Lauren Schneider of OURHOUSE on Being Honest with Kids - and - the First 90 Days as a Widowed Parent

I had such a great discussion with Lauren Schneider for this episode. When Lauren and I talked back in episode 79, together with Maria Quiban Whitesell, we didn’t have a chance to talk about the programs at OURHOUSE Grief Support Center in Los Angeles. I invited Lauren back to talk with us about that, as well as some other topics I’ve been getting questions from listeners about.

Some topics Lauren and I discuss include:

• Why it’s so important for kids and teens to know the truth about the circumstances of their parent’s death, including in cases that are difficult to talk about, such as suicide;

• Why being able to trust their surviving parent is critical to kids’ ability to develop future close and trusting relationships;

• Tips for telling kids the truth later if that didn’t happen initially;

• Lauren’s Golden Rule – if a child is old enough to ask a question, they are old enough to hear the answer;

• The first 90 days as a widowed parent; and

• The programs at OURHOUSE Grief Support Center, for families in the Los Angeles area.

I hope you enjoy my discussion with Lauren Schneider.

Links & resources for this episode

• OURHOUSE Grief Support Center

• One Last Hug: Three Days at Grief Camp

• National Alliance for Grieving Children

• Episode 79: Maria Quiban Whitesell & Lauren Schneider discuss their new book, You Can’t Do It Alone

• Episode 51: Camp Erin, Camp Mariposa, and the Eluna Network’s Resource Center

More links for listeners

• Download: Kids & Grief: What You Need to Know

• Article: I’m a Widowed Mom: Here Are My 3 Tips for COVID-19 Widows

• Book: Widowed Parents Unite: 52 Tips to Get Through the First Year, from One Widowed Parent to Another

Thank you sponsors & partners:

Help Texts - Grief support text messaging service. Tips and support delivered all year long, personalized based on your loss. Listeners get $10 off: https://helptexts.com/jennylisk

BetterHelp - Talk with a licensed, professional therapist online. Get 10% off your first month: betterhelp.com/widowedparent

Support the show - Chip in at BuyMeACoffee.com

What is your biggest challenge as a widowed parent right now?

Call our voice mailbox at (669)257-3434 and leave a message. Or, answer this quick one-question survey. We’ll work with experts to answer listener questions in future episodes & articles.

---