Millions of people across the UK will be celebrating their dads this Father's Day on Sunday 15 June.
But if you are not seeing your dad or he is no longer here, it can be really tough.
Read Lottie's story below who talks about how she copes with the loss of her dad when it's Father's Day.
Lottie’s dad died when she was three years old. Now she’s thirteen, we asked her about her experience of Father’s Day over the years and what advice she’d give to other young people grieving the loss of a parent.
Lottie: Well, I don't remember much from when I was younger about Father's Day, but as I grew up I remember feeling quite sad about it and as I like began to grieve, because when I was younger I didn't really understand what was going on at all, but as I grew up, it almost became a day of remembering. I remember when I went to different clubs at school and outside of school when we're doing activities like all making Father's Day cards and I was like what am I meant to do? They're just like oh make one for your grandpa or something, but I was like that's not my dad, but who am I meant to do it for then? My stepdad, my dad, my grandpa? Nobody else really understood how I felt, because not many people had really been through the same thing as me.
Father's day’s almost like a good day for me now because obviously I've had my stepdad in my life for a long time now, it's almost a celebration for him, but then obviously I am still remembering my dad, but it's very different from when I was younger, whereas when I was younger, it was obviously was like sad and it was like basically another day without my dad, it didn't really have much meaning to me, it was almost just like another sad day like his birthday or the day that he died. Um… but now I feel like it's more of a celebration which is really what it should be.
Um… Well on Father's Day, what I used to do, I don't do as much any more, is when my mum started painting a rock for me, so every year, we paint a layer of the rock and then the next year you paint another one. Because I hadn't really learned how to grieve yet it was like oh that day we've painted a different layer on Daddy's rock to remember him by, but then as I've grown up I've kind of been able to… because I'm now grieving myself I don't really need to paint the rock. I like remember him in different ways by like pictures and videos that I have.
I would tell them that it's OK to cry and be sad because, really that's what the first Father's Day is gonna be because it's going to be a sad day because you're so used to having your dad around and now it's like the first milestone of him not being there. And also not everyone's gonna understand how you feel, because, um they obviously aren't gonna have been through your situation. What I've realised from… from my experience is that not many people are very good at saying things to people who have lost their parents because if they haven't gone through it they don't really know what to say. So you almost have to understand that people aren't gonna know how you feel, but then also know that it's going to get better because as the years go on its almost going to become into something better than what it was when you were younger.
What I've realised from… my experience is that not many people are very good at saying things to people who have lost their parents because if they haven't gone through it they don't really know what to say.
Lottie and her mum were supported by Winston's Wish, a charity which supports bereaved children. Suzannah Phillips, Head of Clinical Governance and Professional Development for Winston’s Wish, says “If it’s your first Father’s Day without your dad then you might find yourself feeling upset and tearful and it may seem that other people don’t know what to say at first. For other children and young people, it might be a chance to remember and celebrate their dad’s life… As Lottie says in the video, it’s OK to be sad on Father’s Day and it’s also OK to want to be happy and celebrate too. Although you will always miss that special person it’s important to know that you can go on to live a positive life after the death of a loved one.”
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
You can find support with bereavement here
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