This Christmas, I’m Not Trying to Get Back, I’m Learning to Pause

This Christmas reflection explores grief, solitude, and the quiet exhaustion of trying to get back to a life that no longer exists. Instead of pushing forward, it invites a pause — trusting that life still moves even when we loosen our grip. A compassionate, grounded piece about letting go, presence, and redefining what the season asks of us now.

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This Is for the Parents Who Are Tired of Pretending They’re Fine

Many parents of struggling teens quietly say “I’m fine” when they’re anything but. After listening to thousands of parents carrying fear, shame, and loneliness, this piece explains why the MentorWell Parent Circle exists: a safe, judgment-free space where parents don’t have to explain themselves, fix anything, or carry it alone—just show up as they are.

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Why December Breaks So Many Teens, And a Daily Ritual That Can Hold Them Together

December quietly overwhelms many teens: exams, disrupted routines, social pressure, grief, and family stress collide. When teens go quiet, they don’t need space; they need steadier presence. This piece explains why December hits so hard and offers one simple daily ritual, a predictable check-in, that can help teens feel anchored, supported, and less alone.

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Is It Okay to Talk About Their Child at Christmas? (Yes, Here’s How)

Many people fear mentioning a child who has died, especially at Christmas. From a parent’s lived experience, this piece explains why saying a child’s name doesn’t cause pain—it honours love. With simple, compassionate examples of what to say (and what silence can cost), this article offers gentle guidance for supporting grieving parents during the holidays.

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Grief Wasn’t the Enemy. My Resistance to It Was.

After ten years of living with profound loss, I learned that grief was never the enemy. My resistance to it was. This reflection explores how grief transforms when we stop trying to control it and begin to live alongside it, revealing clarity, presence, compassion, and a quieter kind of strength. A hopeful reframe for parents, caregivers, and anyone carrying loss.

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To the Parent Who Feels Like They’re Failing: You’re Not Alone

A heartfelt message for parents who feel like they’re failing as they navigate a teen’s emotional struggles. This piece reframes doubt into connection, reminding parents that presence—not perfection—is what matters. It offers foresight, hope, and community through the MentorWell Parent Circle for those feeling alone.

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You’re Not a Bad Parent. You’re Just Doing It Alone

Parents aren’t failing, they’re isolated. The MentorWell Parent Circle offers a safe, international community where parents of teens can share stories, ask questions, and feel supported beyond workshops. A place to breathe, connect, and remember you don’t have to do this alone.

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What Teens Wish You Knew: The Hidden Cost of Divorce on Kids Who Say Nothing

Curious and worried, I asked MentorWell’s TeenSpeak how teens really feel about divorce—and the answer shocked me. Teens often hide deep pain behind "I'm fine," carrying silent struggles parents might miss. Healing starts with connection, and sometimes the bravest step is seeking outside support.

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10 Things Teens Wish Their Parents Knew (But Rarely Say Out Loud)

Teens want emotional safety, calm presence, and connection more than advice or pressure. This article shares ten things teens often wish parents understood, plus the common parental habits that unintentionally create distance. With gentle foresight and practical support, families can slow down, listen fully, and rebuild connection.

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5 Quiet Cries for Help I Missed, and What Every Parent Should Know

Teens rarely show obvious distress. Their early cries for help appear as small shifts—short answers, irritability, isolation, sleep changes, and losing interest in what they love. This article helps parents spot these signs sooner and respond with steady, hopeful presence. MentorWell offers support for teens who need a neutral, trusted adult.

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If You Lead People, You Lead Parents, And 1 in 4 Are Quietly Struggling

Parents don’t leave their home life at the door. When a child struggles, work performance, focus, and wellbeing shift fast. One in four parents is quietly carrying more than they can manage alone. This article shows leaders why early support matters—and how LifeLine Parent Workshops protect families and workplaces before things turn heavy.

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Parenting Out Loud: The Questions We’re All Afraid to Ask

Parents aren’t failing—they’re overwhelmed, uncertain, and trying their best. This article answers the 24 questions parents ask most about their teens, with steady guidance, early warning signs, and practical next steps drawn from lived experience. A hopeful, human roadmap to help families connect sooner and with more confidence.

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grief support, parenting, mental-health, compassion Chris Coulter grief support, parenting, mental-health, compassion Chris Coulter

You May Think It’s Just a Photo, But for a Grieving Parent, It’s Everything

A heartfelt reflection on why photos and memories matter so deeply to grieving parents. This piece reframes loss into gentle foresight, reminding readers that simple gestures—sharing a photo, a moment, a memory—offer profound connection. A warm, hopeful invitation to reach out, honour, and keep loved ones present in small, meaningful ways.

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If You Want Your Teen to Open Up, Sit Beside Them, Not Across From Them

Teens open up when moments feel natural, not serious. This article explains why side-by-side conversations—driving, walking, cooking—build trust faster than face-to-face talks. With warm stories about Maddie and practical insights for parents, it offers hopeful, doable ways to reduce pressure and increase honesty at home.

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The Day I Realized Love Could Not Save My Child

A raw, hopeful reflection on the moment a parent realizes that love alone cannot save a struggling child. Through Maddie’s story, this piece highlights what teens need beyond reassurance: connection, calm, and another steady adult. A compassionate call for early support and a reminder that parents do not have to navigate these moments alone.

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The Darkest Season of My Life Became the Work I Was Meant to Do

A deeply human reflection on how the darkest season of life became the work you were meant to do. This piece traces the journey from early honesty about mental health to losing Maddie, grieving forward, and building MentorWell with compassion and purpose. It offers grounded hope, gentle guidance, and one clear reminder: small steps and support matter more than perfection.

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Chris Coulter Chris Coulter

How Can It Be So Dark Even on the Sunniest Days?

Even on the sunniest days, life can feel unbearably dark. This personal reflection explores how depression shows up, how recovery rarely moves in straight lines, and the small, steady actions that help us find our way back. A hopeful, human reminder that change is possible, support matters, and purpose can return one quiet step at a time.

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You Can’t Fix Company Culture Without Psychological Safety. It Starts With Empathy at the Top

Culture doesn’t shift because you announce it. It shifts when leaders model empathy and create psychological safety, especially for working parents carrying unseen emotional loads. This article shows how trust grows through consistent behaviour, presence, and support—and why empathy is the catalyst for meaningful cultural change.

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The Unspoken Crisis That’s Breaking Your Best People

A quiet crisis is unfolding in today’s workplaces: parents carrying the weight of a child’s mental health struggle. LifeLine Workshops give them clarity, language, and calm when they need it most. This isn’t about benefits—it’s about supporting parents so teams can stabilize, perform, and feel human again.

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You Do Not Need To Be Strong Every Day

Grief, stress, and emotional swings don’t mean you’re failing—they mean you’re human. This piece reminds parents and caregivers that honesty matters more than strength, and that teens learn emotional habits from us. MentorWell offers steady, calm support so teens can speak openly before things become heavy. A hopeful, practical reflection on presence over perfection.

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