Parenting on Empty: When Your Child’s Pain Becomes Your Own
Parenting a child with mental health struggles is an invisible weight many parents carry in silence. Sleepless nights, endless worry, and guilt take a toll, leaving you feeling like you’re parenting on empty. Life doesn’t pause, but neither should your self-care. This is a reminder: you’re not alone, and even small steps forward can create light in the darkness, for you and your child.
Why I Won’t Answer How Maddie Died—and 5 Questions Never to Ask a Grieving Parent
When a parent loses a child to suicide, grief is complex and raw. Well-meaning questions can unintentionally deepen their pain. Instead of probing for details, focus on respecting their boundaries. Certain inquiries can imply blame or stir unresolved pain, making the journey harder. Support is best shown through presence, understanding, and letting the grieving parent share on their terms. Sometimes, the most comforting words are simply, “I’m here for you.
What Does Healing Look Like Years After Loss?
Nearly ten years after losing Maddie, grief remains a constant, though it has transformed me. From feeling lost and adrift to finding a renewed sense of purpose, I've learned that healing isn’t about moving on but moving forward with meaning. Today, I honour her by living fully—with intention, compassion, and a relentless drive to help others. Difficult experiences can harden us, but they can also soften and open us if we let them.
It Doesn’t Need to be Weird: 5 Empathetic Ways to Support a Grieving Friend
Supporting someone who’s grieving can feel awkward and challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether it’s a loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a dream, the best support is simple, sincere, and compassionate. Sometimes, all it takes is listening without fixing, offering specific help, or just being present. Let’s make showing up easier and more meaningful for those going through tough times.
So Grief, Anger and Empathy Walk Into a Bar...
So Grief, Anger, and Empathy Walked Into a Bar…" explores the complex, often contradictory emotions that arise after loss. It delves into how grief can pull you down, anger can drive you forward, and empathy can heal. This story shows how embracing these feelings can turn pain into purpose, and how vulnerability can be the start of a journey towards making a real difference. It’s a raw look at the surprising allies that shape the path from heartache to hope. #GriefJourney #EmpathyMatters #TurningPainIntoPurpose
How Children Navigate the Sudden Loss of a Sibling
Navigating the sudden loss of a sibling is a heartbreaking and complex journey for children. This blog explores how kids process such overwhelming grief, often in ways that aren't visible to adults. By acknowledging their unique emotional needs and providing compassionate support, we can help children heal and honour their sibling’s memory. Learn how to be there when words aren’t enough.