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

Bonus. 5 Tips for Preparing for the Holidays

A podcast for women who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. Listen in on honest conversations from real women as they share candidly about their own experience of loss and what it has looked like for them to navigate grief. 

If you have experienced the loss of a baby and are searching for hope and joy and just another mama who understands what you are going through, then this podcast is for you.

If you are a friend or a family member of someone who has experienced the loss of a baby and are looking for ways to intentionally care for and love the one grieving, this podcast is for you too. 

A new episode releases every Wednesday. Make sure you don't miss a single one so click subscribe.

Kids & Family

Parenting

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. 

This is Motherhood, too. [REPLAY]

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  Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle  Join us for a Christmas Devotional Book Club for December (Get the devotional here.) Our Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms Keepsake DIY Ornaments (click here) 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.

Bonus. A Prayer for the Hardship of Holidays with Ashlee Proffitt

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   Episode 56 Navigating the Holidays after Loss with Lindsey Dennis   Episode 58 Navigating the Holidays after Loss with Mary Catelynn Stamm   Episode 101 Navigating the Holidays after Loss with Meg Walker and Mary Margaret Powitz   Episode 138 - 5 tips for Navigating the Holidays   Episode 139 Practical Advice from 6 Grieving Moms About Navigating the Holidays   Episode 140 What to Know About Christmas Traditions as a Grieving Mom and 5 Christmas Tradition Ideas   Episode 184 - What We Wish You Knew About Grief & The Holidays   Episode 210 - How to Navigate the Holidays, a Q&A; episode where I answer your questions.   Episode 211 - 5 Things to Know About What It’s Like to Be a Grieving Mom During the Holidays and how you can help   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  Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle  Christmas Devotional & Study Guide Bundle  (click here) Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms Christmas Card Guide 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.

212. 10 Episodes that Will Help Right Now

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  Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle  Christmas Devotional & Study Guide Bundle  (click here) Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms Christmas Card Guide 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.

211. 5 Ways to Love a Grieving Mom Through the Holidays

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  Download the Free Navigating the Holidays Workbook & Resource Bundle  Christmas Devotional & Study Guide Bundle  (click here) Christmas Gift Guides for Grieving Moms Christmas Card Guide 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.

210. Why do I feel like I can’t get through the holidays? Is it ok to cancel plans and disappoint people? How Do I Include My Baby In Heaven in Holiday Traditions? | Answering Your Questions About Hol

Bonus. 5 Tips for Preparing for the Holidays

Download our free app to listen on your phone