A special episode in honor of your motherhood. This entire month we are giving space for your unique story of motherhood, providing a little extra support and hope as you head into Mother’s Day – a day that can be full of many complex emotions, often very painful.

But more important than our resources and articles on the blog and special episodes here on the podcast, mostly, I want you to know, we want you to know that Your motherhood is motherhood, too.

Even if it doesn’t look like everyone else’s, or like how you wish yours was.

Even in the journey you’re facing, this day is for you, too.

In this special episode I am kicking off this month with a poem written by Meg Walker called This is Motherhood, Too. I pray it brings you comfort, hope and gives you space to honor your unique journey as a mother. 

For our best and most helpful resources for navigating Mother's Day, download our free Resource Bundle & Workbook: www.themorning.com/mothersday. 

From Every Moment Holy, Volume II 

"Lead me, O Lord, through this layered confusion 

of celebration and lament, of things present,

and things past. Let me make of this day a new thing.

Though holidays might be hard days, O God, 

by the movement of your mercies 

may they also become holy days, 

teaching me again and again to entrust to you my many griefs,

as often as these unavoidable days uncover and reveal them."

"Now lead me, carry me, and walk beside me through this day,

O Christ, shepherd of all my sorrows. In unexpected places, let me find joy.

Amen."

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCES: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle 
2. Join us for a Christmas Devotional Book Club for December (Get the devotional here.)
3. Our Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)
5. Get your Christmas Apparel (Back in the shop!)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF GUIDE

Our best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

Over the years we have created several episodes for navigating the holidays after loss and in this episode I’m sharing with you 10 of our favorites – I know it can be challenging to sift through hundreds of episodes so we did the hard work for you and pulled a few favorites to get you started.

TOP 10 HOLIDAY EPISODES

1. Episode 56 Navigating the Holidays after Loss with Lindsey Dennis

2. Episode 58 Navigating the Holidays after Loss with Mary Catelynn Stamm

3. Episode 101 Navigating the Holidays after Loss with Meg Walker and Mary Margaret Powitz

4. Episode 138 - 5 tips for Navigating the Holidays

5. Episode 139 Practical Advice from 6 Grieving Moms About Navigating the Holidays

6. Episode 140 What to Know About Christmas Traditions as a Grieving Mom and 5 Christmas Tradition Ideas

7. Episode 184 - What We Wish You Knew About Grief & The Holidays

8. Episode 210 - How to Navigate the Holidays, a Q&A episode where I answer your questions.

9. Episode 211 - 5 Things to Know About What It’s Like to Be a Grieving Mom During the Holidays and how you can help

10. Episode 189 - 3 Things to Know About the New Year

WE LOVE LAURELBOX: GIFTS FOR GRIEVING HEARTS

This episode is sponsored by Laurelbox. We love Laurelbox for the beautiful and tangible ways they help us as grieving moms to honor and celebrate our babies this holiday season. Laurelbox has the most beautiful personalized candles and ornaments– the perfect addition to your holiday season. It’s simple while being intentional, thoughtful and as I said, beautiful. Check out our favorites by heading to themorning.com/laurelbox. 

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCE LIBRARY: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle 
2. Christmas Devotional & Study Guide Bundle  (click here)
3. Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Christmas Card Guide
5. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

In this episode I’m sharing with you 5 simple ways to love a grieving mom through the holidays – 5 things to know about what it’s like to be a grieving mom during the holidays and how you can meet her in those things, showing up for her in very simple ways this holiday season. This episode is about simple acts of understanding, giving space, and simply showing up in the tender, challenging spaces of grief for the ones you love.  

I pray the words I share with you today offer you the encouragement you may have needed to reach out and show up for a grieving mom this season. I pray these words remind you that you don’t have to show up perfectly for it to matter so much.  

> If you love a grieving mom, download the How to Love a Grieving Mom free guide: themorning.com/friendsandfamily

> Gift Guide for Grieving Moms: www.themorning.com/giftguide

WE LOVE LAURELBOX: GIFTS FOR GRIEVING HEARTS

This episode is sponsored by Laurelbox. We love Laurelbox for the beautiful and tangible ways they help us as grieving moms to honor and celebrate our babies this holiday season. Laurelbox has the most beautiful personalized candles and ornaments– the perfect addition to your holiday season. It’s simple while being intentional, thoughtful and as I said, beautiful. Check out our favorites by heading to themorning.com/laurelbox. 

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCE LIBRARY: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle 
2. Christmas Devotional & Study Guide Bundle  (click here)
3. Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Christmas Card Guide
5. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

In this episode I’m answering your questions about navigating the holiday season while grieving the loss of a baby. 

I pray the words I share with you today offer you hope in this season. I pray these words remind you that you are not alone.  

WE LOVE LAURELBOX: GIFTS FOR GRIEVING HEARTS

This episode is sponsored by Laurelbox. We love Laurelbox for the beautiful and tangible ways they help us as grieving moms to honor and celebrate our babies this holiday season. Laurelbox has the most beautiful personalized candles and ornaments– the perfect addition to your holiday season. It’s simple while being intentional, thoughtful and as I said, beautiful. Check out our favorites by heading to themorning.com/laurelbox. 

FREE HOLIDAY RESOURCE LIBRARY: www.themorning.com/holidays

1. Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle 
2. Christmas Devotional & Study Guide Bundle  (click here)
3. Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms
4. Christmas Card Guide
5. Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here)

> www.themorning.com/holidays

FREE ONLINE SUPPORT COMMUNITYA place away from social media where you can find support and care from women who are just like you. Women navigating the day to day ups and downs of grief. A place where you can feel not alone in this. Come join us: themorning.com/community

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE GUIDE: IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOMAnd if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend: themorning.com/friendsandfamily.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

In this episode I’m sharing with you what I want every grieving mom who has experienced infant loss to know about grief and life after loss. For those who are listening who love a grieving mom and might not be as familiar we wanted to take a second and define infant loss – infant loss includes those whose babies within the first year of life. I pray the words I share with you today offer you hope. I pray they remind you that you are not alone. 

In this episode:

• Letter from a grieving mom to a grieving mom
• Words of hope and understanding from women have experienced a similar loss
• Answers to questions you may be wondering about your loss and life now
• 5 Things to Know about Grief
• 10 Ways to Honor and Celebrate Your Baby
• 1 thing you can do today to find hope:
  • Journal Prompt: Write a note to your baby/babies telling them your favorite memory you have about them that makes you smile.
  • Prayer Prompt: Ask God to remind you of those sweet memories when you most need them. 

Resources in this episode:

• Planning a Funeral or Memorial Service
• Memory Making & Photo Checklist
• Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
• La Leche League Article 
• Cabo Cream
• Pink Stork No Flow Tea
• Birthdays, Anniversaries, Due Dates & Other Significant Milestones

PINK STORK Holistic health support they offer women, especially grieving mothers > Here

RESOURCES FOR YOU

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY: Join Here.

THE MORNING SHOP For tangible tools to help navigate grief and to honor your baby and motherhood. Shop Here.

FREE DEVOTIONALA free 7 day devotional for those who have eperienced the loss of a baby. Download here.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, pretty pictures from the early christmas decorators, gift guides for every gift giving situation and person, the text messages exchanging plans, recipes, and details for the holiday family gatherings this year, and invitations to all the holiday parties – no matter how hard you may be trying to hide from it, you have likely already been inundated by this fast approaching season. Where everyone seems about to burst with excitement and joy. Everyone except you. Grief has felt so lonely and in this moment it feels even more so. As if you are the only one who would rather skip the next two months and all it’s festivities altogether.  

The holidays season, Thanksgiving into Christmas and New Years can be excruciating for families walking through grief after the loss of a baby. The season can feel impossible, overwhelming, scary or simply something to be avoided. 

I wanted to share a few quick resources with you to help you prepare for this season so you can move forward with hope. 

Holiday Workbook & Resource Bundle: www.themorning.com/holidays

Holiday Support Group for Grieving Moms: the-morning.myflodesk.com/holiday-support-group

LISTEN: Episode 56, Episode 57, Episode 58, Episode 101, Episode 138 and Episode 183

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FOR A GRIEVING MOTHER: www.themorning.com/blog/5-christmas traditions-for-a-grieving-mother

DIY ORNAMENTS TO HONOR YOUR BABY: www.themorning.com/blog/diy-christmas-ornaments

CHRISTMAS CARD GUIDE: www.themorning.com/blog/christmas-card-guide

In this episode I’m sharing with you what I want every grieving mom who is carrying her baby after receiving a life-limiting diagnosis to know about the pregnancy, grief and life after loss.

I pray the words I share with you today about grief and life after receiving a difficult and devastating diagnosis – offers you hope. I pray these words remind you that you are not alone.  

For those listening whose baby has been born and has already died and you are looking for help navigating grief, we have previous episodes that will be helpful for you, as well. For those enduring a 2nd trimester loss, listen to Episode 205, for those whose babies were born still in the 3rd trimester or at full term, listen to Episode 206, and for those whose babies were born prematurely or lived less than 28 days, listen to Episode 207. For those whose babies lived up to 1 year old, listen to Episode 209.

In this episode:

• Letter from a grieving mom to a grieving mom
• Words of hope and understanding from women have experienced a similar loss
• Answers to questions you may be wondering about your loss and life now
• 5 Things to Know about Grief
• Ways to Make Memories & Celebrate Your Baby 
• 1 thing you can do today to find hope:
  • Journal Prompt: Write a list of things that are true about your baby and how much they mean to you, even in spite of their diagnosis.
  • Prayer Prompt: Ask God to remind you of the things that are true about your baby when you most need the reminding. 

Resources in this episode:

• Doula: stillbirthday.com/find-doula/
• Perinatal Hospice & Palliative Care: www.perinatalhospice.org
• Birth Plan: carryingtoterm.org/your-birth-plan/
• Hospital Bag Checklist
• Memory Making & Photo Checklist
• Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
• La Leche League Article 
• Cabo Cream
• Pink Stork No Flow Tea
• Planning a Funeral

PINK STORK Holistic health support they offer women, especially grieving mothers > Here

RESOURCES FOR YOU

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

THE MORNING SHOP For tangible tools to help navigate grief and to honor your baby and motherhood. Shop Here.

FREE DEVOTIONALA free 7 day devotional for those who have eperienced the loss of a baby. Download here.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

In this episode I’m sharing with you what I want every grieving mom who has experienced a Neonatal or Preterm Loss to know about grief and life after loss. I pray the words I share with you today offer you hope. I pray they remind you that you are not alone. 

In this episode:

• Letter from a grieving mom to a grieving mom
• Words of hope and understanding from women have experienced a similar loss
• Answers to questions you may be wondering about your loss and life now
• 5 Things to Know about Grief
• 10 Ways to Honor and Celebrate Your Baby
• 1 thing you can do today to find hope:
  • Journal Prompt: Write a note to your baby/babies telling them your favorite memory you have about your pregnancy and/or baby that makes you smile.
  • Prayer Prompt: Ask God to remind you of those sweet memories when you most need them. 

Resources in this episode:

• Hospital Bag Checklist
• Memory Making & Photo Checklist
• Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
• La Leche League Article 
• Cabo Cream
• Pink Stork No Flow Tea
• Planning a Funeral or Memorial Service
• Birthdays, Anniversaries, Due Dates & Other Significant Milestones

PINK STORK Holistic health support they offer women, especially grieving mothers > Here

RESOURCES FOR YOU

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

THE MORNING SHOP For tangible tools to help navigate grief and to honor your baby and motherhood. Shop Here.

FREE DEVOTIONALA free 7 day devotional for those who have eperienced the loss of a baby. Download here.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

In this episode I’m sharing with you what I want every grieving mom who has experienced a 3rd trimester loss to know about grief and life after loss. I pray the words I share with you today offer you hope. I pray they remind you that you are not alone.  In this episode:

• Letter from a grieving mom to a grieving mom
• Words of hope and understanding from women have experienced a similar loss
• Answers to questions you may be wondering about your loss and life now
• 5 Things to Know about Grief
• 10 Ways to Honor and Celebrate Your Baby
• 1 thing you can do today to find hope:
  • Journal Prompt: Write a note to your baby/babies telling them your favorite memory you have about your pregnancy and/or baby that makes you smile.
  • Prayer Prompt: Ask God to remind you of those sweet memories when you most need them. 

Resources in this episode:

• Hospital Bag Checklist
• Memory Making & Photo Checklist
• Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
• La Leche League Article 
• Cabo Cream
• Pink Stork No Flow Tea
• Birthdays, Anniversaries, Due Dates & Other Significant Milestones

PINK STORK Holistic health support they offer women, especially grieving mothers > Here

RESOURCES FOR YOU

FREE GRIEF RESOURCE BUNDLEOur best and most helpful resources for navigating grief and life after loss all in one place. Plus a list of our favorite books for children about grief and loss. Download Here.

THE MORNING SHOP For tangible tools to help navigate grief and to honor your baby and motherhood. Shop Here.

FREE DEVOTIONALA free 7 day devotional for those who have eperienced the loss of a baby. Download here.

RATE, REVIEW &  FOLLOW ON APPLE PODCASTSIf you love The Joyful Mourning Podcast, please consider rating and reviewing the show! This helps moms who are grieving to find us a little easier and get that support they need. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know how this episode helped you.

Listen into today’s special episode where I share: a non-comprehensive list of the things a grieving mom may be thinking about at any given moment. I say non-comprehensive because the things we think about as grieving moms are often complex and can be difficult to put into words.

I am sharing this somewhat seemingly random list of thoughts to do two things:

1. To help a grieving mom hear me say -- you are not alone in the way you are thinking about this nor are you crazy. The way you are seeing this and thinking about this is completely normal and to be expected. 
2. To help someone who has not experienced the loss of a baby better understand what is happening inside the head and heart of a grieving mom -- to have compassion and empathy when you might not understand how she is responding or better yet to have compassion and empathy when you judge her response as not appropriate.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness month. In these short episodes I will be highlighting specific topics surrounding pregnancy and infant loss in order to give you a voice, to acknowledge your loss and to help others who have not experienced this kind of loss understand a little better what it is to be a baby loss mom. If you love a grieving mom this bonus series on the podcast is going to be incredibly helpful at understanding her better. 

IF YOU ARE A GRIEVING MOM

For an abundance of resources about navigating life after the loss of a baby head to www.themorning.com/resourcebundle

IF YOU LOVE A GRIEVING MOM

And if you love a grieving mom, we have something for you too, a free guide with simple tips for how to love a grieving friend, head to themorning.com/friendsandfamily.