Covid-19 is robbing children taken into care of a chance to properly say goodbye to their families

Saying farewell to my children was devastating, but I at least have memories to treasure. Families today aren’t so lucky

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Sixteen years ago, I was choosing gifts for my children. My eldest son, then aged five, had asked for a “big boy’s watch”. My 18-month-old son would be happy with something he could eat, whether it was edible or not.

I found a shop selling silver tankards, chose two and had my sons’ names and nicknames engraved, along with “mammy loves you”. I spent ages browsing for the perfect card for each of them.

Related: How many children at risk? UK health visitors count the cost of lockdown

Our children deserve to know they are loved and will be missed

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Angela Frazer-Wicks is a founding member of the Family Rights Group’s parents’ panel

In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org

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from Children | The Guardian https://ift.tt/3j8W2TI