Episode
89. The grief for a mother who's still alive
- Published
- Apr 28, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1083
- Processing state
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- https://www.theschoolofmom.com
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Summary
Mother's Day is coming — and for some of us, it lands with a kind of grief that's almost impossible to explain. This episode was inspired by a deeply moving session with our Untethered alum group: a community of women navigating dysfunctional or estranged relationships with their moms. If you're a mom who has a hard relationship with your mom, this one's for you — and it might be the most important thing you share this season. Key Points What it means to be an "Apple" — and why having a space where you don't have to explain yourself is everything The bucket that only your mother can fill (unconditional witnessing, love, and acceptance) — and what to do when she can't Why even the most well-meaning partners often make it worse — and what to ask for from the people in your life instead Why the School of MOM community exists: to be the circle where you are deeply seen, without explanation The two ends of the spectrum: numbing/compartmentalizing vs. fully insourcing your own mothering — and what to do when you're somewhere in the middle The first practice to reach for in a hard moment: the mindfulness of struggle ("This is really hard" + hand on heart) Introducing FMF — Feel My Feelings — and why carving out intentional time to be with your feelings (not alone) is the practice The power of non-human resources: trees, rocks, bodies of water, candles, pets — as steady companions in your FMF moments How naming the struggle brings your prefrontal cortex online and opens the door to the nervous system's safety and connection state An announcement: Sarah is opening a rare one-on-one coaching spot for a mom of daughters who is ready to close the gap between knowing and embodying Quotes "I am honestly ready for my mom to die — and all I want is my mom. And there's not a lot of gro…