When I left my first marriage, my children and I were all carrying invisible scars. The home we lived in had been filled with fear, silence, and confusion. I knew I wanted something different for them and for me. But I also knew that healing wasn’t going to happen on its own. So I created what we started calling our “family therapy room”, just a quiet space with pillows, blankets, and no judgment. It became the one place where we could all sit together, breathe, cry, talk, or just be. As a mom, I didn’t have all the answers, but I had the willingness to listen and show up emotionally. Over time, I learned how to speak to my kids in ways that made them feel heard, not pressured. I worked through my own pain in therapy, and shared pieces of that healing with them in ways that were age-appropriate. I learned how to apologize, how to validate their feelings, and how to co-create trust even after hard experiences. My goal wasn’t to be perfect. It was to be safe, real, and open. I believe we can break cycles by teaching our children how to feel and speak their truths. If you’re navigating life after family trauma and want to support your children emotionally, I’d love to share what worked for me and walk with you as you figure out what will work for your family.