Motherless Mothers Monthly Meetup

Raising kids hits differently as a motherless mother. This monthly gathering offers a way for moms to connect and find support.

Motherless Mothers Monthly Meetup

Losing a mom creates a deep vacancy in your heart and soul that cannot be filled. Raising kids as a mother without your own mother to guide you is a difficult and lonely experience. There’s often so many experiences and moments– especially in those early months and years– that you yearn to share with your mom, situations you want to consult her on, or times you just need a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

Parenthood in the wake of losing your mother can be very isolating, as many other parents don’t understand what you’re feeling or experiencing. But you are not alone.

Facilitated by Grief and Loss coaches Krista Kirkpatrick-Hatch and Kim Watts, the Motherless Mothers Monthly Meetup aims to connect motherless mothers to build a supportive network of people who understand you’re at– because they’ve been there, too.

Date and Time: The second Sunday of each month at 1:00 PM (Mountain Daylight Time)

Location: In person (Gathering Grounds Coffee Co, #7-390 Northmount Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2K 3H5)

*Please note: this gathering is not meant to provide formal coaching or counselling services to participants. It is simply a way to connect motherless mothers with one another. If you are in need of mental health support, please reach out to a professional. If you are in crisis, please reach out to the Distress Centre.

More about the facilitator, Krista:

Krista Kirkpatrick-Hatch (she/her) is a grief and loss coach, artist, and postpartum doula living on the traditional lands of the Treaty 7 peoples in Moh’kinstsis. Krista is no stranger to grief and loss. Throughout her life, Krista has experienced the loss of her parents, grandparents, best friend, clients she supported in a professional capacity, and pets. Krista has also traversed the realm of lesser-recognized forms of grief, such as becoming a mother, leaving a career she loved after over a decade of service, navigating chronic pain issues, and managing relationships with loved ones with additions.

Krista navigated and continues to navigate parenthood without her parents; her mom, biological dad, and stepdad all passed away before getting to meet her daughter and stepsons. This is something Krista continues to struggle with from time-to-time, especially around major milestones and significant dates and holidays. As a doula, Krista will at times cross paths with moms who are also navigating parenthood without their own mothers. She recognized that support in this area is so needed for mothers in this situation, which inspired the creation of this event and the work she does as a grief and loss coach.

For more information on Krista and her practice, please go to: www.liminalwisdom.ca or find her on Instagram @liminalwisdomcoaching There is no actual “agenda” for the event. A section of the cafe will be reserved exclusively for our group. The organizers will provide each attendee with a name tag, guidelines for respect and confidentiality, and icebreaker-type questions that may be helpful to start conversations with the other attendees. Grab a drink or snack, find a seat or mingle with others. Conversations can be 1-on-1, as a small group, or you can come to listen. There is no pressure or expectation to share your story if you that doesn’t feel comfortable to you. The organizers will be there to chat with as well.

FAQs

Who can attend this event?

Anyone who identifies as a mother who has either lost or has an estranged/strained relationship with their own mother figure will find this meetup useful. This can also include folks who: are trying to conceive, have fertility challenges, have lost a pregnancy, baby, or child, etc.

Will this event be held in the same venue each time?

Folks have expressed that they live far from the current venue and can’t travel in due to distance or relying on public transit. For now, we will be hosting the monthly meetings in the same venue for consistency, but the organizers hear you and will be considering other options for accessibility!

I can’t make an online donation but want to contribute… how can I do this?

Thank you so much for wanting to make a donation! The organizers will also accept in-person donations. securing your ticket, bypass the cost by inputting “0” for the donation amount and bring some cash you attend.

I want to attend but I don’t have childcare… what can I do?

Babes-in-arms and children are welcome, however there will be no toys/distractions at the event. If you feel/know your child(ren) will be disruptive, it may be best to come to a later event, as we want to be mindful of the other patrons. Please use your best judgment for this situation.

I need more support than what a casual group can provide… what are my options?

Some ideas for additional, in depth support can include: seeing a counsellor or psychologist, joining a formal support group through an organization (eg: AHS, Mamas for Mamas, PILSC), or connecting with a grief and loss coach. The organizers will have a list of resources available on request.