Have you ever been startled by something completely unexpected? A loud bang. A car horn. Someone appearing behind you without warning. For a split second, your heart pounds. Your breathing changes. Your muscles tense. Your mind races as your body prepares to protect you. Even when you realise you're safe, it can take a few moments for everything to settle again. Now imagine that feeling doesn't disappear after a few seconds. Imagine your nervous system stays on high alert

For parents who have experienced the devastating loss of a child, language can matter deeply. Certain words help express grief, remembrance, and hope in ways that feel human when everything else feels unbearable. One such term is “rainbow baby.”

for anyone finding Christmas more painful than comforting - please know this truth. You are not weak. You are not broken. You are not failing. You are a parent who loved deeply and continues to love still. Surviving this is not small.