Are you an LGBTQ+ parent, ally, or advocate feeling exhausted by the emotional and logistical weight of the holiday season?You’re not alone. Many parents and caregivers, especially those supporting LGBTQ youth, enter this time of year overwhelmed, overextended, and overstimulated, unsure how to protect their own peace while showing up for others.In this powerful solo reflection, Heather Hester invites you to rethink everything you’ve been told about self-care.Forget the candles and curated routines. This episode explores what your nervous system actually needs to feel safe, grounded, and connected, especially as an LGBTQ+ parent or ally navigating complex family dynamics, grief, or societal pressure.You’ll discover:Why traditional “self-care” often fails LGBTQ+ parents and momsHow to recognize which type of rest you really need (emotional? sensory? social?)The biological and emotional reasons this season feels harder and how to shift itHow rest, boundaries, and breathwork become tools of love, empathy, and inclusionWhat if your rest and regulation were a form of allyship?When you, as a parent or advocate, honor your limits, you create a safer emotional space for your LGBTQ child or loved one. You model softness, stability, and trust just by being more human and more kind.In this episode, Heather offers:A science-backed 1-minute breath technique to lower stress (no meditation required)A breakdown of the 4 emotional “seasons” and how to align your care with each oneA practical guide to identifying your rhythm: motion, depletion, or recoveryGentle encouragement to release perfection, guilt, and performance-based loveBreathe with us. Then take one tiny, tangible step toward true rest. Listen now and rediscover the allyship that starts within.Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here!Become a private clientAttend Friday Reflection LIVE on Substack - guided journaling and Q&AInvite me to speak at your workshop or event Receive a free excerpt and reflection guide from my book, Parenting with Pride. Share More Human. More Kind. Please subscribe, rate, and review!Connect
[email protected] on YouTubeListen to *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday!At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ+ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and foster courageous, compassionate connection.If you’re in the thick of parenting, allyship, or pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heart-warming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to...
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