How do you grieve while parenting? How do you tend to your own heartbreak and hold space for your children’s?

In this heartfelt conversation with Reshma Kearney, a Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Healing Guide, shares her journey after losing her husband, Sean, to suicide. She opens up about navigating grief as a solo parent, communicating loss with honesty, and finding moments of presence through mindfulness in the first three years of grief.

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This episode is also available in video here.

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Reshma’s story touches on the complexities of mental health, cultural perspectives on grief, and the delicate balance of creating new traditions while honoring those we’ve lost. Through her experience, she reminds us that grief is not something to fix, but something to tend to, with gentleness, awareness, and grace.

Whether you’re parenting through loss, supporting someone who is, or learning to meet your own pain with compassion, this episode offers warmth, wisdom, and ways forward.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief is non-linear, and there’s no “right way” to heal.
• Mindfulness helps bring steadiness and presence to painful moments.
• Children grieve differently; their process deserves honesty and patience.
• Truthful communication about death fosters safety and healing.
• Cultural background shapes how grief is expressed and supported.
• Emotions like anger, guilt, or relief are natural parts of grief.
• Creating new traditions can help families honor loved ones meaningfully.
• Small moments of joy can coexist with deep sorrow.
• Open conversations about mental health can save lives.
• Parenting through grief calls for grace, flexibility, and self-compassion.

Guest: Reshma Kearney

• Trauma-Informed Mindfulness and Healing Guide
• @reshmakearney
• reshmakearney.com

Hosted by: Nina Rodriguez

• Creator of Grief and Light, Grief Guide
• griefandlight.com
• @griefandlight
• Resting Grief Face on Substack

Grief Support Resources for the Road:

• Grief Tending Toolkit
• Access our online community

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Disclaimer: griefandlight.com/safetyanddisclaimers