The holidays are difficult for parents who have a missing child. If the missing child is an only child, the parent may choose to put the holiday on hold, ignoring the holiday cheer, until there, is some news of their missing child coming home? Ignoring the festivities is slightly more difficult for parents of a missing child with a sibling.

This is especially true if the sibling is younger than the missing child is and cannot understand why Santa would not come simply because Bobby is not home yet. Besides, Santa knows everything, and he must know where Bobby is, to bring him his toys? Why don’t the grown-ups ask Santa Clause where Bobby is?

Shopping for children when you are missing a child is difficult. While parents of missing children would often prefer to sleep straight though the holidays from about October 1 until about January 2. That would soothe much heartache by avoiding many of the holiday’s altogether. Although it is not practical, one can dream.

So what does a parent of a missing child do during the holidays? The answer whatever feels right for them at the time. Some parents will need to go all-out and decorate as if nothing has happened. Others will never put up another decoration until they know what has happened. Still other parents will need to get out of town, and go stay somewhere neutral with no memories of their child to invade their space. Some will need to keep putting up posters and talking about the child’s missing story. All of these are ok. Whatever a parent needs to do is ok.

Buying the missing child the presents he or she would have wanted this year is also ok. Wrapping those presents and placing them with the others under the family tree is ok. Giving those presents to a child who would not get any presents that year in honor of your child is also ok. Placing those presents in a closet after Christmas to wait for when your child comes home is ok. Then as a parent, you can explain you wanted her to have her presents from the years she was missing.

As a parent of a missing child, you do what you need to do to remember your missing child. Do not let anyone tell you it is time to give up hope or it is time to stop fantasizing that your child will come home one day. Tell them to remember, Natascha Kampusch the missing child who escaped her dungeon after eight years. Shawn Hornbeck was missing over four years when he was found safe. You never know where a child might be and when they may be able to get free. Never give up hope.