PW Design and Co

As many of you know this year has been a rough start for losing family members. My dear grandmother passed away in February at the amazing age of 99 years old. And my husband’s grandfather passed away in April at the impressive age of 98 years old. Losing a loved one is a profound and challenging experience, one that can feel even more overwhelming when you’re also responsible for raising young children. The intersection of grief and parenting presents a unique set of hurdles to navigate, but it’s also an opportunity for growth, resilience, and finding strength in unexpected places.

Amidst the waves of grief and sadness, I found myself grappling with how to support my children through their own emotions while simultaneously coping with my own. Knowing that the concept of death for a three year old is a pretty big ask. It was a delicate balancing act, one that often left me feeling drained and emotionally spent.

One of the most important things I learned during this time was the power of honesty and open communication. While it’s natural to want to shield our children from pain, pretending that everything is okay only serves to create confusion and distrust. Instead, I made a conscious effort to speak openly with my son about what had happened, using age-appropriate language to help them understand.

We talked about death in a gentle and loving way, emphasizing that it’s a natural part of life and something that everyone experiences eventually. I encouraged him to ask questions and express their feelings, reassuring him that it was okay to feel sad, angry, or confused.

But it wasn’t just about talking—it was also about listening. I made sure to create space for my son to share his thoughts and emotions without judgment, offering comfort and support whenever he needed it. Sometimes this meant holding him while he cried, and other times it meant simply being present and offering a listening ear.

The funeral was another challenge I did not expect. While already emotionally spent there was the important task of keeping a 3 year old entertained while the service was on. And it is beyond comprehension at his age to full grasp what is happening, so with that came a bored and curious little boy. I had snacks, took him outside as needed and gave myself grace navigating this. The end of the day had me completely spent and warranted a good cry. Just know you are doing so much and it is okay to fall apart while grieving a loved one. 

In addition to open communication, routine became a lifeline for our family. Amidst the chaos of grief, having a sense of structure and stability provided a much-needed sense of normalcy for both myself and my children. We stuck to our regular routines as much as possible, whether it was meal times, bedtime rituals, or weekly outings.

Of course, there were days when everything felt too much to handle, when the weight of grief threatened to consume me. During those moments, I learned the importance of self-care and reaching out for support. Whether it was through therapy, support groups, or simply leaning on friends and family, I know that I didn’t have to navigate this journey alone.

Slowly but surely, we began to heal as a family. Instead, we choose to honor their memory by living each day with love, compassion, and gratitude.