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Dear bereaved parents and those who support them,

If you are new to Bereaved Parents of Madison: welcome. We are glad you have found us and are so sorry you are here. We hope you find this newsletter helpful in some small way on your grief journey.

Member Story
I Have a Brother in Heaven
By BPoM member Becky, Mama of J, BJ and Davis

My then 4 year old son had a week of excitement of being a big brother before our world changed. I experienced a 15 week pregnancy loss prior to my son being born and since then my partner and I have always felt anxious with pregnancy announcements. We decided to wait for after our anatomy scan to tell J that he was going to be a big brother. Our anatomy scan went very well and we were elated to find out that we were having another boy. We came home that night and told J that there was a baby growing in my tummy and he was going to be a big brother.  My sweet J is a sensitive soul and does not like change, so the next hour was filled with lots of questions and big feelings. Then, as we were brushing our teeth before bed, he said “Mama, I actually think I will like having a baby brother” and my heart was at peace. Later that week, we told other close friends and they all shared that J was going to be the best big brother. 


Continue reading
February Support Events
Bereaved Parents of Madison events
3/16: BPoM Support Group (3rd Thursday)
7:30 - 9:00 pm
All loss families are welcome to join this support group. We will meet virtually through Zoom. Please watch our Facebook page or website for details.


Planning in-person starting September! Meetings will remain virtual through August 2023, with the hope to transition to in-person meetings in September 2023. We are still in the planning stages, so please stay tuned for details. If you would like to share your valuable input on updating meetings, you can fill out our 2 minute survey.
3/19: BPoM Book Club
1:00 pm
Join us for a March virtual book club event! We will be reading ‘At a Loss: Finding Your Way After Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death' by Donna Rothert. You are welcome to attend at any point in your grief: tears, sadness, anger, is all normal in grief. You can read the book at your own pace with the goal of finishing it prior to March 19th. Even if you don't finish, you are more than welcome to join the live discussion!

Please fill out this Google Form to RSVP and request a copy of the book.
3/28: BPoM Rainbow Pregnancies of Madison Support Group (4th Tuesday)
6:00 pm
Note: We will meet virtually through Zoom. Please email rpom@bereavedparentsofmadison.com for details.
Around the community
Please check the individual organization websites to learn more.
3/8: Kull Counseling Miscarriage Support Group (2nd Wednesday)
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Email julie@kullcounselingmadison.com for more information.
3/9: GPS Hope Janesville (2nd Thursday)
6:30 pm
3/12: Alana Rose Foundation's Mourning Coffee Monthly Support Group (2nd Sunday)
8:00 am
Email alanarosefoundation@gmail.com for virtual meeting information.
3/13: Bo's Heavenly Clubhouse (2nd Monday)
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Support meetings at Higher Grounds Coffee Shop in Beaver Dam
3/16: Compassionate Friends Monona (3rd Thursday)
7:00 - 8:30 pm
The support group is meeting virtually. Please email Gina at gma2293@gmail.com for details.
3/27: Bo's Heavenly Clubhouse (4th Monday)
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Support meetings at Higher Grounds Coffee Shop in Beaver Dam
 Other ways to get involved 

Join us on Facebook! 
You can find our public Facebook page here or request to join our private Facebook page here. Our private page is a great place to connect with other loss families and share your thoughts and feelings, good, bad, or in between.

There's a new way to stay in touch with us!
You can now follow Bereaved Parents of Madison on Instagram! Check us out here.
If you need one-on-one peer support please call us at (920) 643-0217.
We will connect you with a HUGS volunteer. 
Resources for siblings who are grieving
Siblings and Grief after Pregnancy and Infant Loss
On RTZ Hope

Navigating grief with children whose sibling has died can be overwhelming.
However much you are able, try to keep lines of communication open as you grieve together. Children are perceptive and will be aware of your feelings—being open and honest will help your child(ren) communicate how they are feeling as well. We hope the following information and suggestions will help guide you in supporting your child(ren) through their grief.

Reassure your children
  • That you love them
  • That you love the sibling they lost (and that is why you are so sad)
  • That they didn’t do anything wrong (and they’re not the reason why you are sad)
Continue reading on rtzhope.org
Other sibling resources
News & Opportunities
Share your story
Do you have something you’d like to share with other bereaved parents about your child(ren) or loss journey? We are seeking stories, poems, songs or art from parents about holidays or meaningful moments to feature in our upcoming newsletters. We’d love to hear from you! Submit a story idea here.

Check out our newsletter archive or member stories page to read other stories and find additional resources.

Upcoming training webinars & conferences

Other Opportunities

  • Baby Loss Remembrance Photography — Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)’s mission is to introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with a free gift of professional portraiture. Their hospital services have been limited due to the pandemic. You can send your own photos to NILMDTS for professional digital retouching.
  • Seeking Handmade Gown Sets and Blankets — Mikayla’s Grace is seeking gown sets (greater than 3 lb size only) and larger blanket sizes. You can sign up here to make them. Handmade items are accepted throughout the year. They will be delivered to area hospitals as they are collected.
  • Resources and community available through RTZ HOPE —  RTZ HOPE is a national non-profit organization that provides holistic support, resources, and community for all people who have experienced unimaginable loss during the journey to parenthood. Their website is a wealth of information with helpful articles, virtual support groups, workshops, webinars, retreats and other programs and services.
  • Wisconsin Center for Stillbirth and Infant Death - A compassionate starting point with comprehensive resources, serving all types of loss parents.
  • Recommended ReadingWe have a suggested reading list available on our website and you can request a free copy of a book (or electronic version) that interests you by filling out our Book Request Form.
  • BPoM Brochures Available — We provide free brochures about our organization and support services to any facility that supports our families. Request brochures here.
Contact
Website
Email
Facebook - Private Page
Facebook - Public Page
Copyright © *2020* *Bereaved Parents of Madison, Inc.*, All rights reserved.

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Bereaved Parents of Madison · PO Box 46511 · Madison, WI 53744-6511 · USA

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