In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating topic of parenting styles, comparing our own approaches to those of our parents and exploring the transformative shift towards open conversations surrounding mental health and emotions.
Join us as we share our personal birth stories, discussing the mindset and emotions leading up to those life-changing moments. We also delve into Bekah's decision to go no contact with her family, providing a glimpse into the reasons behind this difficult choice.
The sudden passing of Bryan's mother just before the COVID-19 lockdowns forever altered the dynamics of his family, and we delve into the profound impact of this loss. Bryan opens up about the role his mother played as the glue holding everything together, highlighting the challenges his family faced in the wake of her passing and the added complications imposed by pandemic restrictions.
Throughout this episode, we touch on various other thought-provoking topics:
Light-hearted discussions about why partners shouldn't take a peek "down there" during childbirth.
The unique experience of cutting the umbilical cord and the emotional significance it holds.
Bryan's brave account of grief and loss, sharing how one never truly recovers from losing a loved one but instead learns to live with a "new normal".
Processing "Big feelings" as a family unit.
Engaging in conversations about religion and faith, while consciously avoiding falling back on them as explanations for death and loss.
Discovering striking similarities between Bryan and Carter's lives, from their upbringings to their mothers sharing the same taste in music and passing away at the same age.
Bekah sheds light on the use of a codeword, "sensory," within their family, a tool employed to support a family member in need of emotional regulation. By using this word, everyone respects the situation, turning off the music and engaging in open dialogue.