Blog

We Were Created for Community

Mary Ellen Collins, PhD | July 8, 2026

There is something deep within every human heart that longs to belong. We were never created to carry life’s burdens . . . Read More

We Are Your Raincoat in the Storm

Mary Ellen Collins, PhD | August 20, 2025

Hi, I’m Mary Ellen Collins, PhD. I’m the Founder and Board Chair of the Motherless Daughters Ministry. I started this . . . Read More

10 Tips for Coping with a Narcissistic Mother: How to Protect Your Peace and Reclaim Yourself

Mary Ellen Collins, PhD. | August 6, 2025

Let’s be real for a second—growing up with a narcissistic mother is complicated. It messes with your head, your heart, . . . Read More

Peeling Back the Layers

The Podcast team | July 18, 2025

Healing from the impact of loss is a major focus of the Motherless Daughters Ministry offerings. It requires work that . . . Read More

Journey of Healing part 1

The Podcast team | May 23, 2025

Healing from the impact of loss is truly a journey. There is no destination when it comes to  grief. Every . . . Read More

Journey Retreat Testimonials

Sarah Lynn Wells | April 25, 2025

Voices of experience are the best ones to share information about “The Journey Retreat.” Our flagship offering is designed to . . . Read More

Navigating Relational Conflict

The Podcast Team | July 5, 2024

How we were raised has such a big influence on our relationships even into adulthood. For motherless daughters who experienced . . . Read More

Learning to Forgive

The Podcast Team | February 16, 2024

Being hurt by those you look to for nurturing and support is most painful. It is challenging to continue hoping . . . Read More

Cultivating Thankfulness That Can’t Be Erased

Sarah Lynn Wells | November 24, 2023

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, this episode is focused on gratitude. Both God’s word and psychology point to the significant . . . Read More

Finding Home

Sarah Accoridino | August 2, 2023

On December 18, 1997 my mother, a mother of 5 children including myself, was driving home when someone ran a . . . Read More

To the Girl Who Had to Grow Up Too Fast

Shyanne Dorrity | July 19, 2023

This is a letter to the girl who had to grow up too fast. To the girl who watched her . . . Read More

Season of Searching

C.A. Bleu | December 7, 2022

Winter has a way of revealing. After the beauty of Fall, when the colors of gratitude fade, we find the . . . Read More

Earnest Enough to be Honest

Lovely Marie | November 30, 2022

In prayer this morning thanking God for peace. I ask Him to deliver me, use me, try me or even . . . Read More

Create a Family Thanksgiving: Starting a New Tradition in the Face of Loss

Mary Ellen Collins | November 23, 2022

I want to talk to you about celebrating holidays. And really what we have to do as motherless daughters is . . . Read More

I’m Fine, You’re Fine, We’re All Fine! 

C. A. Bleu | August 31, 2022

I like to write, as you can tell, but its hard to write about painful things. Things we all keep . . . Read More

Before You Roll Your Eyes Daughter

Amanda Loduca | September 8, 2021

Oh, my girl. If only you could know someday how many times I stare at the video monitor after you’re . . . Read More

When You Have No Friends

Kristin Mitchener | December 20, 2020

I look around me, and I see no friends. No shopping buddies, coffee dates or spa partners. I have my . . . Read More

A New Look at 2019 Goals - It's All About Me!

March 17, 2019

By: Mary Ellen Collins I think the New Year really starts in March.  They changed the calendar; did you get . . . Read More

A Difficult Opportunity

Heather Wolper | October 28, 2018

By: Heather Wolper My doorbell rang on Friday. I had sick kids at home and I was still wearing the . . . Read More

My Sister: My Gift During a Year of Loss

January 14, 2018

By: Christine Fishel When it struck 12:01 am on January 1, 2018, many people were celebrating the start of a . . . Read More

I've Been Triggered

August 20, 2017

By: Mary Ellen Collins “I CAN SPEAK FOR MYSELF,” creeps into my brain whenever I am interrupted or they attempt . . . Read More

Welcome to The Club

Mary Ellen Collins | March 5, 2017

When you lose a mother, you become a member of the Motherless Daughters Club, a club no one wants to . . . Read More

Moving On

Thelesia Wynter | May 29, 2016

It was once easy to write about my feelings of mother loss. I’m finding it harder these days as my . . . Read More

My Story

Tia Wilson | April 3, 2016

I turned 26 this past June. I still have very vivid memories as a 9 year old girl. Insecure. Broken. . . . Read More

Changing the Mother-Daughter Relationship

March 21, 2016

By: Christine Fishel I just saw the movie Still Alice for the second time. I was filled with a strange . . . Read More

I Resolve to Release Myself From Bitterness

February 15, 2016

By: Christine Fishel I’m learning something new on this road to forgiveness: Bitterness is a giant stumbling block, a fallen . . . Read More

Dear You,

Thelesia Wynter | February 11, 2016

Dear you, It’s been five years since we broke up.  I know you’ve moved on and so have I but . . . Read More

Descendants: A Daughter’s Search for Identity

January 24, 2016

By: Christine Fishel A snow day is a perfect family movie day. My family and I used the snow day . . . Read More

How Do I Handle My Fear of My Mom Rejecting Me?

December 27, 2015

By: Anonymous I just had shoulder surgery. It requires 4 weeks of recovery in a sling and physical therapy.  I . . . Read More

Family Drama in the Movie Home For the Holidays

December 20, 2015

By: Christine Fishel “When you go home, do you look around and go, ‘Who are these people? Where did I . . . Read More

Do I Have to Do That? The Pressure of Carrying on Traditions

November 18, 2015

By: Christine Fishel I just threw out great Aunt Alice’s African violet. It was almost dead, but a part of . . . Read More

What About Me?

Chris Fishel | November 9, 2015

Around this time of year, when I want to focus on thankfulness and giving, I find myself harboring feelings of . . . Read More

What About My Father?

Kris Fisher | September 13, 2015

“You’re a good good father. It’s who you are…. I’m loved by you. It’s who I am.” The first time . . . Read More

I Want Candy!

Christine Fishel | September 2, 2015

I have temper tantrums. They don’t look like the ones my young children have, but they are most certainly temper . . . Read More

Peeling Back The Layers

Christine Fishel | August 13, 2015

We needed new flooring in our family room. Off-white carpet had existed in this room that is mostly used as . . . Read More

Revisiting Relationship Expectations

July 19, 2015

By: Christine Fishel I have a new friend whose mom passed away last year. “I miss her a lot,” my . . . Read More

Connecting with my Daughters Through Bible Study

Christine Fishel | June 22, 2015

I have always fretted about the right way to mother my two girls. We came into each other’s lives with . . . Read More

Accept the Gratitude

Judy Roll | May 29, 2015

My mother loss was an emotional loss because of family illness or dramatic circumstances that kept my mom emotionally unavailable . . . Read More

Tell Them What They've Done

Christine Fishel | May 24, 2015

I made my friend cry. She’s tough as nails, so it caught me off guard. I had written a short . . . Read More

Talk To Me

Kris Fisher | May 13, 2015

My eleven year-old daughter and I spent a recent Sunday afternoon in a local laser tag facility. We were on . . . Read More