Mother’s Day comes with a range of emotions when your family is intact, but facing Mother’s Day when your family has been restructured due to divorce can be especially difficult. We often hear about how hard Mother’s Day can be for people who are struggling with infertility or people who are grieving their mother, but it is important to recognize those who are grieving their intact family as well. As a therapist who works with women navigating divorce, I know that Mother’s Day can bring up many mixed emotions for the women in my practice.

The holidays are upon us, and there is a lot of hustling and bustling around. If this is your first holiday since your separation or divorce, you are likely feeling a lot right now. You might be sad, anxious, or overwhelmed by facing Christmas without your ex. You may be feeling lonely or regretful. Or, you may be feeling relief that your house has less conflict and tension. Try to lean into the relief.