103: Making our Pain Purposeful
Welcome back to Fight Like a Mother! It's been a hot minute, but we're back, and this conversation is one that's especially close to my heart. In this episode, I'm joined by my dear friend of 35 years, Lisa Taylor, to share the story behind Love Like a Mother Foundation and how one small act of kindness during my son's mental health crisis helped inspire something much bigger. While sitting in the hospital during one of the hardest seasons of my life, a nurse asked me a question I'll never forget: "We're taking really good care of your son. Now, how can we take care of you?" When I told her I needed a hair tie, she gave me one of her own. It might seem like such a little thing, but in that moment, I felt seen. Someone recognized that I was struggling, too. That simple act stayed with me and eventually helped inspire Love Like a Mother Foundation, a nonprofit created to support parents navigating their children's mental health crises. Lisa and I talk about the realities families face during these difficult seasons, why parents need support just as much as their children do, and how small acts of love can make an enormous difference. In this episode, we explore: The hair tie story that started it all. The emotional toll of navigating a child's mental health crisis. Why parents and caregivers often feel isolated, overwhelmed, and forgotten. How Love Like a Mother Foundation is working to support parents through care kits, connection, and virtual support groups. The power of friendship, community, and showing up for one another. How we can all help families who are walking through the unimaginable. A Little Reminder for the Parent Who Needs It If you're parenting a child who is struggling with their mental health, I want you to know something: you matter, too. You don't have to have it all together. You don't have to be strong every second. And you don't have to walk this road alone. Sometimes, support looks like a professional who helps you find answers. Sometimes, it looks like a friend who listens without judgment. And sometimes, it looks like someone handing you a simple hair tie when you feel like everything is falling apart. We believe in miracles, we believe in the power of community, and we believe every parent deserves to feel seen and supported. Because when we love like a mother, we make sure the mothers and all the parents fighting for their kids are loved, too. Get Involved Want to help us support parents of children experiencing mental health crises? Listen and share: Help this conversation reach a parent who needs to know they aren't alone. Get involved: Learn more about Love Like a Mother Foundation and how you can help us support families. Spread kindness: Never underestimate the impact of one small act of love. Thank you for being here and for helping us build a community where no parent has to feel alone. Love like a Mother, Fight like a Mother lovelikeamotherfoundation.org