In this episode, Ona and Megan discuss their coping mechanisms in grief. They share their experiences in the early days and weeks after their husbands' deaths, including feelings of sadness, anxiety, and disbelief. Ona found comfort in having people around her and not being alone, while Megan found solace in sleeping and going through the motions of daily life. They also talk about the judgments they faced from others who didn't understand their coping methods. Overall, they emphasize the importance of finding what works for you and not comparing your grief journey to others. In this part of the conversation, Megan and Ona discuss their experiences of being alone after the death of their partners. They talk about sleeping arrangements and how they rearranged their living spaces. They also share their thoughts on seeing their partners' bodies after they passed away. The conversation then shifts to therapy and grief support. Megan expresses guilt for not seeking therapy for herself and her children, while Ona shares her experiences with grief groups and therapy. They discuss healthy coping mechanisms, such as reaching out to friends, going for walks, and journaling. In this conversation, Megan and Ona discuss both healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms they have adopted after the loss of their partners. They talk about healthy coping mechanisms such as reading, physical touch, and leaning on loved ones for support. They also discuss unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive shopping and drinking. They share their experiences of using trips and vacations as a way to escape and find joy. Overall, they emphasize the importance of giving oneself grace and understanding that coping mechanisms are a part of the grief journey.

Keywords

coping mechanisms, grief, sadness, anxiety, disbelief, support, judgment, being alone, sleeping arrangements, living spaces, seeing the body, therapy, grief support, coping mechanisms, coping mechanisms, healthy coping, unhealthy coping, reading, physical touch, support, shopping, drinking, trips, vacations, escape, joy, grace, grief journey

Takeaways

• Coping mechanisms in grief vary from person to person and there is no right or wrong way to cope.
• Having people around can provide comfort and support during the early days of grief.
• Sleeping and going through the motions of daily life can be a way to cope and maintain a sense of normalcy.
• Judgments from others about coping methods are unhelpful and should be disregarded.
• Each person's grief journey is unique and should not be compared to others. After the death of a partner, the experience of being alone can be overwhelming and scary.
• Rearranging living spaces and sleeping arrangements can provide a sense of comfort and safety.
• Deciding whether or not to see the body of a deceased loved one is a personal choice, and there is no right or wrong decision.
• Therapy and grief support can be beneficial in helping individuals and families navigate the grieving process.
• Healthy coping mechanisms for grief include reaching out to friends, going for walks, and journaling. Healthy coping mechanisms include reading, physical touch, and leaning on loved ones for support.
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms can include excessive shopping and drinking.
• Trips and vacations can be a way to escape and find joy.
• It's important to give oneself grace and understand that coping mechanisms are a part of the grief journey.

We took a hiatus as Megan "celebrated" the 4 year anniversary of her late husband Matt's death and then proceeded to have a disaster of a holiday week with Pony & kids, while Ona has gone 18 days without seeing B3.

In this episode, we talk all things FRIENDSHIP in grief. Hear how friends have shown up for us and how, while other close friendships were sadly lost.

Follow us on Instagram @widowsdatingdivorceddads for more!

In this conversation, Ona and Megan discuss how they navigate special days and anniversaries related to their late husbands. They share their experiences and feelings about celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and the day of their husbands' passing. They talk about including their new partners in these celebrations and the pressure they sometimes feel to do something special. Ona and Megan also discuss the challenges of carrying their own grief and not being able to take on the grief of others. Overall, they emphasize the importance of finding what feels right for them and their families. In this conversation, Ona and Megan discuss the pressure and expectations surrounding special dates and celebrations after the loss of a loved one. They share their experiences with the buildup of emotions leading up to these dates and the challenges of keeping memories alive. They also talk about the importance of acknowledging and supporting each other during these difficult times.

In this episode, Megan and Ona discuss the baggage that they bring as widows and the baggage that divorced dads bring. They talk about the challenges and insecurities that arise from their respective baggage and how it affects their current relationships. They also touch on the importance of communication and vulnerability in navigating these challenges. In this part of the conversation, Megan and Ona discuss the challenges they face in their relationships due to their baggage from previous marriages and the loss of their partners. They talk about the difficulty of effectively communicating their emotions and needs, especially during times of grief. They also touch on the frustration of not being the top priority in their partners' lives and the reminder that their partners have another parent for their children. The conversation highlights the complexity of blending families and the struggle to navigate different parenting styles. Overall, they acknowledge that finding love again in their 40s is not easy and that their relationships require constant effort and understanding.

Do Megan & Ona see MARRIAGE their Divorced Dads in the future?! Hear their thoughts, the challenges, and if the kids are ready for such a big change.

But first, they share about feeling bitter on Father's Day!

In this episode, Megan and Ona discuss their experiences with their partners' exes. Hear how the first meeting went, whether they did a "deep dive" to find out more about the ex, and how there relationship currently is.

Ona and Megan discuss their weekend activities and their experiences with sleepovers with their new partners. They share how they gradually transitioned from separate sleeping arrangements to sharing a bed with their partners. Both Ona and Megan emphasize the importance of open communication with their children and ensuring their comfort and safety. In this part of the conversation, Ona and Megan discuss their experiences with vacations and sleeping arrangements as blended families. They talk about their first vacations together, the challenges of finding suitable sleeping arrangements, and the importance of having another adult to help with the kids. They also touch on the topic of introducing new partners to the children and the potential difficulties that may arise. Overall, they reflect on their experiences and express gratitude for the support and companionship they have found in their relationships.

In this episode, Megan and Ona delve into the topic of early dating as widows - from flirting to sneaking in after the kids are in bed! They share their experiences and challenges of dating after the loss of their spouses, including the baggage that comes with dating divorced dads.

But first, weekend updates filled with another much needed date for Ona & B3 and Megan's late husband's family comes into town for a birthday party.

Ona and Megan discuss the first nerve-racking meeting with their Divorced Dads and all the kids! Hear how it went, how they were feeling, and what they'd do differently.

But first, weekend updates! Megan had a somewhat stressful boat trip with her Divorced Dad and all 5 of their kids together, while Ona got a hot and spicy date night!

Ona shares how she met B3!

Sound Bites

"I want to go out to lunch with somebody. I want to meet somebody at lunch, maybe have a cosmopolitan. I want to laugh. I want to have inside jokes with somebody."

"I was so assertive, I cannot believe it because I am not assertive."

"He will tell you to this day that that was a critical moment for him was when I put my arm around his waist."