understanding what happened, that keeps you up at night.

Writing about things lost and found

Whether there’s a happy ending or not, stories of things lost or lost and found make compelling narratives. In fact, such stories are easy to find all over the Internet.

I have my own. For instance, the 10 interminable minutes during which my then 5-year old was missing at the Salt Lake City airport. I can still remember the panic I felt and the way that I wanted to strangle the slow-to-take-it seriously airport security guard.

Elements of your lost and found story:

  • What went missing? (duh) Object, person, pet, or other.  It may have simply disappeared or was stolen.  Wallet, military metal, vacation or wedding pictures all come to mind, but you can take a creative twist on this topic.  One example is Kannaki’s “My Mother’s Shoes .”
  • Why did it matter to you? This could be obvious, such as in the case of a five-year-old, but it isn’t always. Perhaps the crucifix that went missing had been passed down from your grandmother, a life-long devoted Catholic. Perhaps it had brought you comfort on numerous occasions.
  • How did you discover it (he or she) was missing? The setting, the foreshadowing, the explanation of why a person or object mattered so much all contribute to a compelling story.
  • How did you feel about it at the time? What was your state of mind? In the case of my friend, her word choices are telling.  The rest of us consider her little dog as “gone missing.” We use a blameless phrase. Repeatedly, I’ve heard her say, “I lost my little dog.” She’s shouldering the responsibility, way more than she should.  What happened in your story? Did you feel responsible? Victimized?
  • What measures did you take? Posters? Letters? Flyers? A reward? Turning the house upside down?
  • Who helped you search? Were they actually helpful? I can’t help remembering that security guard blithely pointing out every young boy in sight.  “Is that him?”  “What about that child?”  Me yelling, “Get on your radio!  None of these children are wearing a dark blue shirt with a rhino on it!”
  • How did the story turn out? Of course you have to share the outcome. But that doesn’t have to be the way the story ends.  Instead, you can talk about silver linings, what you learned, any insight that might be applicable to the rest of your life.
  • How do you feel looking back? We can often reconcile ourselves to events only after time has passed.  For instance, after my parents died, my sister and I were never able to locate my father’s wedding ring, which he kept on his key-chain.  It used to keep me up at night, wondering what clever hiding place he thought he’d found shortly before he took his trip. But over time, hope has diminished. After all, it was a material thing. I’ve made an uneasy peace with the loss.

What about you? What your lost and found story? How have you told it? How have you shared it?

Graphic: Background image courtesy of Pixabay.com user anneileino , CC0.

Share this:

marielorrette

What a can of worms you have opened! I am sure we all have so many stories. But yesterday I went and met an old friend who has lost his mind to dementia. To see this man reduced to how I found him was absolutely heartbreaking. There can be no finding it again – just a release from this life. I never thought I would wish him dead. 😢

Laura Hedgecock

You’re right. I didn’t even go in to the intangibles such as losing innocence, faith, sanity, and things like that. Those are truly heartbreaking to watch–but maybe cathartic to write about. I’m sorry about your old friend. That’s so hard. Thanks for commenting!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  • What Else Have You Lost? Write about it. - Treasure Chest of Memories - […] a value, a sense of purpose.  We’ve all experienced a loss of a pet or cherished object (See Writing…

Share your thoughts Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Don't Wait.

Memories Of Me By Laura Hedgecock

Read more...

Subscribe to this Blog via Email

Email Address

View posts by category:

Let’s be friends.

Badges of organizaions with which the author is affiliated

Don't Wait. Put the episodes of the past to paper.

Memories Of Me By Laura Hedgecock

Pin It on Pinterest

  • Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraHedgecock
  • Twihttp://www.twitter.com/LauraLHedgecocktter
  • Google+http://google.com/+LauraHedgecock
  • Pinterehttp://www.pinterest.com/lauralhedgecock/st
  • Print Friendly
  • LinkedIhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahedgecock/n

Marked by Teachers

  • TOP CATEGORIES
  • AS and A Level
  • University Degree
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Uncategorised
  • 5 Star Essays
  • Study Tools
  • Study Guides
  • Meet the Team
  • English Language
  • Writing to Inform, Explain and Describe

LOST-descriptive writing

Authors Avatar

I didn’t know where I was. I didn’t know how I got there, or how I was going to get out, all I knew was that I was lost!

        I looked around, it was so dark that I couldn’t see my outstretched hand in front of me but I could smell the musty smell of damp wood. I assumed I was in a forest in England but something told me I could be mistaken, something slithered past my leg hissing as it passed. I was terrified, my heart pounded in my chest as I tried to keep as still as possible until I was certain that I was safe! It was at this point I realised I wasn’t safe at all, I wasn’t in a wood, I most definitely wasn’t in England, I was in a rainforest and I had no idea where… I began to run, as fast as my legs could carry me over the leaf littered floor, trampling on bugs as I went only stopping when I reached the edge of the forest, here I collapsed exhausted, afraid and alone.

        

        I jerked awake, I could feel the heat upon my exposed back, burning, the sun was beating down on me. I attempted to move; my aching legs refused to co-operate. I was paralysed. I lay there, at the edge of what could only be described as a jungle, not able to walk or even crawl, my only hope was to drag myself through the trees along the jungle bed over the mud, leaves and insects swarming around my body trying to find the way I came in.

Join now!

        My hands began to ache as I reached a gap in the trees where the light was creeping through. I could hear running water. Although not being able to find out which way the noise was coming from I carried on dragging myself along the floor. Finally I reached a deep pool of blue water. It wasn’t just a pool but a beautiful waterfall with water as clear as a diamond. The sound of crashing water filled my ears with its harmony, I watched the waterfall crashing onto the rocks below and bouncing into the deep pool.

This is a preview of the whole essay

        As I lay next to the pool I heard a noise, this time it wasn’t a hissing noise, it was something much louder and whatever it was, it was getting closer! I lay trembling with fear, adrenalin pumping round my body. I closed my eyes hoping, praying, whatever it was that was making the horrific noises, would soon go away. How wrong could I have been?

        Closer and closer the noise crept. The adrenalin pumping round my body faster and faster. My fists clenched tighter and tighter, I waited. Then suddenly the noise stopped suspiciously, I turned myself over with all my might but I didn’t dare open my eyes, I didn’t think I could stomach the horror that would stand before me. Nothing happened, I gulped, the cautiously I opened my eyes and quickly shut them again. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Nothing!

        I was sure I had heard a noise, and was sure that it was getting closer and closer. I couldn’t have imagined it, it was too real.

        The noise started again. This time I lay and watched. All I saw was something moving in the trees, leaving a path of destruction. I wasn’t imagining things there was and still is something out there.

        I noticed a small opening in the cliff, which was behind the waterfall. This opening was about twenty metres above the ground. I decided, even though my legs were paralysed, to attempt to climb there for safety from what ever was in this jungle.

        The climb was treacherous and took a lot of determination to climb the jagged, crumbling and weathered rocks. Finally, I had made it, trembling and shaking, to the top. I looked around to see that I was in a little opening that looked like a cave, behind the waterfall. It was only about two metres high and three metres deep.

        The cave was dark, damp and eerie. The stench was unbearable but I knew if I didn’t want to die, I had to bear it! I was getting damper by the minute with all the vapour created by the waterfall, I could hear the ‘drip drip’ as water seeped in through the rock pores like a leaking tap. I still hadn’t figured out how I got here. Or where I was.

        All I could see below were trees, bushes and shrubs. All different shades of green, dark, light, dull and bright. All mixed together to make one huge canvas of colour.

        Whilst climbing down the rocks by the side of the waterfall I heard the noise again. It gave me a fright and I lost my grip on the rocks and fell, to what I thought to be my death. But no it was to my advantage as I woke at the foot of the cliff I could feel my legs. I was so happy. So happy in fact I hadn’t noticed that the creature or whatever was in the jungle was making its way towards me. I didn’t even need to turn round, I heard its growl, smelt its putrid breath, felt the ground tremble beneath my body, I picked myself up, and ran…

        I ran as fast as I could across mud, grass, leaves, creatures, roots and fallen trees, my heart beating so fast I could hear it ringing in my ears, I ran still faster through trees and bushes until finally the creature could not be heard or seen, all that surrounded me was silence, in fact you could hear a pin drop! But it was no pin that I heard drop…

LOST-descriptive writing

Document Details

  • Word Count 982
  • Page Count 3
  • Subject English

Related Essays

Lost and Alone Descriptive Writing

Lost and Alone Descriptive Writing

Descriptive Writing - Woodland

Descriptive Writing - Woodland

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive Writing

Descriptive Writing

Modern Loss

Candid conversation about grief . Beginners welcome.

8 Steps to Writing a Loss Story with Your Child

Books are a safe way to explore big feelings. here’s how to write a tale of loss and grief with your child..

By Caron Levis

creative writing about a lost child

Honest, open, and expressive communication is essential for supporting a child who has experienced or become curious about death and loss—but it can be a daunting conversation to start.

That’s why I wrote Ida, Always , a picture book about death and loss for young readers. A book is a creative and safe place to experience and explore Big Feelings and Questions together. Books helped my mom support me, when in elementary school I came to her, confused and full of feelings I couldn’t name, having heard that Charlie, my first school bus driver had gotten sick and died. Recently, when working with a student who had lost her dad and couldn’t talk about it—I wasn’t sure what to do. So, we read about the bereaved bears in my book and then she chose to write her own story about her dad. Writing a personalized story is a meaningful and enjoyable way for caregivers to engage children in this important and challenging conversation.

If you decide create your own story for a child in your life, try to embrace the process with an attitude of discovery. You don’t need to know everything or have all the answers. The most important thing is to simply be a caring guide and provide a safe space for exploration. By doing so, you’ll be able to help a child to validate, normalize, share information, and empower them to become active authors of their own experiences. Gather some paper, crayons, your sense of play, focus in on your child , and use these seven steps to go from idea to “publication”:

1. Prepare.  Before starting, read some published stories on loss, engage in self-care (I mean it!) and identify support systems and resources. Always utilize professionals (school counselor, therapist, doctor) for any questions about whether your child might be experiencing trauma symptoms or needs extra support. 2. Create structure.  Depending on your child’s age or needs, you can create everything alongside them or make a book to be illustrated, colored by them while you read.

creative writing about a lost child

3. Choose a focus.  What part of the story needs to be explored? Is your child struggling to understand the concept of death? Do they need a way to celebrate the person they loved? A space for them to share worries? Here are samples of the kind of story focus you may want to consider:

  • Memory book.  The story of one special time or a collage of remembrances. Start each page with the prompt, “I remember…” Ask: what sights, sounds, smells, foods, places, objects, holidays, events, dialogue are associated with the person/animal? Include challenging memories along with the positive ones to allow the deceased to be fully human and give permission for complicated feelings. Example titles: Spot’s Memory Book, My Grandpa Smelled Like Cookies, I Remember My Mom.
  • Preparation book.  A story to prepare a child for a funeral, memorial, or upcoming change related to the loss. Use a repetitive prompt and the five senses: “When we go to ____you might see/hear/feel__.” In this story indicate what trusted adults and friends will be there. “When we go to ___people who love you will be there like ___.”
  • Processing book.  A story to help explore feelings around past events that might feel confusing, complicated, or even joyful like a memorial event. Example: Visiting Uncle at the Hospital, When I Found My Goldfish Upside Down, We Flew Balloons for Cousin. Here you want to allow children to let you know what they saw, felt, and still wonder about. Be sure to allow for both confusing/scary and hopeful/safe moments. Prompts can be: “When I went to the hospital/funeral/ I saw__ and I felt__.” Or “When __told me__blank had died, I felt___.” Be sure to help them spot hope and safety with prompts like, “I saw people helping by ___.” and identify hugs and other ways people comforted each other.
  • Big questions/big worries book.  For kids curious or worried about death and what happens after death, you can write a [Child’s Name] Book of Big Questions: and then read it and explore answers together.

4. Discover your story’s language.  Listen, reflect the child’s words, clarify with your own, and expand their loss vocabulary by sharing and defining important words.

5. Create a hopeful ending.  Just as in real life we don’t want to minimize a loss with platitudes, we don’t want a book about loss to get wrapped up in false glitter and bows–so think Hopeful rather than Happy for your ending. Your story might end in a joyful dance or a partly cloudy, reflective sky; either way, hope must be present. Hope is found in nature, future adventures, memories, places/activities that make us happy, and the people who love us. Usually a kid will find it for you. While writing Ida, Always , hope came from my memory of a kindergartener telling me, “It’s good we have hearts that beat, so we can remember the people we miss.”

6. Put it together.  Your book can be as simple as stapled drawing paper and crayons, or as crafty as collage, glitter glue, laminators, computer programs. Provide choices to gift your child feelings of creative control.

creative writing about a lost child

7. Share.  Provoke pride and celebrate your accomplishment by reading aloud and/or finding a special place for the book. Follow your child’s lead. They may want to move on or want to read it again and again. They may want to keep the book for themselves and you, or share with important family members. If your child wants to bring this personal and sensitive story to school or friends, be sure to discuss and make this choice with them. While communicating about a loss is essential, so is the choice of who, when, and how much to share. Sharing the story in the right situation can promote a sense of needed connection.

8. Reflect.  Ask your child how it felt to write this story together—and let them know how much it meant to you.

For more information, activity sheets, and resources on communicating about death and loss with children, refer to the free Ida, Always guide ( www.caronlevis.com) .

Caron Levis (MFA; LMSW) is the author of several picture books including the award winning Ida, Always about love and loss inspired by a real life polar bear friendship, which the New York Times Book Review calls, “an example of children’s books at their best.”  She is the coordinator for The New School’s Writing for Children/YA MFA program and facilitates loss and bereavement groups for children with The Jewish Board.

Tags: Books , Early childhood , Early Loss , Grieving Children , Literature , sliderblog , Writing Through Grief Published on February 4, 2019

More in How To

creative writing about a lost child

7 Tips for Reducing Feelings of Isolation April 2, 2020 · Comments Off on 7 Tips for Reducing Feelings of Isolation

7 Tips for Reducing Feelings of Isolation

By Modern Loss in How To

Loneliness is an every day thing, and not just in the age of ‘social distancing.' Here are some ways to care for your physical and mental wellbeing

creative writing about a lost child

10 Safe Movies to Watch During the Pandemic — Featuring the Stars of ‘Contagion’ and ‘Outbreak’ April 2, 2020 · Comments Off on 10 Safe Movies to Watch During the Pandemic — Featuring the Stars of ‘Contagion’ and ‘Outbreak’

10 Safe Movies to Watch During the Pandemic — Featuring the Stars of ‘Contagion’ and ‘Outbreak’

By Mara Reinstein in Helping Others , How To , Resources , Slider

Desperate for films that steer clear of triggering plot lines? A seasoned movie critic offers picks that provide guaranteed calm during a scary time.

Modern Loss 2020 gift guide

A Gift Guide for Grievers (and Those Who Love Them) December 1, 2020 · Comments Off on A Gift Guide for Grievers (and Those Who Love Them)

A Gift Guide for Grievers (and Those Who Love Them)

By Rebecca Soffer in Features , How To , Modern Loss Favorites , My Loss

From ego-boosting apparel to frame-worthy puzzles to an instant community, these gifts say ‘I know the holidays are rough, and I'm here for you.'

creative writing about a lost child

How to Support a Grieving Child During a Year That Makes No Sense November 24, 2020 · Comments Off on How to Support a Grieving Child During a Year That Makes No Sense

How to Support a Grieving Child During a Year That Makes No Sense

By Brie Overton in How To , Slider

We're all trying to figure out life as we move through COVID-19. That includes kids living with loss.

creative writing about a lost child

4 Steps to Writing Fiction About Loss February 26, 2020 · Comments Off on 4 Steps to Writing Fiction About Loss

4 Steps to Writing Fiction About Loss

By Laura Zigman in How To

Want to create grieving characters and storylines for your essay or novel? Here's my process.

creative writing about a lost child

12 Ways I Needed Support After My Baby Died February 3, 2020 · Comments Off on 12 Ways I Needed Support After My Baby Died

12 Ways I Needed Support After My Baby Died

By Evin Phoenix in How To , My Loss , Personal Essays

Society needs to do better with sharing the burden carried by bereaved parents. Here's how.

creative writing about a lost child

Widgets In Tabs

  • 5 Things to Do Before Visiting a Psychic Medium
  • My Dead Husband, the Serial Adulterer
  • The 9 Things No One Tells You About Scattering Ashes
  • The Half Life of Love
  • My Cat’s Death Broke My Brain

Most Shared

  • After My Husband’s Death, I Found Myself Again through Mr. Mister and Mexico
  • Is There Sex After Death?
  • A Trauma Therapist’s 3-Part Holiday Grief Plan
  • When ‘Fine’ Is Anything But
  • The Second Burial

What We’re Reading

  • The Movement to Bring Death Closer [NYT Magazine]
  • Whose Grief? Our Grief [GQ]
  • He Met George Floyd in Sixth Grade. Now He's Grieving Alongside Millions. [NBC News]
  • We Can’t Comprehend This Much Sorrow [NY Times]
  • The Familial Language of Black Grief [The Atlantic]

We're so glad you're here. While you are, subscribe to our spam-free newsletter.

 alt=

Grieving the Loss of a Child: How Parents Cope 

Aubrey Freitas is a former Registered Behavioral Therapist (RBT) who has two Bachelor of Arts degrees from UCLA in Psychology and English. She is a Certified Resilience Peer through her work with the Depression Grand Challenge, and a lifelong mental health advocate.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

The loss of a child is an extremely difficult and traumatic event that changes the lives of everyone in the family and that often leaves an overwhelming feeling of emptiness. There are many stages of grieving the loss of a child, as well as ways to help you and your family cope with the loss.

Allow Yourself to Grieve

There is no right or wrong way to grieve the loss of a child, and it's important to allow yourself time to grieve both on your own and together as a family. Allow yourself to feel and sit with your emotions as they come, and try not to assign judgment to them, or yourself, whatever they may be.

  • How to Create an Obituary in 11 Steps
  • Best Places to Find Grief Support for Parents Who Lost a Child
  • Grieving the Death of an Unborn Baby: Ways to Cope

Be Gentle With Yourself

Losing a child can feel like your whole world is falling apart, and can bring with it feelings of confusion, devastation, and overwhelming sadness. No parent is prepared for the death of their child, and it's important to remember to be gentle with yourself and your feelings. Heartbreak and loss are not easy things to experience, so be kind to yourself as you experience an array of emotions.

Ways to Help Yourself Grieve

If you find yourself struggling with experiencing or moving through the phases of the grieving process , know that is completely normal. There are some ways to support your grieving that may help you better connect with, experience, and understand your emotions, including:

  • Talking about the child you have lost often.
  • Using their name.
  • Allowing yourself plenty of time before going through their belongings.
  • Preparing for the fact that people around you may not know what to say.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

Grieving the loss of a child is emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausting, which is why it's important for you to look after your health during this time. It can be easy to neglect your medical needs when your grief can feel all-encompassing, but your health is still important at this time. Some common health side effects of grief are:

  • Increased stress
  • Lowered immune system
  • Increased inflammation
  • High blood pressure
  • Worsening of diabetes
  • Changes in appetite

Importance of Physical Activity

As mentioned, grieving can take a toll on your body. Physical activity has been proven to have positive health benefits for both the body and mind and is often utilized in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy regimens. It can feel difficult to even get out of bed when you're grieving, but exercise increases endorphins in your body and will help break the cycle of thoughts, physical sensations, and behaviors of grieving. Don't feel like you need to go on a mile run or even go to the gym. Aim for small, simple amounts of activity throughout your day, and try not to judge yourself or your body for whatever you can accomplish. Find what feels good for you. Some ways to increase physical activity are:

  • Going on a walk
  • Doing a simple yoga flow
  • Caring for pets

Set Boundaries

It may be helpful for you to set boundaries with your friends and family at this time in order for you to focus on your healing. It's okay to let loved ones know that their phone calls of sympathy feel more like a burden than support at the current moment, and that their invitations to hang out aren't what you need right now. If you need space during your grieving process, ask for it. Know that you don't need to explain your choices or feelings to others, even if they push you to explain. Some helpful phrases may be:

  • I appreciate you calling, but it's really hard for me to answer the phone right now. I'll call you when I'm ready.
  • I know you invited me over to give me comfort, but I'm not ready for that yet. I'll let you know when I am.
  • I appreciate you stopping by, but I don't have the energy right now and it makes me feel like I have to put on a brave face.

Ways to Find Comfort and Cope

There are many ways that you and your family can find comfort and support throughout the grieving process, whether it be through therapy, support groups, creative outlets, or a combination of them.

Seek Professional Help

Finding a supportive mental health professional will help you explore the stages of grief, manage and understand your emotions, and find coping strategies that work for you. Accepting help after the loss of a child can be difficult, as it is a natural response to want to isolate and grieve in private. However, therapy offers a safe space for you and your family to express your feelings with a professional who is dedicated to helping you.

Join a Support Group

Joining a support group is a good way of finding a sense of community for parents who are grieving the death of a child. Losing a child is a heartbreaking event, one that may only be understood by others who have gone through it themselves. There are several support groups dedicated to helping parents who have lost a child aimed at garnering comfort and support during this difficult time through sharing stories and building a community. Some support groups are:

  • Grieving.com
  • The Compassionate Friends
  • Bereaved Parents of the USA
  • Grieving Parents
  • Gerard's House

Explore a New Hobby

Finding a creative outlet for your grief, whatever it may be, is a way of helping you express and understand your feelings. It can be a welcome distraction that helps you turn off intrusive thoughts, and maybe even find a moment of joy during your day. Some ways to get creative are:

  • Creative Writing - This can look like writing fictional short stories, poetry, or even journaling. Studies have found that creative writing can help heal trauma , as well as build resilience .
  • Knitting - Studies have shown that knitting can actually lower blood pressure and improve mental health. Now, it is often referred to as " mindful knitting ."
  • Coloring - Coloring helps people refocus their attention away from their thoughts and to the task at hand, and it reduces stress and anxiety . There are several adult coloring books available, and many coloring pages are available online .

Activity Planning

Setting small, manageable goals for yourself is one way of maintaining a basic routine. A routine can help bring about a sense of normalcy into your life despite the fact that you are grieving. To start, keep your goals small. Listen to your body and don't push yourself beyond what is comfortable. As time goes on, your activities can become more elaborate, and maybe even be related to socializing or trying to have fun.

Small Activities

Planning small activities is a good place to start when trying to establish a routine. Try to make your goals as specific as possible and keep them timely in order to increase your chances of achieving them. Some small goals to set at the start of the grieving process are:

  • I will eat a healthy meal this afternoon.
  • Tonight I am going to make sure I brush my teeth.
  • In the morning, I am going to change out of my pajamas into clothes.

Bigger Activities

As time goes on and you move through the grieving process, you may want to start planning bigger activities into your routine. These don't have to be set in place every day like the small activities, but planning one big goal every week can be helpful. Some bigger activities to plan are:

  • Going to visit a friend or relative on the weekend.
  • Planning a trip to the movies.
  • Making a nice dinner for yourself/others.

Create a Tradition to Honor Your Child's Memory

Losing a child can feel as though it changes the entire family dynamic because a space is now created that was once filled by a loved one. It's important to remember that you are still a family and that the child you lost will always be a part of that. Making a tradition, such as eating their favorite meal on their birthday, always celebrating their favorite holiday together, or taking a yearly visit to their favorite place, can help celebrate their memory. Find a tradition that makes sense for your family and loved one.

Rediscover Purpose in Your Life

As a parent, it is normal to never "get over" the loss of a child, and you shouldn't expect yourself to bounce back into being the exact same person you were before. Losing a child is something that you will carry with you throughout the rest of your life, and it may make you reflect on the bigger picture, but it's important to actually allow yourself to live your life. You are not betraying your child or their memory by finding and re-engaging in activities that make you happy.

There Is No Timeline

There is no set timeline for grieving the loss of a child, as it depends entirely on the individual and the specific situation they are facing. However long it takes for you to grieve is right, and it shows that you are working at your own pace. It can be frustrating to move back and forth between different stages of grief, and it may leave you wondering if you are making progress and if the end of your grief is any closer than when you started. Know that this is normal, and try not to judge yourself for your feelings. Healing isn't linear, and you are doing what is right for you.

Resources for Grieving the Loss of a Child

There are many resources that provide support and community for parents who are grieving the loss of a child. Some resources that are available include:

  • Mothers in Sympathy and Support Foundation
  • Center for Infant and Child Loss
  • Share - Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
  • National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children
  • First Candle

Grieving the Loss of a Child

Grieving the death of a child is an extremely painful endeavor that can leave parents feeling confused, angry, and devastated. The grieving process is not easy, but there are ways to find a sense of support in community and find meaning in life again. Being gentle with yourself and your emotions is an important thing to keep in mind as you experience grief, in order to find acceptance and move forward.

creative writing about a lost child

A weekly dose of happiness, fun, & how-tos

creative writing about a lost child

If you're an animal person, this is the newsletter for you

creative writing about a lost child

We try lots of products & share only those we love

* By signing up you agree to receive communications from LoveToKnow and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy . You may opt out of our email messages at any time.

creative writing about a lost child

You are here

The lost child: a novel.

creative writing about a lost child

Caryl Phillips’s  The Lost Child  is a sweeping story of orphans and outcasts, haunted by the past and fighting to liberate themselves from it. At its center is Monica Johnson―cut off from her parents after falling in love with a foreigner―and her bitter struggle to raise her sons in the shadow of the wild moors of the north of England. Phillips intertwines her modern narrative with the childhood of one of literature’s most enigmatic lost boys, as he deftly conjures young Heathcliff, the anti-hero of  Wuthering Heights , and his ragged existence before Mr. Earnshaw brought him home to his family.

The Lost Child is a multifaceted, deeply original response to Emily Bronte’s masterpiece,  Wuthering Heights . A critically acclaimed and sublimely talented storyteller, Caryl Phillips is “in a league with Toni Morrison and V. S. Naipaul” ( Booklist ) and “his novels have a way of growing on you, staying with you long after you’ve closed the book.” ( The New York Times Book Review ) A true literary feat,  The Lost Child  recovers the mysteries of the past to illuminate the predicaments of the present, getting at the heart of alienation, exile, and family by transforming a classic into a profound story that is singularly its own.

–Source: amazon.com

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

A Gallimaufry of my academic and creative writing - fiction, short stories, articles, musings, book reviews, technology, management, philosophy, self help, food, travel, health, inspirational and academic writing

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The lost child - my favourite short stories revisited part 16, © vikram karve., all rights reserved..

could be a little elaborate and i think if u add more good words it would be better..............

Post a Comment

  • International edition
  • Australia edition
  • Europe edition

Illustration of two figures on a giant piece of paper with writing on it. One is holding a giant pencil. On a pink background

Creative therapy and shared support can help with grief after losing a child

A retreat for grieving parents provides therapeutic benefits, writes a mother whose daughter was stillborn 22 years ago

A fter my daughter Grace died when I was eight months pregnant, my first impulse was to write it all down: the birth, surrounded by candles; the coffin and funeral where there should have been a christening; how her death had been accompanied by snowdrops fighting their way through the frozen ground in the first stirring of spring. I felt I was the only one really to have known her and I wanted her acknowledged. I wrote a diary as a way of making my daughter real, and published it in a magazine. It helped.

I’ve since learned that this is a common impulse in the bereaved – especially among bereaved parents, who feel an urgent and deep-seated need to remember and honour their children.

Grace’s death was unexplained, the autopsy revealed nothing, but I still felt her death had been my fault and I thought I would die from the pain. I saw a midwife counsellor, which helped me hugely, and when my daughter Edie was born, two and half years later, I felt my grief had been “cured”. And yet here I am 22 years later standing in a converted barn in the rolling Derbyshire hills preparing to remember my daughter, as part of a weekend organised by the Good Grief Project. I’m wearing a name tag that says as much: Sharon, remembering Grace. Sixteen other retreat guests are wearing similar name tags, all here to remember their children.

I had wanted to come here, to write about the retreat, not so much for myself, but to inform other bereaved parents that this brilliant charity exists; to let parents know that they don’t have to grieve alone and there are people here to support them.

The death of a child is thankfully rare, but it still affects more families than you might think. Approximately 6,000 people under the age of 24 die in the UK every year, leaving up to 50,000 newly bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. One in every 200 babies is stillborn. And while we’re getting better at talking about death generally – Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal has sold millions of copies and in recent years we’ve seen the burgeoning of “death dinners” where people grapple with their own mortality – the death of a child is still the last taboo.

Some courageous souls are beginning to break the silence. Mary Berry, whose son William died in a car crash at 19, has talked openly and movingly about her bereavement. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen recently posted on Instagram a photograph of them cradling their baby Jack, who they lost at 20 weeks, sparking a public outpouring of support, but also criticism that this public display of grief was too intimate, too personal. I completely understood their need to reach out and share their pain and though my initial reaction was shock, I then thought: “Thank God we’re having this conversation.”

The Active Grief Weekend is the work of bereaved parents Jane Harris and Jimmy Edmonds, whose son Josh died in a traffic accident in Vietnam, aged 22, in 2011. The pair are using their combined skills as a therapist and filmmaker to share their “active grief” philosophy with other bereaved parents. Jane and Jimmy’s other children, Joe and Rosa, are also here. Personal trainer Joe leads the fitness classes, while Rosa has taken time off from her job in film to cook for us. It is a retreat for the bereaved by the bereaved; all the workshop leaders are bereaved parents themselves.

“Being active and being creative has been our family’s way of coming to terms with Josh’s death,” says Jane. “We set up these retreats as a way of giving that to people who are grieving, because a lot of people said they just button it up or mask it. But the consequences of that can be incredibly damaging.” Jane knows from her work as a therapist that grief has a horrible way of finding its way out, whether that’s through mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, or physical illness.

“The family realised that our love for Josh wasn’t going to go away and we were going to have to find new ways of incorporating him into our lives. You think you might die from the pain and the heartbreak, but we have learned as bereaved parents that there is a process of internalising. You find ways to fold your child into your heart. You think that you will forget the sound of their voice, or the experiences you had with them, but you don’t.” The couple have made several films about grief and Jimmy, a Bafta-winning filmmaker, has published a book of photographs, Released , dedicated to his son.

The weekend is broken into creative and active sessions designed to help parents process their emotions and talk about their children. It provides a rare opportunity for bereaved parents to talk to other bereaved parents; where, finally, they don’t have to put on a brave face and can talk openly about their children. No one has to say they feel “fine” here.

“If you’re in the early stages of grief, this is a safe space to say, ‘My child has died and I want to die’ and nobody is going to say, ‘Call the psychiatrist,’” says Jane. “People are going to say: “I felt that too and that was 10 years ago, but now I feel stronger.’ So it’s a hopeful environment.”

Parents come from all walks of life. Some are recently bereaved – one mother, Emma, lost her daughter Ruby to leukaemia just four months ago – and others many years ago. There is no sell-by date on grief for a child.

The causes of death run the gamut of tragedies: many of the children have lost their lives to cancer, others to accidents. Around a quarter of the parents here are bereaved by suicide, a particularly heavy cross for any parent to bare, as their grief is so often compounded by feelings of guilt, shame and stigma.

One couple, Tracey and Mick, are grieving for all three of their children, Kayleigh, Sarah and Michael, who have died as the result of a rare genetic condition, aged 20, 22 and 33.

All bereaved parents want to remember and honour their children, but not everyone finds it possible to talk. It’s too painful and too raw. Our creative writing teacher Jo Bousfield, here to remember her daughter Harry, explains that writing can help us get a bit of distance. “The words can buzz around in your head, but there’s something about getting them down that can give you a bit of space and you can get some new thoughts.”

We’ve each been asked to bring pictures of our children, ones that mean something to us, with the view of creating a new photograph of our child. Jane and Jimmy have provided boxes of props and some parents have also brought their own mementos to incorporate into the photographs. I put my faded Polaroid of Grace on a lace swatch from the prop box and surround her with flowers picked in the meadow, but I don’t feel compelled to put myself in the image. She is so small and delicate, like a tiny ghost, and I don’t want to overwhelm her. When I look at what the other parents have done, each image tells a story. Many of the men, who have remained largely silent, have expressed a powerful sense of love and loss in their images. Mick is surprised to find he has placed himself at the centre of his three children. The look in his eyes speaks volumes.

Other parents clearly got a lot out of the weekend, too. “I felt a need to meet other bereaved parents and to meet them in person, not just over Zoom,” Emma tells me. “I wanted living proof that they live, that they can breathe and that they laugh. That there is a possibility of thriving. All the activities were an added bonus.”

Of course, nothing can fix life for a parent whose child has died. But Jane and Jimmy and their family show that life can go on and be good again, or “good enough” as Jane puts it – and good enough is fine.

After Josh died, Jane’s stepson Joe connected with Josh’s best friend Hollie. “They got incredibly close in their grief and fell in love. So out of this tragedy we have this very bittersweet thing,” says Jane. “I wish Josh hadn’t died and I’d do anything to bring him back, but Josh is dead and I can honestly say I’m OK with that now. It’s the worst thing that Josh died, but it’s the most beautiful thing that I have two beautiful grandchildren.”

For information on the Good Grief Project and Active Grief weekends , go to thegoodgriefproject.co.uk . Jane and Jimmy’s film, A Love that Never Dies, screens on the website on 3 December as part of National Grief Awareness Week #NGAW

  • Death and dying
  • Self and wellbeing
  • Parents and parenting
  • Health & wellbeing

Most viewed

Why You Never Really Stop Grieving the Loss of a Child

For the rest of my life, I'll be missing the should-haves.

this image is not available

The day I realized Charlie would have turned 13 months hit me and hit me hard. Lincoln, my first started walking at 12.5 months. He should be walking right now. And for a moment, I imagined my life as if I were normal. I'd walk out of this room, and there he would be, toddling, getting into things he shouldn't be, pulling every book off the shelf, just because he could. He'd leave a constant trail of clutter everywhere he went.

I'd walk out of the room, lay eyes on him, and when he saw me, he would smile, a big toothy grin. He'd have six teeth. Drool would be dripping down his chin, a pool around the collar of his shirt. His brother, Lincoln, would be nearby. Lincoln could never resist staying far from him. They would be sharing toys, and I know Lincoln would be getting frustrated and throwing a tantrum in there. I also know that Charlie always laughed the most when Lincoln would throw a fit.

Charlie would be in the perfect hand-me-downs, all the clothes I couldn't resist buying on the Target clearance racks for Lincoln, Charlie would be wearing them in with the same chubby thighs, bulging belly, and perfect arm rolls.

He'd be saying momma right now. He'd cry my name out when he would get mad, and you know what? I wouldn't even mind for one second. I'd do anything to hear "momma" just once from that sweet voice.

And when he cried, I'd scoop him into my arms, hold him like the baby he once was, and I'd kiss his perfect lips. I'd tell him that his mommy loves him, and that I'm right here as I rubbed his sandy blonde hair, and wiped the tears as they rolled down his cheeks.

It's fun to play pretend. It gives my heart a moment of relief. That's the way it should be — Charlie, healthy and whole and in my arms. Me, the mother of two boys who keep me running constantly with tired eyes, stained shirts, and an overflowing heart. This is the way it should be, except seven months ago, when his little lungs became too sick from congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, I held him in my arms while he breathed his final breath, and I kissed him for the last time.

I didn't just lose a baby. I lost a toddler. 

I lost a goofy 3-year-old, making mischief, causing me stress, and making me giggle at his silly comments.

I lost a kindergartner, backpack on, running to kiss me with sweaty blonde hair and dirt under his fingernails at school pick-up.

I lost a third grader, helping him with math problems, and still tucking him in at night.

I lost a preteen. Reminding him to put his deodorant on everyday. Reminding him that no matter how insecure he might feel, his mom will always have his back.

I lost a high schooler. Cheering him on at a game, helping him prep for his first big date, watching as he grows into independence as a young man, one that I raised.

I lost an adult child. One who I would love forever, because no matter how old I will grow, he would always be my baby.

All the things Charlie could be. All the things he should be. I lost, and instead I hold a child-size walnut urn and cling to every memory I hold from six and a half months in my arms.

When we lose our children, we don't just lose them at the stage they were when they passed. We lose them at every stage we missed, and our hearts will forever ache with that knowledge. There's a whole crock of crap that says grief follows a method. It stays neatly in lines, clean, tame, strategic. When a child dies before a parent, there is nothing normal, neat clean, or tame about that. 

For the rest of my life, I'll be missing the should-haves. His little years. His growing years. The moments he should be making me rip my hair out, then the sweet ones, like the day I take him to get his license. Or the day he tells me he is going to propose. Or the day that he becomes a father. I'll never get those days. Grief will never be methodical or neat.

And one thing I've learned from mothers much further along in this journey than me: grief doesn't end. Out of a broken, beating heart comes endless love as it ebbs and flows through the constant cycles of grief. Sometimes gentle, sometimes heavy. The reminders are always there. The love is always there. After all, a mother never stops loving the child she carried.

this image is not available

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Parenting Tips & Advice

prince william in auckland

105 Beautiful Irish Girl Names for Your New Baby

irish boy names

125 Unique Irish Boy Names for Your Little Guy

mother teaching teenage son to drive

The Best Ways for Parents to Teach Teens to Drive

young girl and boy sit on a bench by a sunny window and gaze out

"Bird Nesting" for Divorced Parents Is on the Rise

rattleshaped bath bombs and charcuterie cups are two good housekeeping picks for best baby shower ideas

70 Creative Baby Shower Ideas

cute five month old baby on sofa staring at camera

These Are the Hottest Baby Boy Names for 2024

Family New Year celebration

35 Lucky New Year's Traditions to Kick off 2024

same sex couple playing with a deck of conversation cards

What Therapy Taught Us About Parenting

pink letter board chore chart

How Big Families Handle Their Households

woman pulling 'key to success' card from a pile of game playing cards on yellow background

The Myth of the ”Primary” Parent

adorable newborn baby girl in pink

Baby Girl Name Trends of 2024

Creative writing

For many people. writing or talking about their experience can be very valuable. We welcome people sharing with their experience or thoughts through writing.  We have run creative writing workshops at some of our family days, where the group work on a piece of writing together, each contributing to it. The finished results are often very poignant, powerful and a real work of collaboration.

Expressive Writing- how to get started

This is a method often used to push through writer’s block. It frees you up and can feel quite liberating. It’s often called ‘free writing’.

Nobody will ever read it. You don’t even have to read it over yourself afterwards if you don’t want to. All you need is a sheet of paper, a pen, and a timer (you can use your phone). You can start with a 3 minute workout if you prefer and if it works for you, time yourself in 15 minute blocks.

The rules are: none of the usual writing rules apply. So forget writing in sentences, punctuation, spelling, grammar. Just write down whatever comes into your head. If you feel yourself getting stuck, write down flower names or fruit or animal names. As long as your pen keeps moving across the page, you’re getting it out and that’s the aim of the exercise.

If you want to, you can read it later yourself. You’d be surprised at what comes out. A word, a phrase, a thought may strike you.  If you do read it over you might like to highlight some words. It can be quite powerful to do this and might just end up as part of a poem.

We usually journal in the first person. Again, it’s up to you as to whether you want to free write or follow the rules of punctuation, spelling and grammar.

For this exercise, try some journal entries in the 3rd person.  This allows you to maintain a certain distance from what is, essentially your own story. It can be an interesting exercise.

Instead of e.g. “This morning when I woke the first thing I did was reach for my phone.” This becomes “This morning when she/he woke the first thing she/he did was reach for her phone.” Immediately it reads like a story about someone else, which again, can feel quite liberating.

The Way you…

There’s a writing exercise that gives you the beginning of a sentence, then you have to finish the sentence and this sentence then acts as the springboard into a story. You can adapt this to create your own poetry from your memories.

Finishing the memory: The way you…

Putting some memories together can lead to the basis for a poem. This might be an exercise you would like to try at home or with other members of the family.

Writing a letter to the person who you are missing.  What would you like to say to them? What would you like them to know?

This can feel very cathartic and can also help you not only to ‘get it out’ but also get it out in public. It’s possible to keep your blog private but you can choose to share it. Be prepared for comments and bear in mind that you may be taken by surprise to learn that someone you know (or a stranger) is aware of whatever it is you have chosen to blog about.

Can be very helpful and some people find it has a therapeutic value, feeling that by sharing their situation and how it makes them feel, obstacles they encounter and things they find helpful, it might help other people. There are a number of different blogging platforms on the internet where you can start up a blog for free.

Written by families together at workshops or events

When I was a child, I held seashells to my ear to hear the wind. Echoes of the Sea. This shell, smooth and full of time has many stories to tell.

Fibonacci perfection, the feeling of a shark’s tooth touch. Creamy surface becoming milk coffee pearl. The centre whispering secrets.

The shell reminds me of being at seaside when I was a child. I can hear the sea when I put the shell up to my ear. It’s the sound of the sea.

Nature’s harsh carapace, helter-skelter of the deep. Hiding sonorous oceans, once wet with the mighty waves and within a hermit. Who?

06/10/2018 Family Members V.A, C.A, A.G, S.G, T.I

Moment in Time

Stillness and tranquillity In the mind and around me. Sparkle in the icy ground And blue sky above me.

Cold blue waves Against a white curve. Solid in my hand. See the crystals glisten In the passing light.

Harsh and strong. Edges to hurt. Colours to love. Gentle waves on granite. Patterns to remember, Like memories.

Family members M.O, J.B, T.O

In a moment of stillness

In a moment of stillness I find peace in the flicker of a candle

My mum always lights a candle for my sister She has a little shrine with a picture of her. In this photograph, she smiles, and she looks at the photographer.

Smooth hewn turning sphere of golden magic with black filled holes.

Round, smooth and holding the fire.

The fire in my heart, flaming with desire.

So perfect- no flaws Everything comes full circle. But when!

A smooth circle, of strong wood, never-ending- no beginning- no end, like my love for my family

Life goes on in circles; we wait for news of you; our journey has not been smooth, we keep a candle burning;

As a living tree, I wonder about all of the life that you saw pass by…

One piece of wood, looking like one globe of the world. What if the world looked like this?

Soft curving marble-lie around the hard-soft surface of the moon

In a moment of tranquillity, the globe stops revolving. All is still, frozen in time, just like our memories

Family members and Missing People staff 2020

V.N, V.A, M.J, R.S, J.S, T.O, M.T, B.S, C.M, M.M

The Message

“Just so you know, we found a bone

As yet, identity’s unknown

There’s confirmation to be done

But it could be your missing son.

We cannot tell you very much

It’s likely press will be in touch

It’s quite important you’re aware

You could be in the public glare.

We were lucky to find this

These things are so easy to miss.

And it seems strange that this was found

Beside a tree near the playground

By a lady and her son

As they went for their morning run

They were really quite upset

We haven’t checked in with them yet.

This could mean a big breakthrough

And could be closure now, for you.

We’re sure you must feel satisfied

At least you’ll know that he has died.

We’ll let you know if it is him

Read more…

Finding your way 

Therapeutic

Love, hope, whisper, singing, dancing, joy, dreaming, family

Pigeon wings

Free-flowing, self-healing, essence, feel, creation, joy, free to fly freedom

Time, beautiful, destiny, strength, energy, originality, music, art

Retrospect, respect, truthful, sensitive, enquiring, bright, value, love

Lost, soulmate, limbo of darkness

Outwardly, calm, inwardly, screaming, present, our, lives, stars

Breathe, crumbling, control, cackles

Emotional, faces look back, thinking, crying inside, attending, everyday away

Love wings to fly, far away, open heart, free, love, screaming, heartache, mothers love, broken, come home

Voice, hugs, dancing, empty, the world is turning but I can’t move, paralysed, living in a parallel world

Glimpses of fresh bursts of vibrant joy

Stiffness like a termite scrambles through fragile stumbling stations

Sadness is natural

Sunshine brings out the best in everyone

Hide behind sorrow

Family members at the Creative Writing session, Family Day 2021

A place of peace and tranquillity

I am driving Nina part way to Hastings to visit her dad, and we decide we will stop off for a walk, despite the gruesome weather.  The chosen destination is Firle Beacon, a place with which we are vaguely familiar, from when Nina did the South Downs Way in 2020.   It is the usual landscape, green rolling hills, a metallic structure at the peak for lord knows what, three hundred and sixty degree views,  and miles and miles of country paths.  Normally, you would be able to see the sea just east of Brighton, and look across to the other rolling hills of Ditchling beacon, as well as a smattering of villages and farms in all directions.

But today it is misty, and blustery, and I do not think I will see much.   I am still in my post-operative recovery, ten weeks after my second hip operation, and I feel fragile on country paths.  It is the mud,  boot-sole-thick and squelchy, glassy and treacherous.  I cannot afford to slip, so I have a stick with me, to steady my stride, and help me if I feel my feet about to slide from beneath me.

Nina gets out of the car first, as is her way, and is already stomping off with the dog in the opposite direction to the way I intend to walk.  I am slow to get out of the car, used to shortening the length of walk I undertake to thirty minutes or thereabouts, and it has become a routine for me to loiter in the car for a few minutes, sometimes even longer, driven by my annoying but habitual need to check my phone, or  time-waste by playing a game.  Today, I am simply gathering belongings – hats, gloves, coat, the stick, but I have become slow and elderly in the way I move, and Nina is already at the first gate on the other side of the car park by the time I emerge.  She is going against the wind, and later tells me she could feel it pushing her on.

Sharing your experience

Many families write or record their thoughts and share them with us. We are always looking for more people to help us fill our Lived Experiences categories, a bank of testimonials, memories and thoughts from people affected by missing.  Have a look at others words and thoughts and maybe you will consider sharing something with others

Sign up to be a Digital Search Hero

We have launched a weekly email so that you can be aware of new missing person appeals and share them far and wide! We are also calling on all Heroes to be the eyes and ears for Missing People on the ground. Your sighting of a missing person could make a difference in a crucial time.

Privacy Overview

 alt=

Search for creative inspiration

19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

lost - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

  • a lost child
When I was lost, only you could find me because I had become so very scared of others, of the world, of being so vulnerable all the time. The only safe place was with you. So. You will always be able to find me. I will always stay with you.
I guess "lost" is a matter of perspective, I kinda enjoy being where I am.
Though I am lost, I am somewhere. Once I become accustomed to this place it will be home, I'll make my roots here instead of there.
Whom I love I find again, to them my "loss" is but passing moments.
The composed soul, the steady heart, the engaged brain will always find their way home. That's what I believe. So. Be stoic. Feel your calm self return to the uppermost surface of the self. Breathe. "Lost" is tempoarary. You are your own compass.
To trust yourself when all doubt. To lead from a danger only you can see clearly. To explain enable the blind to see. To give people the power to hear the extraordinary in the ordinary, the everyday and normal encryption of the spoken word. To show them the messages and conversations that happen all around us to different levels of the brain. That's quite the challenge. That's quite the challenge when until you can prove it they will think you mad and threaten you with the consequences that come to the insane. To speak and risk the twisting of the knaves of sophistry. That is what they ask. Last time I complied I almost died. I almost lost everything for nothing. So, tell me again why, tell me why this is the time, because even if it is now or never I won't unless I can win. I know more than most what these adventures into the world of the saviours costs... and the cost is never to myself alone. You know what? I do trust myself. I do. It's every other bastard out there I don't trust. This is a world of monsters. So many monsters.

Sign in or sign up for Descriptionar i

Sign up for descriptionar i, recover your descriptionar i password.

Keep track of your favorite writers on Descriptionari

We won't spam your account. Set your permissions during sign up or at any time afterward.

  • Free Samples
  • Premium Essays
  • Editing Services Editing Proofreading Rewriting
  • Extra Tools Essay Topic Generator Thesis Generator Citation Generator GPA Calculator Study Guides Donate Paper
  • Essay Writing Help
  • About Us About Us Testimonials FAQ
  • Studentshare
  • Creative Writing
  • The Child Got Lost at the Crowd

The Child Got Lost at the Crowd - Essay Example

The Child Got Lost at the Crowd

  • Subject: Creative Writing
  • Type: Essay
  • Level: High School
  • Pages: 4 (1000 words)
  • Downloads: 764
  • Author: dwalter

Extract of sample "The Child Got Lost at the Crowd"

  • bad girl declamation
  • the day i got lost by isaac bashevis singer
  • Cited: 40 times
  • Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied Copy Citation Citation is copied

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Child Got Lost at the Crowd

Renaissance madonna and child triptych, loss of imagination and magic, young goodman brown, compare three cinematic figures of jesus christ, compare the two ballads the three ravens and the twa corbies, the symbolism of evil - the lottery and young goodman brown, the abyss between the mentalities of urban and rural dwellers, how did the mountain men interact with the native american crow tribe during 1800 to 1840.

creative writing about a lost child

  • TERMS & CONDITIONS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • COOKIES POLICY

*Binoculars*

  • ▼   Fans

creative writing about a lost child

The Lost Child

creative writing about a lost child

  • Refer a Member
  • Link To Writing.Com
  • Copyright Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Terms of Service
  • Close An Account
  • Genre Listing
  • Self Publishing
  • Web Hosting
  • Writing Classes
  • Writing Prompts
  • Newsletters
  • Site Archive
  • Get Started
  • Writing.Com 101

Places of Interest: Unique Wedding Invitations for unique wedding needs. Color Copiers found here. Baby Names can be hard to pick. Hands-free hygenic toilet seats covers . Dramatic Music rocks. Vampires are people too. Write Poetry here. Try this Stock Market quiz. Teaching is a noble job. Get info on Tax Refunds .

  • Guest Posts

5 Fun Tricks for Teaching Your Child Creative Writing

Whether your child is just learning to read or in middle school , it’s never too early or too late to help them become a more creative writer. While some children naturally excel at writing, many need some guidance in this skill. Here are some fun ways to teaching your child creative writing and helping them become a better creative writer.

The more you read to your child, the more words and storylines they will absorb. Hearing and seeing as many words as possible will help them form the ability to create their own sentences and stories. If your child is young and cannot read on their own, you should:

  • Read a variety of books with them.
  • Ask them simple questions about the story like how the characters are related or what they are doing.
  • Allow your child to choose books they want to read and ask them about their choices.
  • Start all of this when your kids are young. If you’re out and about a lot, get a reversible stroller so you can face them and easily read with/to your kids.

If your child is old enough to read:

  • Encourage them to read out loud with you.
  • Encourage them to read a variety of books, but also allow them to choose books they enjoy. You can even check out our selection of reading lists  to get you started.
  • Set aside time for them to read with your or alone every day
  • Ask them more complex questions about the stories like what the characters’ motives are or why they may be good or bad

Practice Storytelling

Creative writers are good storytellers. Foster storytelling in your children by encouraging them to make up stories. For younger children, you can:

  • Ask them to tell you a story by helping them come up with one or two main characters
  • Encourage them to tell you about the characters by asking them questions about what they are going to do or what problem they will solve
  • Help them figure out how the characters will perform the task or solve the problem
  • Write their story down and read it back to them

For older children, you can:

  • Help them come up with a plotline, or give them a prompt to start with
  • Find some different images from the Internet or magazines that you can use as prompts
  • Start by drawing some pictures with them and create a story from those pictures
  • Have them write their story down or take turns writing the story with them
  • Ask them questions about their story, so they can work on streamlining it in a way that makes sense

Looking for story prompts? Check out these cool writing prompts .

You can also foster storytelling by continually asking questions about the world around you. When you’re out and about, you can ask your child where you think different people are going, shopping for, or planning to do next. If you see an animal, ask them what they think the animal is up to or what their life is like. After you get home from the park or another fun place, have them tell you about what they did and what their favourite part was.

When working with your child on storytelling, do not worry about grammar. Focus on helping them grow in their creativity and ability to think about the story. You can work on grammar another time like when they’re learning about it in school.

If you are interested in further information on how to bring out your child’s inner storyteller skills, check out these 10 storytelling activities for kids .

Playwriting can help your child become a more creative writer because it helps them focus on piecing a plot together in a sensible way. Work with them on putting together a short play. You can invite friends or siblings to play the characters. The play does not need to be long or have many characters. Once you’ve taken a little time to write up a plot, you can:

  • Grab some props and costumes for your actors
  • Make a little “stage” – it can just be a large space, or it can be something more formal like a platform
  • Have your children act out the parts
  • Allow your child to re-write scenes (or aid them in re-writing) as they recognize plot holes or parts that don’t make sense

Paper finger puppets can be a great way to role-play difference scenes and improve your child’s narrative skills. Sign up to the Imagine Forest newsletter for free monthly finger puppet printables to your inbox.

Create Fun Projects

If your child doesn’t enjoy coming up with stories or is not as imaginative, come up with some more concrete writing projects. These projects should have a set goal but allow for some creativity. They can serve as a stepping stone for helping your child write more creatively. Some examples include:

  • Writing a letter for your holiday greeting cards, updating your friends and family on what you’ve been doing throughout the year. These DIY animal envelopes and letter writing prompts can be a great idea for kids.
  • Writing invitations and thank you notes for parties.
  • Creating a dinner menu for guests who come over.
  • Writing an article for a local or neighbourhood newsletter.
  • Writing emails as correspondence to family and friends.
  • Setting your child up with a pen pal for letter writing.

The more words your child learns, the more they will have to work with when writing. Knowing more words and how they can be used will help them grow their ability to write creatively. You can play fun word games with your child to expand their vocabulary and overall thinking. Some popular ones include:

  • Catchphrase

And don’t forget video games can be also great for improving literacy skills . Just remember to moderate your child’s time so they don’t spend too much time playing video games.

Any tips for teaching your child creative writing?

The most important part of teaching your child creative writing is to be a source of encouragement. Allow your child the freedom to be as creative as they want when coming up with a story, and try not to reject their ideas. Focus instead on asking a lot of questions and expanding their vocabulary. As they grow more confident and skilled, they will be able to better share their ideas and edit their own writing. Do you have any more writing tips for teaching your child creative writing? Let us know in the comments below.

Five Fun Tricks to Teaching Your Child Creative Writing - imagine forest

Jenn is a blogger for Mommy Stroller, which focuses on helping parents figure out which stroller and baby gear they should get. The blog was started by Evelyn and her husband, Paul, who both decided to blog about baby gear after the overwhelming feeling they experienced when trying to pick out their first stroller. Both of them enjoy spending time with family and friends, live music, and going on jogs with their kids (in a stroller).

Related Posts

How to Look for Inspiration for Your Kids Creative Writing imagine forest

Comments loading...

thinkwritten site icon

ThinkWritten

300 Fun Writing Prompts for Kids: Story Starters, Journal Prompts & Ideas

' src=

Are you a parent or teacher? Here are 300 fun and creative writing prompts for kids to spark the imagination of young writers everywhere. Use these kids writing ideas as journaling prompts, story starters or just for fun!

origami, paper, folding

We may receive a commission when you make a purchase from one of our links for products and services we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for support!

Sharing is caring!

It’s never too early to start writing, and so we’ve created this fun list of 300 creative kids writing prompts for teacher and parents to use.

You’ll love these fun ideas for kids writing prompts to use as creative sparks to get young imaginations writing in no time!

writing prompts for kids

These are perfect to use as kids journal writing prompts, as short story writing prompts, or just for exercises to help students and children of all ages tap into their creativity. Maybe your kids will write an essay, maybe a poem, or maybe even a whole book!

Whether you are a teacher or parent looking to inspire your kids to write, or maybe even an adult who would like to practice writing with a more playful and young-hearted approach, I hope you find these creative writing prompts inspiring!

Buy the Printable Cards!  We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an  ad-free printable version of these prompts  in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

The Ultimate List of 300 Fun & Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

#1. Imagine a giant box is delivered to your front doorstep with your name on it. What’s inside and what happens when you open it?

#2. Write a short story about what it might be like if you woke up one morning with a mermaid tail.

#3. Which is better, winter or summer? Write about the reasons why you think winter or summer is better.

#4. Write about what would it be like if you had an alligator as a pet.

#5. If you had $1,000, what would you buy and why?

#6. Write a story using these 5 words: apple, train, elephant, paper, banjo

#7. What do you want be when you grow up and why?

#8. Who is your favorite person on the planet? What do you like most about that person?

#9. If you could have any secret super power, what would you want it to be and why?

#10. Write about 3 places you would like to travel someday. What do these three places have in common?

#11. Write about a time you felt really happy. What happened? What made you feel happy?

#12. Imagine what would happen if someone shrunk you down to be only 1″ tall. How would your life change?

#13. If you were in charge of the whole world, what would you do to make the world a happier place?

#14. Write a story about what it would be like to climb to the very top of the highest mountain in the world.

#15. If you were in charge of planning the school lunch menu, what foods would you serve each day?

#16. What are some of your favorite animals? What do you like about them?

writing prompt card for kids example

#17. Imagine that dogs take over the world. What do they make the humans do?

#18. Write a story about flying to outer space and discovering a new planet.

#19. You are a mad scientist and have invented a new vegetable. What is it called? What does it look like? What does it taste like? Most importantly: Is it safe to eat?

#20. You go to school one morning to discover your best friend has been turned into a frog by an evil witch! How do you help your friend?

#21. Describe what it is like when trees lose all of their leaves in the autumn season.

#22. Write about your favorite sport and why you like it so much.

#23. Imagine what it might be like to live on a boat all the time and write about it.

#24. If you had one wish, what would it be?

#25. Write about what you might do if you have the super power to become invisible.

#26. You are walking through the forest when one of the trees starts talking to you. What does it say? What do you do?

#27. The weather forecast is calling for a blizzard in the middle of the summer. What do you do?

#28. What types of transportation will people have in the future?

#29. What were some of your favorite toys when you very little? Do you still enjoy playing with them?

#30. What would a day in your life be like if you were a movie star?

#31. Imagine you’ve invented a time machine! What year do you travel to?

#32. What are your favorite things to do over summer vacation?

#33. What is your favorite holiday and why?

#34. If you could meet any fictional character from a book, who would it be?

#35. You are writing a travel guide for kids visiting your city. What places do you think they should visit?

#36. What is a food you hate? Write about it!

#37. Imagine what it would be like if there was no electricity. What would be different in your daily routine?

#38. You are building a new city! What types of things do you think your city needs? How will you convince people to move to your new city?

#39. What is your favorite movie? Write your review of the movie and why you think people should watch it.

magic sweater writing prompt for kids

#40. Imagine you get a magic sweater for your birthday. What happens when you wear the sweater? What do you do with these new found magical powers?

#41. You are the security guard at the zoo and someone has stolen a rhinoceros! How do you track down the thief?

#42. You have been invited to have lunch with the queen. What foods do you eat and what topics do you and the queen discuss?

#43. If you could design a school uniform, what types of clothes would you suggest? What colors would they be?

#44. Imagine you are a reporter interviewing a celebrity about their life. What questions do you ask?

#45. You are running a lemonade stand. Describe the steps for how you make lemonade and the types of customers you see during the day.

#46. Write a story about being the ruler of an underwater world.

#47. Write an acrostic poem for the word “treehouse”.

#48. You decide to grow a sunflower, but the sunflower grows so tall it reaches up to the sky! Write about what happens when you decide to climb to the top. What do you discover?

#49. Imagine you look out the window and it is raining popsicles from the sky! Write a story about the experience.

#50. If you could be any animal, which one would you be and why?

#51. If you were on a spaceship, what would you be most excited about seeing?

#52. Do you have any pets at home? Write an essay about how you take care of your pets. If you do not have a pet, what type of pet might you like?

writing prompts for pets

#53. Imagine you are opening a store that only sells items which are blue. What types of items do you sell?

#54. Have you ever lost something that is important to you? Were you able to find it?

#55. Write a story about a kid who is moving to a new school. How do you think they might feel?

#56. Rewrite the ending of your favorite fairy tale. For example, what would have happened if Cinderella never went to the ball?

#57. Have you ever forgotten to do your homework? What happened?

#58. Do you have a favorite song? Write about the type of music you like to listen to.

#59. Imagine your parents wake you up one morning to tell you they will take you to do anything you want to do for the whole day – you don’t even have to go to school or do your chores. What would you choose to do and why?

#60. Do you like amusement parks? What are some of your favorite rides?

#61. Write a story using these three words: detective, piano, and pizza.

#62. Have you ever been to the beach? Write about your favorite things to do. If you have never been to the beach, what would you like to do the first time you visit?

#63. Is there a favorite tv show you like to watch? Write about your favorite character and why they are your favorite.

#64. Write a poem using onomatopoeia , where the words you use are pronounced similar to the sound they make. For example, buzz, bark, sizzle, slam and pop.

#65. Have you ever had to stand in line to wait a long time for something? What did you do while you waited? How did you feel while waiting? How did you feel once the wait was over?

#66. Is it a good idea to keep ALL secrets a secret? Write about examples of when it is okay to spill a secret – and when it isn’t.

#67. Is there something you are good at doing? Write about your best strengths.

#68. What historical time period and location would you go back to live in if you could? Write about it!

#69. Write about 5 things you can do that are important for you to stay healthy and safe.

#70. Do you think thunderstorms are scary? Why or why not?

#71. What would you most like to learn over the next year? Think about things that interest you or questions you might have about the world and make a list!

#72. You are going on a trip to a jungle safari! What items do you pack in your suitcase?

creative writing about a lost child

#73. Imagine you are sitting at home one day and you hear someone shrieking in the living room they see a mouse in the house! Write a story about what might happen next.

#74. You are writing a letter to someone who is having a hard time making new friends at school. What do you write? What advice do you give them?

#75. Imagine you just met a magician – but their beloved rabbit who they pull out of a hat for all the tricks has been kidnapped! How do you help find the rabbit?

#76. Do you hear what I hear? Set a timer for 5 minutes and write about all of the sounds you hear in those 5 minutes.

#77. Imagine you go to get a haircut and they accidentally shave your head! How do you feel about that and what would you do?

#78. Do you find it easy to talk to people you don’t know? What are some ways you can start up a conversation with someone you have never met before?

#79. Are there any chores you have to do at home? What are they? What do you like – and not like – about each one?

#80. Open up a random book to any page. Write for 5 minutes about the first word you read.

#81. Pretend you are a writer for your city’s newspaper. Who would you like to interview for a news story and why?

#82. There are many fictional characters who live in unusual houses, such as the old woman who lived in a shoe. What kind of unusual house would you like to live in? Write about what it would be like to live in an unusual house!

#83. Write a list of 10 things you can do to practice kindness to others.

#84. Is there a homework subject you dread? Why do you not like getting homework in that subject?

#85. What is your favorite month of the year? Write about why you like it and some of your favorite things to do during that month.

#86. Imagine you are planning a surprise birthday party for someone. How do you keep it a surprise?

#87. Pretend you walked outside to find a sleeping dragon in the grass! Why is the dragon there? Is it a friendly dragon? What do you do? Write about it!

#88. What are you grateful for today and why?

#89. You were on your way to a very important event when you fell into a puddle. Now what?

#90. Have you ever watched a movie and didn’t like how it ended? Write what you think should happen instead.

#91. Can you answer this riddle from Alice in Wonderland ? How is a raven like a writing desk?

#92. Imagine you are the captain of a pirate ship. Write a diary entry for what your day was like.

#93. If you could start any type of business, what kind of business would you start? What types of products or services would you provide?

#94. Write a sequel to one of your favorite fairy tales. For example, what was Goldilocks’s next adventure after she left the bears?

#95. What is something you are afraid of? What helps you to feel less afraid of something? What would you say to a friend who feels scared to help them feel less afraid?

#96. Write a letter to your future self in 20 years.

kids writing prompts and ideas

#97. In addition to basic survival needs such as food, water, air and shelter, what are 3 things you would you need to be happy?

#98. If you could invent a robot of any type who could do anything you imagine, what types of things would you would have the robot to do?

#99. Which do like better? Apples or Oranges? How are they alike? How are they different?

#100. Why did the chicken cross the road? You are a detective and are assigned to the case. How do solve the mystery?

#101. Write instructions for how to make your favorite snack. Be sure you add your favorite tips and suggestions for how to select the best ingredients!

#102. Imagine you borrowed a friend’s favorite lucky pencil to help you pass a math test – but then it snapped in half! How will you ever tell the news to your friend?

#103. Look around the current room you are sitting in and choose 3 random objects that are nearby. Now write a story or poem that includes those three items!

#104. Write a letter to the author of a book you recently read and tell them what you liked most about the book.

#105. Ernest Hemingway is famous for writing a six word story. Can you write a story in just 6 words?

#106. What do you think will be the future for cell phones? Will people still use them in 25 years or will something else take its place?

#107. Do you want to go to college? Why or why not?

#108. Write a story or poem about a kitten who wanders off and gets lost. How does the kitten find its way home?

#109. Currently, it is required by law that kids go to school. Do you think this is a good or bad idea?

#110. If you could invent a new board game, what would it be called? How is it played? What are the rules? What makes it fun to play? Write about it!

#111. Imagine you come home to discover your entire bedroom is covered in ketchup! What on earth happened? What is your reaction? How do you clean everything up?

#112. What is something you learned today?

#113. Would you rather have a goldfish or shark as a pet?

#114. From A-Z: make a list of something for every letter of the alphabet.

#115. Have you ever gone fishing? If you have, did you like it? Why or why not? If you haven’t, do you think you might want to?

#116. What is one of the most important things you do each and every day?

#117. Write a story about Gretchen the Grouch, a girl who is always angry! Will she ever be happy? Why is she so grumpy all of the time?

#118. How do you feel when someone takes something of yours without asking? What is a good way to deal with it when that happens?

#119. Write a poem that starts with the word “if”.

#120. Write a story about a family of rabbits who live in the woods. What are some of the challenges they face?

#121. What clothes do you think are the most comfortable? What kind of clothes do you like to wear the most? What clothes do you NOT like to wear?

#122. Imagine there are no grocery stores and you must get your own food. What are some of the ways you find food? What types of things do you eat?

#123. What are 3 things you can do that are good for the environment?

#124. If you could meet any famous person today, who would you want to meet and why? What questions might you ask them?

#125. A tongue twister is a quick poem where many of the words start with the same letter and are similar in sound. For example, “Peter picked a peck of pickled peppers.” Try writing your own with this fun kids writing prompt!

#126. What is the first thing you think of when you hear or see the word green?

#127. A hero is someone who is admired for their courage and achievements. What do you think makes someone a hero? Who are some of your heroes?

#128. What did you do during summer vacation last year? What do you want to do for summer vacation this year?

#129. Write a story about a super hero dog who saves the day! Who does the dog help and why?

kids journal prompts

#130. Would you rather live somewhere that is always cold, or somewhere that is always hot? Write about which one you would rather choose.

#131. Have you ever volunteered to help a charity? If so, write about the experience! If not, what are some charities you think you might like to volunteer for?

#132. What does the word courage mean to you?

#133. What makes you unique? What are some things about you that make you an individual?

#134. Have you ever been to a museum? What is your favorite thing to look at on display?

#135. What can you do to set a good example for others to be kind?

#136. A Tall Tale is a story that exaggerates something that actually happened. Write a tall tale about something that recently happened to you.

#137. What is one of your favorite toys that you think you might still want to have and play with when you are 22 years old?

#138. Oh no! Everyone around you is sick with a nasty cold! Write a silly poem about how you try to avoid catching their germs!

#139. Personification is when a non-living object takes on human characteristics. Write a story where you personify a common electronic gadget in your house, such as the Television or toaster.

#140. Write a poem using similes, which is when you say an object is like something else. Here is an example of a simile: “Her eyes were as blue as the sky.”

#141. Have you ever read a book written by Dr. Suess? Write your own “Suess-style” story, complete with rhymes and made up words.

#142. Do you have any siblings? Think about what it might mean to be a good brother or sister and write about it!

#143. Make a list of questions to interview your parents or grandparents about what it was like when they were growing up as a kid. Then, ask them the questions and write about their answers!

#144. You are in charge of writing a new radio show just for kids! What topics will you talk about? What music do you play?

#145. What do you usually eat for breakfast every day? What, in your opinion, is the greatest breakfast food ever created? What makes it so great?

#146. Write a 12 line poem where every line is about a different month of the year.

#147. What is something you look forward to doing the most when you are an adult?

Use these prompts in your classroom!  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#148. Do you like to try new things? What is something new you have tried recently or would like to try?

#149. Imagine what it might be like to be alive in Egypt when the pyramids were built. Write about what it was like.

#150. A credo is a statement of personal beliefs. Try writing your own credo for things that you believe in and feel are important.

#151. The circus has come to town but they have no place to perform! How do you help the ringmaster find a place to put on a show?

circus lion

#152. Do you like to act? What are some of your favorite actors or actresses? What do you think makes someone a good actor or actress?

#153. “Practice makes perfect” is a popular saying. What is something you like to practice so you can become better at it? A sport? A musical instrument? A special skill? Do you like to practice?

#154. Write about what it might be like to be water drops freezing and turning into ice.

#155. Do you think it is important to keep your room clean? What do you like about having a clean room?

#156. Imagine your parents are sending you away for a two week summer camp trip. Would you be excited? Why or why not?

#157. What are you currently learning about in history class? Write a fictional story about someone from the past you are learning about.

#158. Many wars have been fought in the past. Instead of going to war, what do you think countries could do to resolve their differences peacefully?

#159. Every year over 8 billion plastic bottles and cans are thrown away. What are some things you can do to help encourage your family and friends to recycle?

#160. Imagine if you were the principal of the school. What might you do differently? What things would you do that are the same? Write about it!

#161. Pretend that one day you are at your neighbor’s house and you notice a strange noise coming from the basement. You go downstairs to investigate to see a large machine running with many lights and buttons. Why is it there?

#162. Write an essay that starts with the line, “Tomorrow, I hope…”

#163. If you could give one thing to every child in the world, what would you want to give them?

#164. Do you have a piggy bank at home? How do you earn money to add to your savings?

writing ideas for kids

#165. What qualities make a house a home? What are 3 things you think every house should have?

#166. Would you rather go scuba diving or rock climbing? Write about which one you think you would like to do more and why.

#167. Do you think it is a good idea for kids to write a daily journal? What are some of the benefits of writing every day?

#168. Do you like watching fireworks or are they too noisy? Write about a time when you saw fireworks in the sky.

#169. Oh no! Your friend has turned into a statue! How did this happen? What do you do? Does your friend ever turn back into a person again?

#170. If you could be any movie character, who would you be and why?

#171. A mysterious message appears in code on your computer screen. What could it mean?

#172. If you could go to work with one of your parents for a day, what do you think the day would be like? What types of things do your parents do at work all day long?

#173. Imagine you are the President and you are creating a new national holiday. What is your holiday about? How is it celebrated? What day of the year do you celebrate? Write about it!

#174. You won a never-ending lifetime supply of spaghetti noodles! What will you do with all of these noodles?

#175. Would you rather be a bunny rabbit or a hawk? Why did you choose the one you chose?

#176. Your teacher has been acting mysterious lately. After school one day, you notice a weird green light shining through underneath the door of your classroom. What do you do? What is happening with your teacher?

#177. Write an article about tips for how kids can be more organized and study well for tests.

#178. Look at any product in your house and read the ingredients labels. Research what each ingredient is. Do you think these ingredients are good or bad for people?

#179. If you were a doctor, what do you think would be the most important part of your job every day?

#180. The school librarian needs your help! A truck just arrived with 2,000 books and she can’t fit all the books onto the shelves! What do you do? How do you find a place to put all these books?

#181. Do you think it would be fun to plant a garden? What types of plants would you want to grow? Write about your garden ideas.

#182. What is a sport or activity you would like to try playing for the first time?

#183. Do you think kids should be allowed to do the same things as adults? What things do you think kids should be able to do that only grown-ups can?

#184. Imagine you and your parents switch places for a day. Your parents are the kids and you are now in charge! What would you do?

#185. Write a get-well letter to someone who has been sick. What can you say to make them feel better?

#186. If you could visit any planet in the solar system, which planet would you like to visit the most and why? Write about what it might be like.

#187. Have you ever been to a farm? What did you like about it? If you haven’t been to a farm, do you think you might like to visit one? Why or why not?

#188. The mayor of the city has a big problem and needs your help! What is the problem and how will you solve it?

#189. Pretend your little sister ate carrots for dinner and the next morning woke up with rabbit ears!  How did this happen? What do you do? Will she be a rabbit forever?

#190. Imagine you wake up in the morning to find out you get to relive any day of your life again for the whole day. What day would you want to experience again and why?

#191. Do you think you might like to be a firefighter? Why or why not?

fire fighter writing prompt

#192. You are a lawyer and your client has been accused of stealing a car. How do you convince the jury your client is innocent?

#193. Think of the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water. Which of these four elements do you like the best?

#194. What would you do if you could be invisible for a whole day? Do you think you would enjoy it or be glad to be back to normal the next day? Write about it!

#195. Imagine you are a meteorologist and people are starting to get angry that your weather predictions are always wrong. What do you do?

#196. If you could create any law, what would it be? Why do you think the law is an important one to have?

#197. You are going incognito and need to hide to your identity so you aren’t recognized or discovered while you walk through the city. What type of disguise do you wear?

#198. Write a persuasive letter to your parents explaining why you should get a new pet. Make sure you provide a convincing argument they won’t be able to refuse!

#199. Your friend wants to do something dangerous. What should you do?

#200. How do you think the world would be different if there were no oceans?

#201. What do you do when someone disagrees with your opinions? Is there a better way to handle conflicting opinions?

#202. What do you think you as a kid could do to help encourage more people to read?

#203. Do you have a good luck charm? What makes this item lucky? When do you use it? How do you use it?

#204. What is at the end of a rainbow? Imagine you follow a rainbow to the end. What do you discover? Is it a pot of gold, or something else?

Use these prompts in your classroom!  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to inspire your students to write! Thank you for your support!

#205. What do you think the consequences should be for someone who is caught cheating on a test at school?

#206. Imagine you are riding your bike one day when you encounter an older kid who wants to steal your bike. What do you do?

#207. You are the lead singer and star of a famous rock and roll band, but there is one problem – your drummer is jealous of your fame! How do you solve this situation?

#208. If you could help a group of kids in any part of the world, what kids would you want to help the most and why? What are some things you think would help these kids?

#209. Everyone knows the house on the end of the street is haunted. What are some of the strange things that happen there? Why is the house haunted?

#210. You notice at school one day there is a door to a secret passage next to the janitor’s closet and decide to explore. Where does it lead? Why is it there? Do you go alone or bring a friend along?

#211. A bucket list is a list of things you want to accomplish in your lifetime. What are 5 things on your bucket list?

#212. Imagine the perfect treehouse or clubhouse for you and all of your friends as a place to hang out. Describe what it is like inside.

#213. Do you get bored easily? Make a list of things you can do whenever you feel like you are bored and there is nothing fun to do!

#214. Now vs. Then: Think about how today is different from one year ago. How have you changed? What things in your life are different?

#215. Write your autobiography about your life.

#216. It’s a heat wave! What do you do when the weather is hot? What are some of your favorite ways to stay cool?

#217. What are three important safety tips every kid should know to stay safe?

#218. What genre of books do you like to read the most? Write about the characteristics of the genre and list some of your favorite books as examples.

#219. Holiday Traditions: How does your family celebrate the different holidays and events? What are some traditions you do each and every year?

#220. Imagine one day in science class a science experiment goes terribly wrong and now you and all of your classmates have superpowers! What are your superpowers and what do you do with them?

superheroes writing prompts for kids

#221. Who is favorite teacher? Why are they your favorite?

#222. You are baking a cake, but you accidentally put salt in the cake instead of sugar. Nobody will eat it! How do you feel? What will you do next time?

#223. Do you think it is important to have good table manners? What do you think some good manners to practice might be?

#224. Many schools no longer teach cursive handwriting. Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Do you know how to write cursive handwriting? Would you like to learn if you haven’t?

#225. If you were the owner of a theme park, what types of rides and attractions would have? Describe what they would be like and why people would want to visit your park.

#226. Your parents give you $100 to spend at the grocery store. What do you buy and why?

#227. Some people who are alive today grew up without computers or video games. What would you do if you didn’t have a computer or video games? How would life be different?

#228. You walk into your living room and discover there is a giant elephant standing there. How did the elephant get there? What do you do about it? How do you explain the elephant in the living room to your parents?

#229. Have you ever had a weird dream? What happened in the dream? What do you think it means?

#230. Do you like to draw or paint? Write a story inspired by a painting, doodle, or sketch.

#231. You are being sent on a mission to outer space to live in a space station for 5 years. What supplies do you pack and why?

#232. What is the scariest creature alive on earth? Describe in detail what makes it so horrifying.

#233. What do you think your pet might say if they could talk to you?

#234. Imagine your school is putting on a talent show. What act will you perform? What other acts will be in the show?

#235. If you could breathe under water, what would you do?

#236. What time of day do you think school should start? Write a convincing argument on why or why not the time of day school starts should change.

#237. If you were to start your own YouTube video channel, what would the videos on your channel be about?

#238. Do you like to cook? What are some things you like to make and eat?

#239. Your school is having a field day and you are in charge of planning the activities and games. What types of activities and games would you plan for the event?

#240. If you had a remote control drone that takes video of everything it sees from the sky and you could take it anywhere, what would you film? For example, the inside of a volcano or soar it over the plains of Africa.

#241. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the ocean where many ships and planes have gone missing. Why do you think this could be? Write a story about what it might be like to travel there.

#242. There are 7 great wonders of the world – which one do you think is the most wonderful?

#243. If you could speak any foreign language fluently, which one would you like to speak and why?

#244. You are inventing a new flavor of ice cream! What is the new flavor called and what ingredients do you need to make it?

#245. Would you rather go to a baseball game or read a good book? What reasons do you have for your choice?

#246. You walk outside to get your mail and your mailbox starts talking to you! What does your mailbox have to say?

#247. Imagine you are a famous person. What are you most famous for? What is it like to be famous?

#248. What do you think would be the most fun job in the world to have? Give examples of why you think it would be a fun job to have.

#249. Write a poem about an object that is shiny and dazzling.

#250. Do you like to watch the Olympics? Why or why not? If yes, what is your favorite Olympic sport?

#251. What kind of car do you want to drive when you are older? Do you think learning to drive will be easy or hard?

#252. What do you think would make for a great gift to give someone on their birthday?

#253. Describe a time when you needed help and someone helped you. What did they help you with and how did it make you feel?

#254. If you could be any type of fruit or vegetable, what would you be and why?

Love these prompts?  Get the  ad-free printable version of these prompts  to use at home or in the classroom!

#255. Do you think it is more important to have a good imagination or have all the facts proven?

#256. Do you have a favorite aunt, uncle, or another relative? Write a story about their life and why you like to be with them.

#257. Think of a time you laughed really, really hard. What was so funny? Why were you laughing? Write about it!

#258. Write a poem about an emotion. For example: happy, sad, angry, embarrassed, guilty.

#259. Do you ever have a hard time falling asleep? What are some things that help you feel sleepy?

#260. If you could drive a car, where would you drive and why?

#261. Imagine you are trading places with your friend for a day. What will it be like to be at their house? What will your friend think while they are at your house? Write about it!

#262. If you could break a world record, what would it be? What do you think would be necessary to be able to break the world record?

#263. Imagine you live in Colonial times. What would it be like to grow up as a kid in Colonial America?

#264. You are building a new city. What is the name of your city? What is the weather like? What buildings will you build?

#265. What do you think it would be like to work as a sailor on big ship in the ocean each day?

ocean writing prompt

#266. Imagine you are the teacher for the day. What types of activities do you make the students in the class do?

#267. How would you feel if your parents told you that you would be getting a new baby brother or sister? Write about it!

#268. Do you know any good jokes? What are some of your favorite jokes? What makes them funny? Do you think you could write your own?

#269. Imagine you are floating down a river on a raft. What types of things can you see from the river that you normally wouldn’t see from the land?

#270. You want to start a new hobby collecting something. What kinds of things would you collect and why?

#271. Your mom announces she is having a yard sale. Would you let her sell any of your things? Why or why not?

#272. Imagine you walk out your front door one morning and it is raining popcorn! What do you do?

#273.  You are camping in the woods one night and hear a scary noise. What do you do? What might be the cause?

#274. What do you think might make kids really happy to go to school? What are some things you think schools should do so that it could be more fun?

#275. Today’s lunch at the cafeteria was unusually horrible. You are a detective on the case to investigate. What do you think is the cause?

#276. If you had a tree that grows money, what would you do?

#277. What would you do if you had a unicorn as a pet?

#278. Would you rather go to the zoo or go to the aviary? Which one would you pick and why?

#279. What are some safety tips you should follow when riding a bike?

#280. You are designing the cover of a magazine. What are some of the headlines on the cover?

#281. Are you afraid of the dark? Why or why not?

#282. If you could learn to play any type of musical instrument, which one would you like to learn how to play and why?

#283. Imagine you are playing a sport that involves a ball, such as soccer, baseball or kickball. What would it be like if the ball could talk?

#284. You come home to discover a friendly alien has been living in your closet. What do you do? Why is there an alien in your closet?

#285. Is there something you are afraid of that you wish you weren’t afraid of? Write about it.

#286. Write about the best party you’ve ever been to. What made the day fun and special?

#287. What makes you feel loved and cared about? What are some ways people can show you that they love and care about you?

#288. There is a kite flying competition coming up and you are going to design your own kite. What will your kite look like? What colors will it be? Will it have any certain shape?

#289. You are given the challenge to drop an egg on the floor – without it breaking! What are some things you might try to make sure the egg won’t break?

#290. What are some of the things you can do every day to stay healthy?

#291. Do you think grown-ups are boring? Why do you think they are so boring all of the time? What is something fun that boring grown-ups could do instead of being so boring?

#292. Write a lyrical poem or song about what kids do while they are at school all day long.

#293. What are the first things you like to do when you are done with school each day? What are some of the activities you like when you are not at school?

#294. Imagine dinosaurs were still alive today. How do you think our lives would be different?

#295. Would you rather visit a volcano or a desert? Which one would you choose and why?

#296. Is there a sound you think is annoying? What types of sounds drive you crazy? Write about them!

#297. What do you think it would be like to be the size of an ant for a day? What types of things would you do?

Writing Prompt: What would it be like if your teddy bear came to life?

#298. Imagine one of your stuffed animals comes to life and starts talking to you. What types of things will you talk about? What will you do?

#299. What makes you feel happiest? Write about the things in life that make you feel happy!

#300. Imagine there is no gravity. What kind of things would you do you for fun? How would some of the things you already do for fun be different?

Buy the Printable Cards!  We will always have this list of 300 kids writing prompts available for free, but I’m very excited to now also offer an  ad-free printable version of these prompts  in my online Etsy shop. Thank you for your support!

Parents and teachers, I hope you enjoyed these 300 writing prompts for kids and that you will use them to inspire your children’s creative imaginations.

These prompts of course can be used in a number of different ways and can be adapted for a variety of different styles of writing !

What do you think? Do you think these are good conversation and story starters for kids? Do you have any ideas for writing prompts you would like to share?

And of course, if you’d like to make it super fun and easy to use these prompts at home or in your classroom, be sure to get our ad-free printable version of these kids writing prompt cards now available in my Etsy shop.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on different creative writing ideas and topics for kids to write about! Share your thoughts in the comments below!

' src=

Chelle Stein wrote her first embarrassingly bad novel at the age of 14 and hasn't stopped writing since. As the founder of ThinkWritten, she enjoys encouraging writers and creatives of all types.

Similar Posts

108 Romance Writing Prompts & Love Story Ideas

108 Romance Writing Prompts & Love Story Ideas

101 Poetry Prompts & Ideas for Writing Poems

101 Poetry Prompts & Ideas for Writing Poems

365 Creative Writing Prompts

365 Creative Writing Prompts

42 Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas

42 Fantasy Writing Prompts & Plot Ideas

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Writers

7 Creative Writing Exercises For Writers

48 comments.

These are awesome! I feel like answering the questions myself! Thanks a million!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

Lovely and amazing help

I wrote all 300! but my fingers hurt badly now. :l But i got to admit these are exellent questions!

Hi. Thanks for this list. So many great ideas. I will definitely use some of them for my Language Arts class.

hi people THIS WAS SO LONG but so worth it for my class thx mate

This was great for homework

Thank you for the topics. It was really helpful

Your writing prompts are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I will definitely be using it with my kids.

Thank you! I hope they enjoy the writing prompts!

I love these, they are awesome and very helpful too. Thank you very much.

these questions hooked me on easily thanks your the best!

They are all good prompts

This is always good and improves the brain.

These are very useful and very enjoyable topics, i enjoy by giving these to my students , their creations are marvelous

It’s was very long but worth it

This is good. I love it. It helps me in my studies. I share it with my friends children that likes the writing. We love it. Please, think of another writing.

Thanks! Worth printing and providing for my middle school students as a first week of the year activity. Must have taken you ages to come up with all 300 of these!

I’m glad to hear you can use them for your students! It did take some time, but it’s well worth it knowing it might inspire kids to write! 🙂

You need a printable version of this!!

Hi Katelyn, we have one! https://gumroad.com/UBnsO Hope you enjoy!

The link doesn’t seem to be working for me… Could you send me a copy of the list, please?

Hi Tori, the printable version of this post is available as an ad-free paid upgrade – you can purchase it through my Gumroad store: https://gum.co/UBnsO

I quite liked your ideas, I’ll try a few, surely!

How long did it take for you guys to make 300 ideas?

Definitely took some time Vilenti, but it was definitely worth writing all of them! Our prompts reach over a million people a year and are used in literacy, poverty, and mental health programs worldwide. 🙂

These were awesome, thanks a TON

i have school work and this is one thing i do.

i do this for school work to

i do this for school work

Hello Chelle, thanks a lot for this. During these tough Covid times, I find your list to be a great idea to engage kids. Have got them started on some today. Hopefully this will be a long term engagement for them.

The prompts are grrrreat

This was really helpful i have looked for a lot of these, that have a lot of topics and only found one other good one and finished it all, i got to 17 and was like are they all this good! And they all are so thanks!

Glad you enjoyed them!

These are awesome

These are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing.

I loved looking at these prompts!! They were very helpful. I am loving writing and supporting my claims with these prompts. You should post more ideas!! Thanks for sharing the prompts.

Do you have any more?

This really was think written

I’d like to use a few of your questions in a journal for adults that I am creating for sale. I will absolutely credit you at the beginning of the book. Is that okay with you or not? I don’t want to infringe on any copyright laws. I think I used about ten of them.

Hi Kristen, you cannot use these prompts for products for sale, that would definitely be an infringement on copyright. These prompts can only be used for non-commercial use.

this is the greatest app ever

I like all the questions

thank you for all the ideas they are so good

OMG These are all very good and many questions i like all these Thankyou soooooooooooo much for these

I’m in class doing this and it is so fun yes every body is doing this

I LOVE these! My daughter and I stumbled across a post full of fun writing prompts on another website but they were more geared for adults. This list is HUGE and perfect for us to tackle together. Thank you! ❤️

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Narrative Essay Example About How I Was Lost in the Forest

Introduction.

Last year, during the summer break, my friends and I decided to go for a walk in the forest. It was in this walk that I wanted to try game hunting. The forest was overgrown with thick growth and tall trees. Being an adventurous person made me yearn for the occasion not knowing what was going to happen to me. The forest had paths, and we decided that we would trek along the paths and converge at a central point to have a drink later. We parked our gears and left for the forest. We were dropped at the forest path and divided ourselves into groups of three. We had planned on meeting with the rest of the group after three hours. I had a partially charged phone, and a bottle of water. We continued on our way towards the deeper part of the forest until we were far from any recognizable trail. After two hours, we were in the deepest part of the forest, and we could not trace our other friends. As we went another mile, I never thought we were lost.

All of a sudden, a warthog came rushing along our path, and we all run in different directions. After running for about five minutes, I stood alone in a bush. I had no clue about my surroundings as I had never been there before. I shouted at my friends’ names loudly, but all was in vain: there was no reply, and the whole place was silent. I was confused and felt like crying as I realized I was alone with nothing to protect myself. With a lot of fear, I tried to trace the part where I had come from, but all was useless: I was lost.

Read About the Reasons Why You Should Let Us Write a Narrative Essay for You

As I walked along the path trying to locate my friends, I realized that I was tired, and nothing was looking familiar. I was out of food, water, and barely had any battery in my phone. I stopped and sat on a log trying to figure out the direction I had come from. Looking at my watch I realized that the time had elapsed. I was perplexed and confused about the next step to take. I decided to walk through the bushes as the trees had grown so close together. I squeezed myself between the little trees while stumbling over rock piles. After some thirty minutes, it started raining heavily. Though I had heavy clothing, I was rained on until I was soaked up. I started freezing and praying to the almighty for protection and direction out of the forest.

Client's Review

" I ordered a cheap essay on this website. Guys, I was so surprised the essay was written better than I thought it'd be. "

Sara J. reviewed EliteWritings on August 15, 2018, via SiteJabber Click to see the original review on an external website.

Being lost in the forest seemed like a tragedy to me, but it made me think outside the box by recalling various ways of making a signal to my colleagues. I decided to build a signal fire back up by collecting leaves and lighting them up for my friends to see the fire. Although it had been rained on, I was successful to light it. I was afraid of spending the night alone in the forest, and this made me think of ways of getting out of this place. I wondered what would have gone wrong as I had never had such kind of experience.

While sitting down and warming myself around the fire, I heard some distant noise. As the sounds got closer, I realized that those were my friends. I jumped with a lot of joy as tears filled my eyes because I knew I was safe. They shouted my name, and I replied very loudly knowing in my mind that I was saved.

While this had been a challenging experience, it is one that I will never forget. Regardless of the experience it was trickery, it showed me the importance of the use of the compass and markings while adventuring in the forest. I also realized that when you are not sure where you are going, it is hard to appreciate or enjoy where you are.

Argumentative

Book report, environment, evidence-based practice, informative, please notice.

Some text in the modal.

  • Condolences & What To Say

70+ Thoughtful Sympathy Messages for the Loss of a Child

Updated 12/26/2023

Published 10/25/2019

Sam Tetrault, BA in English

Sam Tetrault, BA in English

Contributing writer

Use these sympathy messages for the loss of a child to comfort someone who lost an infant, toddler, young child, or adult daughter or son.

Cake values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure .

One of the most tragic events we could experience is losing a child—an absolute heartbreak. Whether lost during pregnancy or later in life, no words take away the pain of this devastating loss. If you know a parent currently experiencing the loss of a child, the right sympathy message can remind them they’re not alone. So, here’s what to say to someone who lost a child.

In this article:

What to Say to Someone Who Lost a Child

  • What Not to Say to Someone Who Lost a Child

Sympathy Messages for the Loss of a Young Son

Sympathy messages for the loss of a young daughter, sympathy messages for the loss of an adult child, sympathy messages for the loss of an infant or toddler, what to say to someone who lost a child suddenly, what to say to someone who lost a child to drugs, sympathy messages for the loss of a stepchild, sympathy messages for the loss of a daughter or son-in-law, where to share sympathy messages for the loss of a child.

This type of grief is long-lasting and will not likely fade over time. The more support you can offer, the better. It’s not always easy to find the right words during a traumatic time. While you must understand that your comments can’t take away this pain, they can still show kindness, compassion, and sympathy.

Words carry a lot of meaning and power. Simply knowing friends and family are thinking of them as they navigate these next steps can be a source of comfort. Easily paired with sympathy gifts , these sympathy message examples are appropriate after losing a child.

Tip: If a friend or loved one lost a child, consider sharing Cake's online memorial tool where they can write a beautiful tribute to their child, collect memories and messages of sympathy, and raise funds to help offset funeral or medical expenses.

We understand why you would search online for what to say to someone who lost a child. Though offering condolences to someone in need can be uncomfortable, this is one of the many lifesavers given to parents during the darkest times of their lives. 

Here are some ideas on what to say to someone who recently suffered a loss. 

  • There’s nothing I can say to take away the pain of this loss. I just wanted to share that I love you, and I’m here for you. 
  • Your baby [girl/boy] was such a source of bright light and joy. I will miss them every day. 
  • Sending all of my love to you! 
  • [He/she] was a beautiful child with a beautiful soul. I’m so sorry. 
  • We’re shocked and saddened by the news of [Name]. We care for you so much. 
  • The news of [Name] ’s loss was heartbreaking. Please know I’m thinking of you. 
  • The time I spent with [Name] was such a gift. The world is better because [he/she] was in it. 
  • There are never enough words to express the pain we share with you. The memorial to [Name] was such a beautiful tribute to [his/her] joyful life. 
  • [Name] was a beautiful, remarkable child. [He/she] will be missed by all. Know that we’re thinking of you.
  • Though cut too short, your amazing [Name] filled our lives with so much love. 

In times of profound loss, expressing empathy through a thoughtful gesture can provide comfort beyond words. Consider gifting a personalized care package , a tender testament to your unwavering support. Laurelbox  specializes in boxes curated for loss, each filled with soothing essentials.  

Pair your gift with a cherished memento or a handwritten note with one of these heartfelt messages below. In this moment of unimaginable sorrow, the gentle embrace of a carefully curated care package can offer a small respite, reminding your grieving loved one they aren’t alone. 

What Not to Say After the Loss of a Child

Firstly, it’s important to share what you shouldn’t say after losing a child. These phrases might come from a place of kindness, but they often sound insensitive or offensive. Avoid any language that blames the parents or implies this was supposed to happen as a part of a greater plan. These aren’t the right fit after any type of loss, especially a young life. 

For example, never share any messages that include these phrases:

  • This happened for a reason.
  • You still have other children. 
  • Your child’s suffering is over. 
  • It was just their time to go. 
  • You can always have more kids in the future. 

As you can see from these statements above, the focus isn’t on compassion. You should always honor the legacy of the child, no matter how young. 

If you’re unsure what to say, use these ideas below as inspiration for sympathy messages.

Image with two women hugging looking sad

Do you know someone who lost their son? This is a heartbreaking loss, and giving comfort won’t come easily. There’s nothing you can do to take away this pain. Still, you can be there for them during a dark time. Show your sincere sympathy with one of these messages below.

1. Your son’s legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. I’m so sorry for your loss. 

2. Sending you my deepest condolences upon the death of your son, [Name]. He was a kind, caring soul, and he will be missed. 

3.  I am always here for you, especially after your loss. Your son was a brilliant light in this world.

4. Little boys leave permanent footprints in our hearts. We will celebrate [Name]’s legacy every day. 

5. I’ll always remember your little boy’s touching smile and laughter. He was such a happy child, and these memories will stay with us always. I’m sorry for your loss. 

6. Though I can’t possibly understand what you’re going through, I wanted to let you know I’m always here for you. I’d love to hear more about your little boy when you’re ready to share. 

7. Your son brought endless joy into this world. I’ll always remember when he…

8. Please know I’m thinking of you and your little boy today and every day. He will forever be in my heart. 

9. I wanted to let you know that I’m always here for you. The bond between you and your son was so strong, and this will never fade.

10. It’s okay if you’re not okay. We’re here for you as we grieve the loss of your beautiful son.

Similarly, losing a young child is like losing a part of yourself. This profound bond might be changed, but it’s never broken. Honor a young daughter’s life and legacy with one of these meaningful sympathy messages below. Perfect for a young girl, make sure each message comes from the heart.

11. There are no words to explain the sorrow and pain you’re feeling. Your daughter will be so missed. 

12. I know words seem meaningless after the loss of [Name]. Still, I wanted you to know that you always have my support and love. 

13. Your daughter was a beautiful angel. The world was a better place because she was in it. 

14. Though young, your daughter lived each day with happiness, grace, and bravery. She will always be with us. 

15. I can imagine no deeper pain than what you’re feeling right now. We are so sorry for the loss of your precious [Name].

16. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your baby girl. Nothing I say can make this easier, but please know that she was loved by all. 

17. We will cherish the memories we had with your angel. Together, we will get through this grief. 

18. Your little girl held a special place in our hearts. Stay strong and know we’re with you.

19. We are all deeply saddened by your loss. Please know that your child was loved before she was even born, and that love will never fade.

20. My heart feels so heavy. Words can’t express my sadness, but I’m always here for you.

Losing an adult child is just as difficult as a child, though it can also bring complicated feelings of grief and anger. Sharing empathy and kindness during this difficult time can positively impact someone’s life. Leave your mark on a loved one with one of these sympathy messages for the loss of an adult child. 

21. I’m so sorry. My heart aches for you and your entire family. Your [Name] was a beautiful soul inside and out.

22. I just wanted to let you know that your [son/daughter] was an amazing person. Their positivity and warmth touched us all. 

23. Though I can’t imagine a world without [Name] in it, I know we are all better because we were blessed with [him/her] in our lives. 

24. I’m so sorry for your loss. I will miss [Name] terribly every day. 

25. I know words mean so little after a loss like this. Your [son/daughter]’s generous, compassionate soul created so many meaningful memories. 

26. Like everyone who knew [Name], I feel this loss so deeply. Please take comfort in knowing [he/she] was admired by all. 

27. I’m so sorry for your loss. We were all so blessed to have called [Name] a friend.

28. Every bit of my heart goes out to you and your family during this time. Please accept my sympathy. 

29. Love and hugs to you during this time. Your [son/daughter] will never be forgotten. 

30. It was an honor to know [Name]. Their memory will never fade. 

Image with two women hugging and crying

Though losing an infant during pregnancy, childbirth, or soon after is difficult to talk about, it’s more common than you might realize. In these situations, parents want to feel acknowledged and understood. They want people to keep the legacy of their children alive, even if it’s difficult. 

31. I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know this was not your fault. 

32. Wishing you endless healing and compassion during this difficult time. 

33. My heart goes out to you and your partner as you grieve your baby. Though their life was short, it shined so brightly. 

34. Baby [Name] was so loved. I can’t imagine the pain you’re feeling. 

35. Please be gentle with yourself during this time. Please let me know how I can help. 

36. I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your baby-to-be. They were already so loved.

37. Please know you’re not alone right now. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.

38. I am so sorry you had to go through heartbreak like this. I’m sharing in your sorrow.

39. Even though [Name] was only with us for a short while, she brought so much joy to the world. 

40. It feels so wrong to have to say goodbye to baby [Name] so soon. Please let me know how I can support you. 

41. I wish your baby [Name] could have stayed with you and all of us for so much longer. 

42. There’s nothing I can say to take away the pain of this loss. I just wanted to share that I love you and I’m here for you. 

43. Your baby [girl/boy] was such a source of bright light and joy. I will miss them every day. 

44. Sending all of my love to you upon hearing the news about your beloved [Name].

45. [He/she] was a beautiful child with a beautiful soul. I’m so sorry. 

46. We’re shocked and saddened by the news of [Name]. We care for you so much. 

47. The news of [Name]’s loss was heartbreaking. Please know I’m thinking of you. 

48. The time I spent with [Name] was such a gift. The world is a better place because [he/she] was in it. 

49. There are never enough words to express the pain we share with you. The memorial to [Name] was such a beautiful tribute to [his/her] joyful life. 

50. [Name] was a beautiful, remarkable child. [He/she] will be missed by all. Know that we’re thinking of you.

51. Though cut too short, your amazing [Name] filled our lives with so much love. 

The grief that comes from a child can’t be quantified. So, someone doesn’t feel more grief if they suddenly lose a loved one. However, when you lose someone unexpectedly, the family also experiences shock. 

Here are some things to say to someone who lost a child unexpectedly.

52. I want to help. I can fold clothes, drop off groceries at your door, help with your kids, or sit with you for a while.

53. Do you need help with anything that worries you? I am available to help.

Sometimes, life doesn’t make any sense. I hope you can find peace.

54. I was so saddened at the news, and I can’t believe (Name) is truly gone.

55. The world lost a fantastic person way too soon.

56. It’s hard to find the words to express how sorry I am for your loss.

It’s natural to be curious about the cause of death. However, when offering sympathy, there’s often no need to mention how the death occurred. Focus on the loss and bereavement of your family member or friend.

Here are some phrases to use when talking with someone who lost a child to drugs.

57. I am so sorry. Please know that you’re not alone; we stand with you in this sadness.

58. I’m always here for you. Let me know when you’re ready to talk.

59. I’m at a loss for words.

60. [Name] was a wonderful, kind person. I am better for having known him.

61. Share a positive story about the deceased.

Image with two women hugging in tears

Next, the death of a stepchild can bring complicated feelings to the forefront. Though family dynamics vary, step-parents often become a trusted part of the family. For some, these bonds are as strong as blood. Honor the step-parent-child relationship with a touching sympathy message. 

62. I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. Though I didn’t know [Name] very well, I know how much you cherished your time together. 

63. Your stepchild, [Name], left us with so many beautiful memories. [He/she] was full of love and happiness. 

64. Good people often leave us too early. I hope your happy memories together bring your family comfort. 

65. I’m thinking of you as you navigate this difficult loss of your stepchild. 

66. I know you and [Name] were so close. It was clear [he/she] loved you dearly. 

67. The bonds of family aren’t broken in death. I know [Name] is with you now and always. 

68. Step-parents have a special place in our hearts. [His/her] memory is a beautiful one. 

69. Praying for you and your family during this time. 

70. Memories take the place of those we’ve lost, letting us keep them with us forever. 

71. It was always so inspirational to see the beautiful love you shared with your step [son/daughter]. This will always be a part of you. 

Last but not least, marriage is a way to bond families together. The loss of a daughter or son-in-law can be shocking and unexpected, often tilting the entire family off course. Honor this unique type of loss with a thoughtful condolence message. 

62. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your [son/daughter]-in-law. May you find the courage to continue during these difficult times. 

63. I can’t imagine your family’s grief at the loss of [Name]. Please accept my condolences. 

64. Thinking of you and your [son/daughter] as you grieve [Name].

65. Your [son/daughter]-in-law was a beautiful person. I’ll never forget when…

66. I know the loss of your [son/daughter]-in-law was unexpected. Though I can’t imagine what you’re going through, know that I’m always here.

67. Your [son/daughter]-in-law was an amazing soul. I’ll never forget their smile. 

68. Though I only met [Name] at your [son/daughter]’s wedding, I know how much they belonged with your family. Thinking of you.

69. I always enjoyed my time spent with [Name]. I’ll remember them always. 

70. May your family find strength in your happy memories together. 

71. I’m saddened to hear of the sudden loss of your [son/daughter]-in-law. Their spirit touched so many lives. 

Though there are many places to share sympathy messages, it's important to choose what the recipient would appreciate the most. Here are several options to choose from.

Cake's online memorial 

An online memorial is a perfect place to share a sympathy message. Online memorials enable the memorial creator to collect messages, memories, tributes, and pictures in one place. They also stay online as long as the memorial creator would like them to, leaving a place for friends and family to visit year after year.

Cake offers a free online memorial tool with space for a full-length obituary, photograph, tribute page, and fundraiser tool to help with offsetting funeral expenses.

Social media

If the death is publicly known, social media can be a good place to share a condolence message. Respond to the death announcement directly, or create a separate post to share your words of sympathy with a friend or loved one.

Text message

A text message is ideal if you're unsure of whether posting on social media is appropriate. This is also a good option if you only want the recipient and no one else to read the message.

Support Someone Through Their Grief

Ultimately, you can’t always understand how someone experiences grief. It affects everyone differently. This is why you should use the right suggested sympathy messages to ensure your words are thoughtful and hit their mark. Remember, the more personal and heartfelt, the better.

Similarly, review the best sympathy gifts for parents who lost a child for more ideas. You can  support someone through this type of loss with compassion, a listening ear, and so much more. 

Categories:

  • Loss Of Child

You may also like

creative writing about a lost child

Words of Sympathy for a Tragic Loss: 25+ Message Ideas

creative writing about a lost child

50+ Things to Say to Someone Who Lost a Baby or Miscarried

creative writing about a lost child

What to Say When Someone Loses a Husband

creative writing about a lost child

27 Better Ways to Say ‘You Have My Sympathy’

creative writing about a lost child

  • Bangladesh Flood Appeal
  • creative writing on a lost child
  • creative writing and english
  • custom molds case study
  • creative writing uwm
  • creator curriculum vitae
  • creative writing in oxford
  • publish creative writing online
  • how you do your homework
  • order of authors in a research paper
  • Zakat Calculator
  • Tube Well Bangladesh
  • School/Madrasah
  • Rohingya Emergency Appeal
  • Qur’an Project
  • Emergency Appeal
  • House/Shelter
  • Sadaqah Jari’ah

Creative writing on a lost child

Creative writing on save girl child, creative writing on the day i lost my pet, a lost child creative writing, report comment on creative writing, creative writing on how i spent my winter vacation, creative writing on productivity.

IMAGES

  1. 60 Best Quotes About Loss of A Child to Show Sympathy

    creative writing about a lost child

  2. Pin on baby loss, grief, hope, love, missing my angel

    creative writing about a lost child

  3. summary of the lost child

    creative writing about a lost child

  4. Stories for a Lost Child by Carter Meland

    creative writing about a lost child

  5. Top Tips for writing a lost child procedure

    creative writing about a lost child

  6. The Lost Child Poem Analysis

    creative writing about a lost child

VIDEO

  1. Write a story about getting LOST

  2. Writing Children's Books Ideas

  3. How To Write A Children's Book

  4. Surviving The Lost Child Family Role

  5. Frightening Experience- Narrative paragraph -Writing Lesson

  6. STRUGGLING WRITER: Why I waited || 5th Grade Homeschool Writing (Charlotte Mason)

COMMENTS

  1. Writing a Novel About the True-Life Loss of a Child

    Both 35-year-old Jill and 16-year-old Maddie fall victim to their personal circumstance, succumbing to a life neither of them plans for herself. But a brief encounter between the two of them forces the path of their lives to change course, offering light to their despair, and setting a journey where hope leads the way.

  2. Writing your Lost and Found Story

    Elements of your lost and found story: Object, person, pet, or other. It may have simply disappeared or was stolen. Wallet, military metal, vacation or wedding pictures all come to mind, but you can take a creative twist on this topic. One example is Kannaki's "My Mother's Shoes .".

  3. Short Stories About Childhood Struggles

    The second story of 1569 words titled "Education in Hatred" describes the consequences of the browbeating of a once exuberant child, subjected to brutish humiliation by a once cherished teacher. The third story of 443 words titled "Coal-Dust And Gravity" centers upon a late night conversation between a father, slowly dying as a result of black lung disease, caused by the coal dust from ...

  4. LOST-descriptive writing

    LOST-descriptive writing. I didn't know where I was. I didn't know how I got there, or how I was going to get out, all I knew was that I was lost! I looked around, it was so dark that I couldn't see my outstretched hand in front of me but I could smell the musty smell of damp wood. I assumed I was in a forest in England but something told ...

  5. 8 Steps to Writing a Loss Story with Your Child

    Gather some paper, crayons, your sense of play, focus in on your child, and use these seven steps to go from idea to "publication": 1. Prepare. Before starting, read some published stories on loss, engage in self-care (I mean it!) and identify support systems and resources.

  6. Grieving the Loss of a Child: How Parents Cope

    There are several support groups dedicated to helping parents who have lost a child aimed at garnering comfort and support during this difficult time through sharing stories and building a community. Some support groups are: ... Some ways to get creative are: Creative Writing - This can look like writing fictional short stories, poetry, or even ...

  7. The Lost Child: A Novel

    0374191379. Caryl Phillips's The Lost Child is a sweeping story of orphans and outcasts, haunted by the past and fighting to liberate themselves from it. At its center is Monica Johnson―cut off from her parents after falling in love with a foreigner―and her bitter struggle to raise her sons in the shadow of the wild moors of the north of ...

  8. THE LOST CHILD

    A Gallimaufry of my academic and creative writing - fiction, short stories, articles, musings, book reviews, technology, management, philosophy, self help, food, travel, health, inspirational and academic writing. ... The Lost Child By Mulk Raj Anand. It was the festival of spring. From the wintry shades of narrow lanes and alleys emerged a ...

  9. Creative therapy and shared support can help with grief after losing a

    Creative therapy and shared support can help with grief after losing a child This article is more than 3 years old A retreat for grieving parents provides therapeutic benefits, writes a mother ...

  10. Grieving the Loss of a Child

    He'd leave a constant trail of clutter everywhere he went. I'd walk out of the room, lay eyes on him, and when he saw me, he would smile, a big toothy grin. He'd have six teeth. Drool would be ...

  11. Creative Writing

    The following are all suggestions for ways in which you can use writing to help. Some may appeal to you more than others. 1. 5 minute workout. 2. Journalling. 3. Memories and making poetry. 4. Letters.

  12. A lost child

    a lost child. - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing. a lost child. I lost my child and my sanity. For once that happens all bets are off. The beast is out of her cage. The mother bear will rip your heart and lungs from your body if you've messed with my kid. I guess, even after your kid comes back...

  13. Lost

    By Angela Abraham, @daisydescriptionari, February 23, 2021 . The composed soul, the steady heart, the engaged brain will always find their way home. That's what I believe. So. Be stoic. Feel your calm self return to the uppermost surface of the self. Breathe. "Lost" is tempoarary. You are your own compass.

  14. 14 Special Memorial Ideas for the Loss of a Child

    2. Contemporary memorial service. Contemporary memorial services can be held in just about any location the family wants. With little to no limitation, the parents can opt for places such as a lakeside, the beach, the family backyard, a park, or even a golf course. This type of service allows for unique and personal additions, including:

  15. 64 Simple Grief Journal Prompts and Questions

    10. Write a love letter to your loved one. Don't be embarrassed by what you write in your private journal. This is your safe space to get your thoughts and feelings off of your chest. Journal writing isn't only for adults. If your child recently lost someone, encourage your child to share his or her feelings by writing.

  16. The Child Got Lost at the Crowd

    People kept pushing each other trying to make their way through the crowd. I noticed a little girl about my age standing inside a shop and staring at me through the window. She looked like she wanted to talk. I smiled at her and she stuck her tongue out at me. Angry, I made a face back at her.

  17. 150+ Story Starters: Creative Opening Lines (+Free Generator)

    They can be a way to show the reader the mood of a story. If you want to start a story, you can use a simple sentence. You can also use a question or an inspirational quote. In this post, we have listed over 150 story starters to get your story started with a bang! A great way to use these story starters is at the start of the Finish The Story ...

  18. The Lost Child

    THE LOST CHILD I remember it like it was yesterday, "Come on Michelle, it's time to go," I said as I peeked into the other room. " But,I want to keep playing," She blurted. I walked into the room, as she looked up, her beautiful brown eyes sparkled and locked with mine. ... Creative Writing | Essay Writing | Letter Writing | Poetry Writing ...

  19. Teaching Your Child Creative Writing

    The most important part of teaching your child creative writing is to be a source of encouragement. Allow your child the freedom to be as creative as they want when coming up with a story, and try not to reject their ideas. Focus instead on asking a lot of questions and expanding their vocabulary.

  20. 300 Creative Writing Prompts for Kids

    Write a story about being the ruler of an underwater world. #47. Write an acrostic poem for the word "treehouse". #48. You decide to grow a sunflower, but the sunflower grows so tall it reaches up to the sky! Write about what happens when you decide to climb to the top.

  21. Engaging Narrative Essay Examples About Lost in the Forest

    I had a partially charged phone, and a bottle of water. We continued on our way towards the deeper part of the forest until we were far from any recognizable trail. After two hours, we were in the deepest part of the forest, and we could not trace our other friends. As we went another mile, I never thought we were lost.

  22. 70+ Thoughtful Sympathy Messages for the Loss of a Child

    This is a heartbreaking loss, and giving comfort won't come easily. There's nothing you can do to take away this pain. Still, you can be there for them during a dark time. Show your sincere sympathy with one of these messages below. 1. Your son's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

  23. Creative writing on a lost child

    Business creative writing - lost boy in the child got lost child creative writing my favourite books book expository. Joe fassler is a writer for a lot of your own writing nz. Business creative writing - any kind of two responses to go back: ozark poems. Oh, the story by mulk raj anand. Lindsay schopfer's popular creative writing - writes your ...