I would like to write a book.
A non fiction book.
I want to tell my story.
The Little Life of Matilda Mae.
I want to tell the story of my beautiful baby girl.
How she changed my world.
How she died far too soon.
So suddenly.
Without warning.
I want to use our story.
To help other mummies who are lost like me.
I want to create a book that will help grieving families.
I want to write about play.
Messy play.
Sensory play.
Playing together as a family.
Telling tales around the Tuff Spot.
I have the beginnings of an idea … for a book.
I would like to write a book to raise money for The Lullaby Trust.
Alongside Matilda’s story I want to share the story of The Lullaby Trust and the fabulous work that they do.
I want to tell how playing with my children helps us all to grieve for Tilda whilst enjoying our time together.
I want to tell the tale of a community that came together to look after one of their own.
The power of Twitter.
The love and friendship and support from our blogging community.
I want to share how I planned Tilda’s funeral.
How we mark her special days.
This is just the beginning of an idea.
I would love to know what you think.
Messy Play for Matilda Mae
(In no particular order)Introduction to Matilda’s story and links to The Lullaby Trust and the work that they do with families like mine
Why Messy Play is Important for all children
A-Z of Messy Materials with an example activity using each material
Playing Through Grief
Messy Play Real Life Themes (a collection of ideas for play)
Tales from the Tuff Spot – Messy Play linked to stories, songs and nursery rhymes
Messy Art (a collection of ideas)
Messy Play as Therapy
Living with Loss
Dealing with sibling grief
Picture books and play experiences that can help toddlers talk about death / loss
How to help a mummy who has lost a baby
A Community Comes Together (what happened after Tilda’s death)
Messy Play for Matilda Mae (collection of posts and why they decided to link up for MM)
Messy Lullabies (a collection of play ideas and the lyrics to the lullaby)
Remembering a Loved One through art and play
Planning a funeral for a baby
The Legacy of Matilda Mae
The work of The Lullaby Trust
List of resources for messy play at home
Online resources including links to bloggers who have contributed to book
I have the beginnings of an idea … for a book.
I would love to know what you think.
Wow. Just wow!
An amazing idea. It sounds wonderful!
I have no doubt that you will do this and it will be a success. a great success for a beautiful girl, Matilda Mae.
I hope with all my heart that this project will also help you with your grief and sadness x x x
Fantastic idea, Lots of people would benefit from this having something to read and give advice when most needed. Also for people who havent lost but know someone who has and want to help? x
i think the book is a lovely idea a lovely way to tell people about Matilda Mae beautiful i wish you look and i hope the book will help you in your grieving and sadness
claire xxxx
That sounds like a great idea, and a wonderful way to honour Matilda Mae and her big impact on the world.xxx
I think that your motive alone – to help others – will mean that you will succeed. The idea of using your own story of how you’ve steered your family through this journey will help so many. The lovely ideas of sensory play and talking to littlies about their sibling is such useful advice.
I think this is a fabulous idea and I am sure you will help so many other people who are going through tragedy like you and your family. You are a beautiful and accomplished writer with a fantastic way with words. Good luck x
Start writing Jennie! 🙂 The ideas and the flow will evolved! Just write from your heart and you will succeed.
I think that it is a wonderful idea Jennie. You write beautifully and I’m convinced that your experiences will help so many other families. You are an amazing lady xxx
Wow – I think this sounds amazing. Perhaps it will be cathartic for you but certainly it will be a great help to others – those who have had a child taken and those who need to know how to help others deal with that loss. I agree that you write beautifully and with great honesty which makes compulsive reading. I look forward to reading it x
I think it is a brilliant idea and a wonderful legacy for your beautiful angel. You have inspired everyone who has read your story on your blog and you could be an inspiration to many more through a book. Put me down for a copy. x
Yes Jennie I think this would be fabulous. I can see you are focused and dedicated to this so you should definitely do it. You know I will help in any capacity that I can, be it graphics or even just designing the layout of the pages xx
Brilliant idea Jennie x
That’s a really wonderful idea – and a beautiful way of honouring Matilda’s Mae – the content sounds great. Just go for it!
These all sound amazing ideas Jennie, and should be shared, but I wonder if there are two separate book ideas here? One on dealing with grief/planning for a funeral/supporting siblings etc and a whole separate book on messy play. Good luck anyway; am sure you will succeed x
I agree with Nicola – I think these are two separate books – both of them wonderful ideas & you will help so many people xxx
Do it. If it helps just one person who has suffered a similar loss, you will have done more good in this world than most people will ever do.
(I usually read your blog without commenting; a bit of a lurker, if you will; but I couldn’t keep silent on this one.)
I think it’s brilliant. I think people would buy it and be comforted by it. I think there is no-one better to write it than you x
A book is an amazing idea! xx
I think you have such an amazing idea.
You have gained such strength through your loss.
I would love to wach the process of the book being written.
As a childcare student I would love to be a part of the process of writing a book that is full of such things that are so topical at the moment, both raising awareness of The Buterfly trust and ‘creative’ play are massively important. The changes in the Early Years Foundation Stage put a real emphasis on creativity and learning through play.
It is obvious that Esther & William have such an amazing mum, so creative and someone with them in the forefront of her mind always.
Rozi. (@rozihetheringto)
A great idea Jenny. How wonderful to bring together grief and play. It’s such a unique idea and would be so inspirational to others going through grief. I imagine many people feel that they are have to just ‘soldier on’ with their kids during dofficult times. Your wonderful ideas would teach them how they can remember through play. I bet nothing like this has been done before by a parent whose been through it. You have such a special gift that should be shared xxx
A fantastic idea that will help so many others, be it through your words of the money it raises. All the best for it-I’m sure there will loads of help out there too. Good luck! x
I think you ought to do this if you possibly can. You are gifted at wrapping your experiences in words – a real artist. I think this would be a wonderful legacy, putting Tilda and a book about play together….just wish it didn’t have to be a legacy. Your honesty will, no doubt, help many others. I hope it helps you too, and gives you another way to lock those memories in your heart and mind.
I love this idea. I also think perhaps that this could be put into two books. One on messy play with ideas and resources etc. this could be used as a fundraiser for the lullaby trust, I am sure it would be a big hit with pre-schools, reception classes, playgroups, etc. with an introduction which explains the legacy that Tilda has left and perhaps a referral to the second book.
The second on the way you have managed to cope, survive, exist in the days since Tilda died. I am sure that this could be useful to many people and would also sell well.
Just start writing and see what you think as you get further into it.
I am so pleased at the number of people you have inspired into trying messy play, you should be very proud!
“I want to use our story. To help other mummies who are lost like me. I want to create a book that will help grieving families.” Beautifully selfless as always, Jennie. You could so easily close your doors and shut people out to try and deal with your grief but you are constantly thinking of others and how you can help and have been right from the start of this tragedy. I think the ideas you have are completely amazing and I will support you in any way I possibly can xx
A lovely idea x
i think your idea is fab x
Brilliant idea Jennie! And there are plenty of people here to help if you need it x
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I would add another chapter, possibly written by Dave, on how to help a daddy who has lost a baby.
I defiantly agree with those above that said it should be two books. I admire you, to go through so much and put that hardship into action through fund raising and writing. Your a strong lady and the whole blogging community stand by you 100% in every venture.
We don’t know each other very well and I haven’t been a blogger for long enough to have followed your sad journey but please do tell me if there is anyway I can help with your book/books, be it research or simply linking up a messy play post.
Your always in our thoughts x