Grieving the loss of someone you love is never an easy journey. In this second episode of our series on Grief, I am joined by special guest Sofia, whose mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and passed away in 2018.

Now a high school senior and the oldest of three children, Sofia took on a leadership role in the family in her mother’s absence, and today she's sharing her journey of navigating her grief and balancing responsibilities. By rewiring some of her habits and acknowledging her grief, Sofia experienced self-discovery and healing, and learned to lean on the support of her loved ones while also establishing healthy boundaries and coping mechanisms to help her through the tough times.

I am privileged to share with you Sofia's inspiring story of resilience and strength — please join us today.

Segment 1: Taking on a Parental Role

Sofia starts with talking about how her mother's death forced her to step up and become a parental figure in her family, sharing her experience of taking care of her younger siblings, handling household responsibilities at a young age, and balancing this new role with her own needs and desires.

Segment 2: Realizing the Importance of Self-Care

Sofia discusses how she continued to push herself until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and then she realized that she needed to take a break and prioritize her own well-being.

Segment 3: Finding Support from Friends

In this segment, Sofia and I discuss how her friends played a crucial role in helping her cope with her mother's passing.

Segment 4: Navigating Her Father's Grief

Sophia discusses how her father coped with her mother's death and how she navigated his efforts to keep her presence alive in their lives. She shares how she found a balance between honoring their mother's memory while also moving forward with their own lives.

Segment 5: Setting Boundaries

In this segment, Sofia shares the importance of setting boundaries, taking me-time, and making mistakes as a way of showing that you care.

Segment 6: Reintegrating into Real Life

Sofia shares her experiences of going back to school soon after her mother's passing, the pressure of being known as the girl whose mother had died, and the fear of being judged by others.

Resources Mentioned:

New Hope Grief Organization: https://www.newhopegrief.org/
Help with Hope: https://helpwithhope.org/
Camp Kesem: https://www.kesem.org/
Donate on behalf of Danielle Montiel: https://donate.kesem.org/fundraiser/4385292
Still: Making A Whole When Parts Go Missing: https://www.drkimber.net/books

Check out past episodes and more information here: https://www.drkimber.net/podcast-info

Please remember that this podcast is not a replacement for treatment by a healthcare or mental health professional. This content is created for education and entertainment purposes only.

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Connect with Dr. Kimber:
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About My Work: https://www.drkimber.net
Book: Still: Making A Whole When Parts Go Missing