What happens when a widowed parent starts dating again? The parent might be ready for companionship, connection, or even a new relationship—but what does that feel like for the kids?

This week, Anita and Mel dig into a survey they conducted with kids who have a widowed parent, asking them how they feel about their parent dating again. What are their biggest concerns? Does it feel different when a parent dates versus when they get serious about someone? How do kids navigate the idea of a new person entering a family that has already experienced a huge loss?

Anita and Mel explore the kids' responses and what they can teach us about dating after widowhood, balancing a parent's needs with a child's feelings, and making space for everyone's experience of grief and change.

Because when a widowed parent starts dating, it's not just the parent's life that's changing. The kids are navigating it, too.

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This week, Anita and Mel talk with Sandra Neperud - fellow widow and the creator of The Grief App, a resource designed to help people navigate the messy, unpredictable reality of loss. Sandra joins them from https://thegriefapp.com/om her travel van, bringing her own experience with grief into the conversation.

Sandra shares what inspired her to create The Grief App and how her experience as a widow shaped the idea behind it. They talk about the reality of grief after the initial shock wears off, the need for support that’s available when you actually need it, and how technology can provide practical tools and connection when life feels completely unfamiliar. And better yet, there is no use of AI with The Grief App!

Find The Grief App in iTunes or Google Play: https://thegriefapp.com/

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

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This week, Anita and Mel sit down with Michael Reed, who experienced an unimaginable loss when his wife and two daughters died in a fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee in 2016. His son survived, and Michael was left to navigate a grief no parent should ever have to face.

Michael shares his journey through the million stages of grief and the million stages of healing, the inspiration behind his books, The Million Stages of Grief and The Million Stages of Healing, and what it means to keep living when your entire world has changed in an instant.

It's a deeply moving conversation about devastating loss, parenting through grief, finding a way forward, and discovering that healing isn't a straight line or a destination. There isn't just one way to grieve, and there certainly aren't just five stages.

Michael's story is a powerful reminder that even after unimaginable loss, life can continue to unfold in ways we never expected.

Check out Michael's books at: https://themillionstages.com/

Sponsored by:

BetterHelp.com. Save 10% off the first month of online therapy done securely, online with our unique link: https://trybetterhelp.com/wwdn

Mint Mobile: Mobile phone plans with great service and coverage starting at $15/month https://trymintmobile.com/wwdn

Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes and more!
http://www.patreon.com/wwdn

Support the show