MOTHERLESS DAUGHTERS RETREATS
One-of-a-kind healing weekends for women
who lost moms when they were young
With Hope Edelman, author of Motherless Daughters, and experienced co-facilitators
EARLY LOSS RETREAT
For women who were up to 18 at the time of loss.
March 20 - 23, 2025 in Topanga Canyon, CA
“Aren’t you over it yet?”
How many of us have heard this question, or asked it of ourselves?
But losing a mom sets you on a different course from other daughters.
That journey is a lifelong one.
We don’t ever “get over” it. We learn to adjust and adapt.
At our retreats, you’ll be surrounded by women who get it.
Sitting in a room of other women who understand your innermost triumphs, challenges and fears is a profound experience. Women describe these weekends as life-changing.
For the first time, they didn’t feel so alone.
At a Motherless Daughters Retreat, you'll be listened to and supported. Your story, your thoughts, and your feelings will be received with curiosity and compassion by others who understand what it means to be navigating adulthood without your mom.
In our circles, you’ll also hear about new ways to stay connected to your mom after her death and to honor her life, legacy, and the relationship you shared.
Will you learn something new? We hope so! I’ll share 30 years of research and experience to help you understand why you may think, feel, and behave the way you do. Self-knowledge and self-compassion are pretty much inevitable outcomes of our time together.
Will you feel validated and accepted? Definitely! Women arrive as familiar strangers, and leave feeling like part of a new sisterhood. Our retreat groups stay in touch long after the weekend, offering ongoing support and validation.
Will you cry? Probably. The circle holds space for whatever you’re feeling, as it comes up. We welcome tears. They’re an important form of emotional release. (And we always have plenty of tissues on hand.)
Will you feel overwhelmed? Maybe. We’re being totally honest here. If you haven’t talked much about losing your mom before or about its aftereffects, you may need breaks from time to time. That’s why we have several hours off on Day Two and Day Three, to give you time to unwind, recharge, or have fun on your own or with new friends. And you’re encouraged to take breaks whenever you need to. We support this as a form of self-care. This weekend is about nurturing YOU.
Will you laugh? Yes. A lot! More than anyone usually expects from a grief retreat. Its important to add levity to gravity. Who wants to spend four days feeling sad? Participants share a lot of the same dark humor, and it’s okay to let it rip.
Come as you are. We’ll meet you there.
Women tell us that a Motherless Daughters Retreat is a life-changing experience. But don’t just take our word for it! The women in the video below all participated in past retreats. They’re part of a generous, welcoming sisterhood you’ll be part of from the first moment you arrive. These are messages they recorded just for you.
How old were you when your mom died?
We’re asking because age at time of loss matters. A lot.
That’s because the challenges a daughters faces at each developmental stage are so different. We honor that and help you connect with others who’ve faced similar challenges.
This is why our programs and activities are always tailored to the makeup of each group. We’ll often do breakout activities with small groups of women who lost moms at the same age — for example, 12 and under, teenagers, young adults.
What did your mom die from?
The cause of loss affects a daughter’s grief experience, too.
Typically, our retreats break down to 2/3 daughters who lost moms to long-term illnesses, and 1/3 who lost moms to a sudden form of death That tracks with demographic data about the leading causes of death among women who were our moms ages.
Sometimes we see clusters around specific types of loss in a retreat group, like several women who lost moms to suicide, or a group who lost their moms in an accident. We might do a special breakout activities for these daughters, too.
It all depends on who signs up for each retreat, since our programming changes to match the needs of each group. And every group is so unique!
Rest assured, whatever retreat group you sign up for is the right one for YOU. We can’t explain how this happens, but it’s what women report back. You somehow know how to find each other. It’s a very special kind of magic. You’ll see what we mean!
All retreats include:
Customized activities and discussions based on your retreat group’s specific needs;
Three nights’ accommodations (Connecticut and UK retreats only; group hotel rate available in Iowa City);
Catered, healthy, buffet-style meals;
All workshop materials, including activities you won’t find anywhere else;
Guidance and attention to your unique story from international experts in early mother loss, including Hope Edelman, author of Motherless Daughters and Motherless Mothers;
Lots of opportunities to share your story (or to just listen, if you want!)
A gift bag upon arrival;
Access to a private Facebook group for pre-retreat support;
Access to a private WhatsApp group for post-retreat support;
A follow-up group conference call;
Optional access to a continuation program for 6 months of continued contact (we’ll never let you leave unsupported!);
A lifetime 10% discount on all future Motherless Daughters ONLINE offerings (weekly support Community Calls, online courses, and writing programs);
A group of women who will become your support network and soul sisters long after the weekend ends.
PLEASE NOTE: At least two years need to have elapsed since the time of your mother’s death to best meet your bereavement needs. Participants must be 18 years or older at the time of retreat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A Motherless Daughter Retreat is a powerful and often life-changing event. We've compiled this detailed FAQ to answer common questions participants have before and after registration. If your question is not covered here, please contact us at info@hopeedelman.com.