327 | Messy Mourning (Part Two) with Jackie Baker

How do we keep moving forward after the loss of a child?   In the second half of my conversation with Jackie Baker, author of Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide, we turn to some of the practical challenges grieving parents face as they learn to live with loss. Jackie shares four lies grieving mothers often believe - including the painful thoughts that we somehow failed our child or could have prevented what happened - and points us back to what is true. We also talk about why the second year of grief can sometimes be harder than the first and how to answer that difficult question, “How many children do you have?” We discuss why we can’t walk this road alone, the importance of finding safe people, and some very practical ways friends and family can support a grieving parent. And Jackie shares how she has learned to intentionally look for “beauty in the brokenness” ... noticing the evidence of God’s goodness all around her.   In this episode, we discuss: Four lies grieving mothers often believe Why the second year of grief may feel harder than the first Navigating the question, “How many children do you have?” The importance of safe people, support groups, and counseling What helps—and what doesn’t—when supporting a grieving parent Intentionally looking for beauty in our brokenness The hope we have in Jesus If you missed the first half of my conversation with Jackie, where she shares more about Sebastian and the unique challenges surrounding suicide loss, you can listen to last week's episode HERE.   You can learn more about Jackie, connect with her writing on Substack, and find links to her social media through her website. You’ll also find information about her book, Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child by Suicide, on our website, linked HERE.   Register for the fall Our Hearts Are Home conference HERE!  You will be blessed by attending!   I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! ~Jill ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry.  We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parents Click HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Click HERE to follow our public Facebook page Click HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministry Contact Jill by email at:  [email protected]