189: Grief in Disability Parenting | What it is, Why It’s There, + How to Process It w/ Amanda Griffith-Atkins

Grief around our children’s disabilities can take many forms. Some of us are grieving the life we thought we’d have with our child that looks so very different now. Others of us are grieving the very real possibility of losing them too soon. In this episode, therapist and fellow disability parent Amanda Griffith-Atkins joins me to talk about the complicated grief that comes with raising a disabled or medically complex child. We explore how this grief can morph and change, how it shows up in the quiet, ordinary moments, and how deeply human it is to wish things were easier —not because our children aren’t loved, but because they so deeply are. We also talk about why shame so often gets tangled up in these emotions, and what it looks like to let yourself feel without guilt. Also, a big thanks to Kate Farms for sponsoring this important episode! Links Learn more about the many products Kate Farms offers for our formula and tube-fed kids! Follow Amanda on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins! Follow us on Instagram @the_rare_life! Join The Rare Life newsletter and never miss an update! Fill out our contact form to join upcoming discussion groups! Donate to the podcast or Contact me about sponsoring an episode. Follow the Facebook page. Listen to previous episodes with Amanda: Ep 182 on Hobbies Ep 171 on Financial Strain Ep 159 on Sharing the Mental Load Ep 156 on Getting a Divorce Ep 153 on Hurtful Things Loved Ones Say Ep 147 on Sex and Disability Parenting Ep 142 on If My Disabled Child Outlives Me Ep 135 on Career and Family Roles Ep 132 on Self-Care Ep 131 on Chronic Stress Ep 130 on Anticipatory Grief Ep 99 on Family Planning Ep 85 on Parental Identity Ep 81 on Health Anxiety & our holiday season eps: Being Hospitalized During Holidays - Isolating at Home During Holidays & Why Holidays Can Suck.