Tending the Unseen – A Grief Circle For Parents – Jorinde Rapsey
A warm (online) space for parents to explore, together, the unspoken sorrow of parenting – and having been parented – in community.
Have you ever heard yourself say something to your child and thought,
“That sounded just like my mother…” or: “I swore I’d never do that.”
You’re not alone.
Many parents find themselves reacting in ways that don’t match how they want to show up. Not because they don’t care, but because old patterns and unprocessed emotions get activated under stress.
This gathering is an invitation to explore the hidden grief many parents carry:
the ways we were parented, the moments we missed, the patterns we repeat, and the versions of ourselves we hoped to be.
Most of us were never taught how to be with big feelings. We grew up learning to suppress sadness, push through pain, and “stay strong.” Now, as parents, those emotions can surface as overwhelm, guilt, numbness, or reactivity.
In this space, we slow down. We name what’s been held inside. And we begin to make room for grief. To let it move, soften, and reconnect us to ourselves and our children.
Our Innate Need To Grieve
While we live in a culture that rushes us past sorrow and pain, as humans, we have an innate need for grief – to be with ourselves and others as we move through painful emotions. Crying helps flush stress hormones and other toxins from the body, and researchers have found that it stimulates the release of oxytocin and endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good chemicals that ease both physical and emotional pain.
Grief, when allowed to flow, reconnects us to our bodies, our values and longings, to our full aliveness and our children.
Grief was never meant to be carried in isolation. When we are able to express our feelings fully, while being gently held and witnessed by others, we often find – paradoxically – that it brings us closer to joy, and the fullness of life.
Grief, fully expressed and witnessed, is a portal to love.
As humans, we are wired to grieve – and we’re meant to do it together.
[Workshop organised in the frame of Time for Empathy 2026]
When: 3 March 2026, 20:00-21:30 CET (Berlin time)
How: ONLINE on ZOOM
Language: English
Cost: Participating in the “Time for Empathy” sessions LIVE is, as always, free. However, if you would like to have access to the recordings, you are welcome to buy them – a special offer is available while registering for the event. Please note that not all workshops will be recorded.
This workshop will be RECORDED.
Not willing to be on recordings? If you do not wish to be recorded, turn off your camera and microphone for the entire duration of the session. Recorded sessions will be available for purchase. We may also use parts of the recording for marketing and publicity across various media.
Registration:
To take part in this workshop, register for the “Time for Empathy” event here: https://www.empathiceurope.com/time-for-empathy/
NOTE: Register only ONCE for the whole event and participate live in all “Time for Empathy” workshops organised between 1 and 8 March 2026.
About the trainer:
Jorinde Rapsey, Certified CNVC trainer
Originally from The Netherlands, I took a leap of faith at 18 and traveled to New Zealand for a year. There, I not only fell in love with the country but also met my partner. With a background in education and philosophy, my journey took an unexpected turn when I became a parent at 25, leading me to search for parenting support. In 2015, I discovered Nonviolent Communication (NVC), which profoundly shaped both my personal and professional life. In 2022, I co-founded Peace Talks with my colleague and friend Sally Prebble PhD, focusing on supporting parents as they navigate the challenges of family life. My greatest learning ground remains my daily life with my family, where I continue to embrace the richness of connection, vulnerability, and growth. While society often encourages us to face challenges alone, NVC has shown me the power of seeking support to nurture our inner worlds. My mission is to create safe, empathetic spaces where parents can deepen their connection with themselves and others, strengthening our capacity as parents to offer empathic support to our children.
To find out more: www.peacetalks.nz