It's Fathers Day down here in Australia today. Just wanted to say I'm thinking of all the Dad's today.

Maddie x

Yes, I second that. I wished my husband a happy day and he said he hadn't even realised. Perhaps the commercialism hasn't been flogged to death this year - or perhaps Hallmark days don't register anymore when you've been dragged through the muck. I'm happy for him that he doesn't care, but I'm sure there are plenty of Australian dads out there missing their babies today, and I raise a beer to them.

I third that. Our SIDS and Kids office has a dad's meeting 2 days before father's day, but I don't know how many showed up. My husband intended to go, but then didn't at the last minute because he decided hearing other people's stories isn't what he needs at present. Yesterday was hard. I really felt for him. Last mother's day people were really supportive of me, phone calls checking how I was etc. yesterday he got nothin'. No-one but me recognising that yesterday was possibly a tough day for him. The gender differences between how much support grieving mums and grieving dads get gives me the shits.

My husband made a comment about that a couple of months after Matilda died - he said everyone always asked him how I am but noone ever asked how he was. I think because men cope differently (DH went back to work a week after the funeral and this seems quite common) people assume they're not hurting as much but that's just not true.

Our neighbour (we're good friends) said Happy Father's Day to Mick as soon as he saw him yesterday - it made me cry to hear someone acknowledge that he is a Dad.

I didn't realise both of you were in Australia - I don't know why but I tend to assume everyone here is from America.

OT - Maddie I assume that too, although I'm aware that your're not! Catherine W, Merry and I are in the UK - don't think any other regular posters are. Maybe we should start a thread so we can see where we're all from?

What a lovely thing for your neighbour to do Maddie. I would have cried too.