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Grief support for mothers

If you are navigating the complex emotions of grief and ambiguous loss as a mother whose children are parented by others, no matter the circumstances, you are not alone, and you are in the right place at Bellis.

Get started with Bellis today. Click here to complete this brief form. You’ll hear from us shortly. All services are available to participants at no cost.

To talk with someone soon, call or text our Stronger Together Support Line™ at 833-4BELLIS (833-423-5547).

Please note: men and women whose children are parented by others participate in separate groups, organized by gender identity. All services are available to participants at no cost.

“Your kindness has helped heal some wounds within myself. Thank you.” -Bellis participant

Our approach

Expert-led, peer-based support can be one of the most effective ways to learn to manage grief felt by people whose children are parented by others. Participants in Bellis support groups often report feeling calmer, more supported, empowered, and less alone and ashamed. These benefits can lead to stronger self-worth and self-advocacy, improving the individual’s life, family interactions, employment, and other factors.

Bellis hosts weekly support groups, independent from the county and court systems. Facilitated by licensed professionals, our groups offer a safe space for honest conversations, affirmation, and accountability among mothers who “get it.” Our Stronger Together Peer Support Model™ serves a growing national network of parents.

We are a community that hears, validates, and supports your unique story.

The Details

Bellis groups offer support to mothers whose children are parented by others due to the termination or transfer of parental rights - or similar circumstances. Participants come with a wide range of experiences, but they share a common ground in their grief and the journey to move forward without parenting some or all of their children.

Each Monday morning, Bellis sends an email to everyone who has contacted us. The email includes all the necessary information to attend any of our groups. There is no cost to attend. To receive emails, please complete this brief form.

In-Person Groups

  • Tuesday morning at 10:00-11:30 AM at 3249 Hennepin Ave. S., Suite 103, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    • Please note: our in-person meetings will be temporarily paused, with the final group (for now) meeting on December 17, 2024.

    • Facilitated by Kelly, this is an open group for mothers whose children are parented by others.

    • Transportation assistance is available in the Twin Cities area. Limited legal guidance is available most Tuesdays thanks to a partnership with Mitchell Hamline School of Law. We are pleased to serve cold water, hot coffee, freshly baked cookies and other snacks.

Online Groups via Zoom

  • Every Monday evening at 6:00-7:00 PM

    • Facilitated by Katie, this is an open group for mothers whose children are parented by others.

  • Every Tuesday evening at 7:00-8:00 PM

    • Facilitated by Bethany, this is an open group for mothers whose children are parented by others.

  • Every Wednesday evening at 6:00-7:00 PM

    • Facilitated by Kelly, this is an open group for mothers whose children are parented by others.

  • Every Thursday midday at 12:00-1:00 PM

    • Facilitated by Paola, this is an open group for mothers whose children are parented by others.

    • Please note: some participants in this group now have interaction with children (such as a new baby, new relationships with their children after a separation, a partner's children, etc.).

Other Important Details for Online Groups

  • Nationwide support: Bellis online support groups are available nationwide for mothers whose children are parented by others. These meetings provide a private and safe space for participants to share their stories.

  • Real-time Closed Captioning and Translation Services: Through Zoom, Bellis is proud to offer real-time closed captioning and translation services in various languages, including Spanish, to accommodate participants' needs.

  • Privacy: Please join from a private space where no children or others can hear the conversation or see other participants. Your story is safe with Bellis, and that takes teamwork.

  • Time: In a different time zone? Click here for a Time Zone Converter.

  • No eligibility requirements: Bellis groups are open to all, though it may not be suitable for everyone. Bellis support groups are not a substitute for targeted services, including therapy. Please read about the benefits and limitations of peer-based support.

  • Get started: Complete this brief form to start receiving emails with group details.


“I’m so tired of being ashamed. I want to let it go and forgive myself.” - Bellis participant

We invite you to invest in Bellis today if, like us and our supporters, this work matters to you.

What do program participants say? Click here to listen to Jessica’s story.

“In my journey over the last year, Bellis became very, very special to me, and they improved my life so much… Most of all, they gave me hope again. That was huge.”

Spread the word

We invite you to invest in Bellis today if, like us and our supporters, this work matters to you.

We are grateful to our supporters who make this valuable, groundbreaking work possible—who believe in compassion, hope and resilience for mothers. Thank you to the Sauer Family Foundation, the Medica Foundation, UCare, and the League of Catholic Women.

We invite you to invest in Bellis today if, like us and our supporters, this work matters to you.