Understanding January Grief as a Parent of an LGBTQ Child

Understanding January Grief as a Parent of an LGBTQ Child

Author: Heather Hester | Advocate for Parents of LGBTQ Teens January 27, 2026 Duration: 19:39

Are you ready to move through the heaviness so you can connect and communicate with your LGBTQ+ child? Let's have a discovery call to see if working together is the right fit!

Click Here!

Does the start of a new year feel heavy instead of hopeful? Are you tired, overwhelmed, or carrying a kind of sadness you can't quite name? If you're a parent of an LGBTQ+ teen, this episode is your reminder that nothing is wrong with you, your body, your mind, and your heart are simply asking to be heard.

In today’s deeply grounding episode of More Human, More Kind, Heather Hester gently explores the emotional aftermath of the holidays and why so many parents, especially those parenting LGBTQ+ kids, feel grief instead of motivation in January.

You’ll learn:

  1. Why grief and hope can coexist (and must)
  2. How mental health is impacted by unacknowledged stress and survival mode
  3. What January grief really looks and feels like (hint: it’s not always tears)
  4. Why emotional support for parents is essential, not optional
  5. Five simple, research-backed practices to help you feel lighter

This isn’t about pushing through or forcing joy. It’s about understanding the very real mental and emotional cost of caregiving, advocacy, and parenting LGBTQ+ teens in a world that often asks too much.

Heather offers a message of healing, empathy, and deep parental self-trust, helping you move from silent bracing to honest presence.

Listen now to validate your experience and learn one small shift that can lighten your emotional load.

Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!

Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? Download my free guide to take you from Panic to Plan.

Join a private community with other parents and allies just like you!

Stay informed - receive my newsletter

Invite me to speak at your workshop or event

Read my book, Parenting with Pride.

Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!

Connect heather@heatherhester.net

Buy Me A Coffee

Watch on YouTube

Listen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!

At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and grow their capacity for courageous, compassionate connection.

For parents, allies, and those pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action.

Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in, I see you. And I’m so glad you’re part of this journey.

More Human. More Kind. formerly Just Breathe: Parenting Your LGBTQ Teen is a safe and supportive podcast in a heartfelt and empowering space where a mom and advocate offers practical guidance and education to parents and allies, fostering empathy, kindness, love, and strong boundaries while supporting LGBTQ teens and the diverse LGBTQ community—including gay, lesiban, bisexual, trans, transgender, and queer individuals—through conversations about mental health, grief, gender identity, sexual orientation, human rights, social justice, parenting, parent support, and meaningful LGBTQ allyship and allyship in action.



This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

Podscribe - https://podscribe.com/privacy

Heather Hester understands the complex mix of emotions that can arise when a child comes out. Her work, including the book *Parenting with Pride*, has been a lifeline for many, and that same grounded, compassionate guidance is the heart of More Human More Kind: Guidance for Parents & Allies of LGBTQ Teens. This isn't about quick fixes or theoretical debates; it's a practical, twice-weekly conversation for anyone who wants to move from a place of uncertainty or worry toward genuine understanding and active support. You'll hear from Heather directly, as she shares insights and strategies drawn from both personal experience and her extensive work with families. The discussions in this podcast are designed to meet you where you are, whether you're navigating new pronouns, fostering resilience in your teen, or learning how to advocate effectively in your wider community. Episodes tackle real-world questions, from family dynamics and mental health to building inclusive spaces, always with an emphasis on connection over correction. Tuning in feels like getting thoughtful advice from a trusted friend who knows the path can be challenging but is always hopeful. The goal is to help you replace fear with clarity and confusion with confident love, ultimately strengthening your relationship with your child. If you're seeking a resource that honors your journey while providing actionable steps forward, this podcast offers a steady, kind-hearted companion for the road ahead.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

More Human More Kind: Allyship Guidance for Parents of LGBTQ Teens
Podcast Episodes
The Hardest Pride Conversations Aren’t With Your LGBTQ Teen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:47
Learn more about the Kindred Collective CommunityWhat happens when parents have different comfort levels, beliefs, or timelines around Pride and LGBTQ support?For many parents of LGBTQ teens, Pride season can bring under…
The Ultimate Pride Checklist for Parents of LGBTQ Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:38
Learn more about the Kindred Collective CommunityAre you wondering how to help your LGBTQ teen enjoy Pride safely without turning every conversation into a lecture?Pride events can be joyful, affirming, and life-changing…
Helping LGBTQ Kids Stay Safe At Pride Events (Without Scaring Them!) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:22
Learn more about the Kindred Collective CommunityHow do you talk to your LGBTQ teen about staying safe at Pride events without making them afraid to attend?Many parents want their LGBTQ teens to experience the joy, conne…
Shame and Survival | How Queer Healing Transforms Parenting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:59
What happens when someone spends decades surviving instead of truly living?In this deeply moving conversation, Heather sits down with queer figure skater, advocate, father, and podcast host Stef Vachon to talk about sham…
Reconnect After Hard Conversations | LGBTQ Teen Allyship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:14
Download Panic to Plan HereWhat if you already got it wrong with your child… or you’re terrified you’ll say the wrong thing next?In this episode of More Human. More Kind., Heather Hester explores two of the biggest fears…
Breaking the Silence: How Parents Can Support LGBTQ Teens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:13
Join me on Substack for more tools to stay human in a complicated world. What if the most powerful way to support your LGBTQ child isn’t a perfect response, but one honest sentence?In this episode, Heather Hester explore…