How to Help Children Cope with Grief with Michele Benyo of Good Grief Parenting

Even out of unspeakable grief, beautiful things can take wing which has been the case for this week's guest, Michele Benyo. Michele loved the motherhood journey so much that she decided to go back to school after the birth of her two children and receive her masters in family education in order to become an Early Childhood Parent Educator. It was shortly thereafter that grief began when her son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 4. The experience ultimately led to her current role as a Certified Grief Recovery Specialist™️. Michele’s younger daughter also played a pivotal role in her career path as she experienced her own grief alongside her 3.5 year-old when her son died.

Today, Michele helps families heal and “live forward” with grief after the death of their child. With the Good Grief Parenting Approach, parents get in touch with their parenting wisdom so they can be confident that they are helping their bereaved young child grieve well and can be hopeful about a future for their family bright with possibilities and even joy. 

Episode Highlights:

• Michele’s experience and journey with grief and how it’s shaped her life and career path
• Answering the question “are kids resilient?” (and why sometimes having resilience is besides the point)
• Why childhood is the best time to teach about grief
• Mistakes that adults often make when it comes to children grieving
• Why Michele and her husband decided to include their young daughter in many of the experiences that came along with their sons cancer journey
• The Good Grief Parenting Framework
• What it means to “live forward”
• Continuing bonds
• Finding permission to grieve in a society that tells us to move on

Mentioned in the episode:

​​Grieving mom is comforted by her 5-year-old article

Connect with Michele:

https://goodgriefparenting.com/services

Order the GG x SSFYL Collab: Not Your Average Grief Box

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