Resilient Moms: Hope, Healing & Living After Loss

Parenting doesn’t end when your child turns 18—it simply changes. In this deeply honest and heartfelt episode of Female Voices: Life & Loss, hosts Wayna Berry and Teresa Reiniger unpack the emotional, often unspoken realities of parenting adult children—from college drop-offs and strained communication to breaking generational patterns, letting go, and learning how to stay connected without controlling. Through personal stories, laughter, and vulnerable reflection, this episode explores how parenting evolves through every season: college years, adulthood, marriage, grandchildren,blended families, and the ongoing work of healing what was modeled before us. If you’ve ever wondered “Am I doing this right?”—this conversation is for you. Wayna Berry, licensed professional counselor and co-host of Female Voices: Life & Loss, brings clinical insight, humor, and real-life experience as a single mother navigating the evolvingrelationship with her adult son. Teresa Reiniger, grief coach, speaker, and co-host, shares her lived experience raising three daughters through every life stage—from college transitions to marriage and motherhood—while intentionally breaking generational cycles and modeling healthier emotional patterns. Together, they create a space where honesty meets compassion—and where growth is alwayspossible. Topics Discussed ● Parenting through the emotional shift from high school to college ● How adult children pull away—and why it’s often necessary ● Breaking generational patterns (yelling, emotional distance, lack of support) ● Letting go while still offering guidance and support ● Navigating pride, embarrassment, and celebration as parents ● Parenting adult children who are now parenting their own kids ● Communication vs. control in adult parent-child relationships ● Blended family dynamics and co-parenting challenges ✨ Key Takeaways ● Parenting never stops, but the role must evolve ● Awareness is the first step to breaking generational cycles ● Yelling may release stress—but it can shrink a child’s spirit ● Communication builds bridges where control creates distance ● You can parent differently than how you were raised ● Grace—for yourself and your children—is essential in every season 💬 Memorable Quotes -“Parenting has never stopped—it just keeps changing.”— Teresa Reiniger -“It took me twice as long to build him back up as it did to tear him down.” — Wayna Berry -“Just because it’s how it’s always been done doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.” — Teresa Reiniger -“Awareness creates the opportunity for change.” — Teresa Reiniger -“I didn’t want my child to shrink—I wanted him to stand strong.” — Teresa Reiniger -“Parenting adult children is a delicate dance.” — Wayna Berry 🔔 Call to Action If this episode resonated with you, share it with a parent who’s navigating adult children, or leave a review on Spotify to help more families find these conversations. DM us or tag us on social media: ● How has your relationship with your child changed over time? ● What generational patterns are you intentionally breaking? 📷 Bonus We LOVE pictures—grandbabies, adult kids, family moments. Share them with us! 💖 JOIN THE CONVERSATION 📩 Email: femalevoiceslifelosspodcast@gmail.com 📘 Facebook: Female Voices: Life & Loss Podcast 📸 Instagram: @femalevoiceslifelosspodcast 🎵 TikTok: @femalevoiceslifeloss 🔔 Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more women feel seen, supported, and less alone.