Joyful traditions can feel unbearably loud when grief settles in a home. We sat down to map out a kinder way to show up for grieving parents during the holidays—one rooted in companioning, where presence matters more than pep talks and fixing gives way to listening. The goal isn’t to lift someone out of grief; it’s to walk alongside them with steadiness, humility, and care.

We unpack how the season’s bright energy often clashes with the body-heavy weight of loss, and why “Don’t cheer them up” can be the most loving rule of thumb. You’ll hear simple, human ways to help: say their person’s name without hesitation, send the photo or memory even if tears come, and use small rituals like lighting a candle and texting a picture to signal “I’m with you.” We share scripts you can borrow, from writing holiday cards that acknowledge the pain to invitations that include permission to leave early and a quiet room to decompress. We also talk consent before tributes—asking if a toast, a photo on the mantle, or a candle feels supportive—and letting the griever lead.

For those who want to move from vague offers to real relief, we lay out concrete ideas: handle teacher gifts, assemble toys, wrap presents, run errands, drop off freezer meals, or organize yard work. If you’re close, help build a shared note of needs so friends can plug in without creating more decisions. And through it all, lean into your strengths—whether you’re a doer, a writer, a steady texter, or a calm presence in silence. These small acts help parents conserve energy for what matters most: caring for their children in a season that magnifies absence.

If this conversation helped, share it with someone who wants to show up better. Subscribe for more grounded guidance, and leave a rating and review so other families searching for grief support can find us.

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For more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org

The lights are bright, the music is loud, and everywhere you look someone is telling you to be merry—while your home carries an empty seat. We open the door to a different way of doing the holidays after a death, one that honors grief, protects your energy, and still makes space for your kids’ sparkle when they have it.

Together, Erin and Colleen name the reality many parents feel but rarely say out loud: traditions can hurt, “firsts” can ambush you, and rest isn’t optional. You’ll hear practical ways to simplify without guilt, set boundaries with family, and create a comfort space you can slip into for ten quiet minutes. We reframe asking for help as a deep act of connection and share a simple system—a visible task list and a trusted point person—to turn offers into real support. Plans are written in pencil, not Sharpie, so you can leave early, skip what stings, or try something new this year and return to old rituals later.

We also focus on kids’ needs. Use gentle, open prompts—“I wonder what you’re wondering”—to invite questions about the death, the person who died, and the season ahead. Blend conversation with movement: toss a balloon while you talk, shoot hoops and trade memories, or step outside to discharge extra energy. These small, playful rituals help children regulate big feelings and make remembering feel safe. And when their eyes light up for traditions you can’t carry alone, enlist your circle—let an aunt handle teacher gifts or a friend lead tree decorating for an hour—so kids feel supported without you burning out.

If the person’s absence feels like the loudest voice in the room, say it. Honesty lowers the pressure to be “okay” and teaches others how to support you. Press play for language you can use today, strategies you can try tonight, and permission to do only what your heart and body can hold. If this episode helps, please subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more grieving families can find their way to these tools.

Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5L

Send us a text

For more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org

Welcome to the When Grief Comes Home podcast. We're glad you're here. This podcast supports parents who are grieving a spouse, partner, or child while helping their children who are living through the loss of a parent or sibling. With personal grief stories and professional guidance, we offer parents practical tips for supporting their child who is grieving while caring for their own grief.

A four-year-old finds her dad gone one morning, and that moment reshapes the rest of her life. Audrey joins us to share how childhood loss became a compass—through awkward school projects, the hush that follows “my dad died,” and the everyday pangs that hit when a dashboard light turns on and there’s no one to call. Her story moves from memory and faith to the practical tools—children’s books, art therapy, journaling, and community support—that helped her speak what words couldn’t.

We walk with Audrey through later losses that stirred old alarms and led to a diagnosis of delayed expression PTSD. She opens up about panic attacks, sleepless nights, and the surprising relief she found in body-based practices like progressive muscle relaxation and grounding. Along the way, we talk about post-traumatic growth: how grief work, peer support, and meaning-making transformed pain into purpose, guiding her toward social work and back to Jessica’s House as a volunteer, youth ambassador, and intern.

This episode is a compassionate guide for parents navigating children’s bereavement and for anyone seeking grief support that honors both heart and body. We share language for tough conversations, simple family rituals that keep memories alive—hello, monarch butterflies—and clear, age-appropriate ways to talk about death without sugarcoating. If you’re looking for practical coping skills, faith-informed resilience, and a reminder that “moving forward” doesn’t mean letting go, this conversation is for you.

If this conversation helps, share it with someone who needs it, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a rating and review so others can find the show. For free grief resources or peer support, visit jessicashouse.org, and email topic ideas to info@jessicashouse.org.

Order the book When Grief Comes Home https://a.co/d/ijaiP5L

Send us a text

For more information on Jessica’s House or for additional resources, please go to jessicashouse.org