Dr. Dale Atkins on Healing Trauma and Grandparent Grief 🦋
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Dear Family, Last week, we talked about the "Warrior Heart" with Rachel Fulginiti—the decision to step into the fire for our grandchildren. But once we are in that fire, we often realize we are carrying two heavy burdens: the trauma our grandchildren have endured and the quiet, heavy grief of the life we thought we would be living at this stage. I recently sat down with Dr. Dale Atkins, and we moved beyond the logistics of caregiving into the soul of it. We discussed how to heal the childhood trauma living in our homes while simultaneously honoring the "Grandparent Grief" we feel for our lost retirement and our original dreams. It was a conversation that reminded me that we cannot heal them if we are ignoring our own wounds. The Raw Truth: Trading the Sprint for the Sanctuary I watched them from the porch today—the blurring speed of a seven-year-old and the relentless energy of a ten-year-old. My mind said, "Go join them," but my knees, weary from 68 years of life and a cross-country move, sat me back down. A wave of shame hit me. I felt like a failing CEO—a leader who was too tired to walk the factory floor of childhood.I’ve spent so much time mourning the "Younger Laura"—the one who could have done this without a second thought. But Dr. Atkins reframed my exhaustion as a strategic asset. Children don’t need another playmate; they need a stationary point. They need to know that while their world is spinning, I am the anchor that doesn't move. My value isn't in my sprint; it’s in my roots. The "Invisible CEO" isn't the person who suppresses their grief to get the job done; it’s the person who uses their own healing to light the way for the next generation. Acknowledging your pain doesn't make you a weak leader; it makes you a safe one. Inside the Project: Episode 96 This Week’s Guest: Dr. Dale Atkins | "Healing Childhood Trauma and Grandparent Grief" In this episode, we tackle the two most "silent" issues in kinship care. Dr. Atkins explains how childhood trauma manifests in the "Second Cradle" and offers tactical ways to help a child's nervous system feel safe again. We also dive into "Grandparent Grief"—the complex emotion of loving the child but mourning the loss of your own freedom. [🎧 LISTEN TO EPISODE #96: Dr. Dale Atkins] The Reflection RoomDr. Atkins spoke about the "Turquoise Butterfly"—a symbol of transformation through struggle. Ask yourself today: In my rush to heal my grandchild's trauma, have I forgotten to tend to my own grief? Am I trying to pour from an empty cup, or am I allowing myself the space to say, "This is hard, and it’s okay to miss my old life"? The Toolbox: Tactical Moves
You are the keeper of the future, and your healing is the greatest gift you can give them. We are 2.7 million strong. Still nurturing, and still here. See you in the next boardroom, Laura Brazan Founder, The 2.7 Million Project/Host of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity |
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