Free Baby Loss Journal Writing Prompts
Prompts to explore the experience of miscarriage, stillbirth, & infant death
When we talk about journaling or writing about child loss and grief, one of the most common responses we hear is, “I don’t know what to write about.” If you feel this is true, this section is for you.
Below, you’ll find several writing prompts with a sample beginning sentence and some additional clarifying questions.
Each prompt is designed as a free-writing exercise. While you can write from this first sentence, you are by no means required to—you can start with the phrase or questions listed, or with anything these questions prompt in your mind.
You can even go in a different direction entirely; write what feels right for you.
When finished, you can share your responses in the Sea Glass Parenting Writers Forum on Facebook, on your own social media account or blog, or even in the comments section of that prompt. However, you chose to share, we’d love to hear from you.
Your words are powerful. We hope by sharing these free-writing prompts to give you a starting point to express your story. Your love and grief are honored here, now and always.
Prompts sorted by Title
A Symbol that reminds me of my deceased child is… (SG Writing Prompt)
Like parents of living children who decorate their child’s nursery or bedroom in a theme, bereaved parents often associate a specific symbol or theme with their deceased child. What is this symbol for you? Do you associate your child with a specific animal? Cartoon character? Song? Color? How did you choose this item? How do you use or honor or incorporate this symbol into your life today?
After loss, ordinary life feels… (SG Writing Prompt)
Living in life after loss, the world feels different. There are new goals; new lenses; new priorities. In this new life, what is it like when you see others who still live in the ‘ordinary’ world? What feelings come up for you? What thoughts? Do you ever wish you could join them, or do you feel you’ve left the ordinary world forever?
I wish the world knew… (SG Writing Prompt)
What is the one thing you wish you could share with the world about grief or loss or tragedy? If the world knew this one thing, how would your life be different? How would theirs?
If I could write a letter to anyone at all, I would say… (SG Writing Prompt)
The bereaved sometimes keep thoughts and feelings inside, worried that what they have to say will be perceived as negative, or hurtful, or will simply be misunderstood. If you could write a letter to someone who you’ve struggled in communicating with, who would it be? What would you say? What do you think their reaction would be? What keeps you from sending this letter today?
In life after loss, I feel torn between… (SG Writing Prompt)
The bereaved often feel as if they are torn between different aspects of their lives after loss. If you feel torn, what aspects are pulling at you? Do you find yourself conflicted between happiness and grief, or between moving forward and standing still? What feelings are you torn between? What thoughts? What dreams?
Of all the memories we missed out on making, the one that aches the most is… (SG Writing Prompt)
One of the hardest parts of losing a child in their youth is all of the memories that never got to be. What memories are you missing with your deceased child? What dreams did you have for them that you didn’t get to see? What moment aches the most when you realize it will forever be missing?
One day I would like to… (SG Writing Prompt)
How do you feel about the future? Is it something you look forward to, or something you’d prefer to avoid? How do you see yourself in the future? Is there anything you’d like to accomplish, or anywhere you’d like to see? What is one thing you would like to do or be or feel or see?
One of the most comforting messages I received after my child’s death was… (SG Writing Prompt)
Friends and family may misstep at times after loss, or struggle with saying the ‘wrong’ thing. But sometimes, we find someone who gets it right. Who was that person for you? What did they do or say that brought you comfort? How did that make you feel? How does it make you feel today?
Sometimes I imagine… (SG Writing Prompt)
It’s common to imagine or dream about the life that could or should have been. What do you imagine? Would you like to go back in time and somehow prevent the death of your child? Do you think about future events that will get to be? Or does your imagination touch on different places? How do you feels about these dreams?
The biggest difference between my life Before and After the death of my child… (SG Writing Prompt)
The bereaved often speak of life being divided into Before and After the death of their loved one. In your life after loss, what do you see as the biggest difference between today and the Before? What physical changes do you see? What emotional changes? What changes to your surroundings and scenery? How do you feel about these changes? How does this affect you?
This time last year… (SG Writing Prompt)
Think back to where you were, this time last year, or even several years back. What were you doing? Who were you with? What were you thinking about? What were you feeling? How do all of these things compare to where you are today?
Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder… (SG Writing Prompt)
What do you wonder about when you think about your deceased child? Is it the color of their eyes? What profession they would have chosen? What their favorite color or toy or food would be? Do you imagine these things today, or do you find pleasure in the wondering?
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