Lost my dad last year very suddenly to cancer and tbh it’s hit me worse now 17 months later I don’t like to think I’m struggling but it’s making me feel less energetic as time goes by.
I work with children and tbh ever since my dad died my passion has gone for childcare, I feel like taking some more time off but I have bills to pay so can’t really afford to. My work has always said that my health comes first which it does but I’m wondering about going back to my gp again and getting on the sick leave.
I feel fine just emotionally it’s draining not having my father in my life. Even getting upset writing this. I don’t know what to do if I should take more time off work?
I was really close to my dad, my whole family was and the fact that it was so sudden we didn’t even know he had cancer until it was too late and only was in hospital 2 weeks.
Does anyone else feel alone even though I still have my mum and brother. My mum now lives on her own which is hard to watch. It doesn’t get easier despite what the saying says, if anything I feel personally it gets more difficult and this is only the 1st year.
Should I take more time off work and will they be okay with that?
Yes, you should definitely listen to what you need. Even a short amount of time off might help you. It sounds like you have supportive employers, as I do too.
Like you I look 3 months off. I then had a 12-week phased return. The team was so understanding, and it certainly didn’t influence them negatively, as I’ve since had an internal promotion (yay).
I lost my parents 23 and 25 years ago now,I took time off and even though i at times felt ready to return to work, I didn’t and had 6 months off. When my Husband’s parents died a year later I encouraged him to do the same- to 5his day he says it was the best advice he ever got. Bereavement is huge and as such I believe you have to follow your feelings so if your employer is supportive then go back to your GP without a doubt.
definitely listen to your body and don’t worry about what others may think - it’s your grief and your work sound understanding which is a huge help
it’s been 3.5yrs since my dad and this time of year always brings up a lot and all i can say is to just take things minute by minute, hour by hour, try to get food and water in you, rest, feel your emotions, just do what you need to do to get by - grief is lifelong so don’t focus on what society has conditioned us to believe and just know we’re all hear to listen, vent, support and cry together to get by 🩷
