In a profoundly moving return to her podcast, Kelsey Parker has opened up about the raw and heartbreaking conversations she's having with her six-year-old daughter Aurelia about death, following the tragic loss of father Tom Parker.
The 33-year-old widow, whose husband Tom of The Wanted fame died from brain cancer in March 2022, revealed how their young daughter is grappling with complex emotions about mortality.
'When Are You Going To Die?' - A Child's Innocent Yet Painful Question
"Aurelia comes out with things like, 'When are you going to die?'" Kelsey shared emotionally during the recording. "She's six and she's asking me these questions, and I'm like, 'Well, I hope not for a really long time.'"
These difficult discussions highlight the ongoing challenges the family faces as they navigate life without Tom, who was just 33 years old when he passed away after a courageous battle with glioblastoma.
Navigating Grief as a Young Family
Kelsey explained how she's learning to handle these emotionally charged moments with honesty and compassion, while also protecting her children's innocence. The mother-of-two also shares son Bodhi, three, with her late husband.
"It's really hard because you don't want them to worry," she confessed, her voice filled with emotion. "But at the same time, I have to be honest with them."
Remembering Their Angel Baby
The poignant podcast episode also marked another significant and painful anniversary for Kelsey - the stillbirth of their baby at 16 weeks gestation.
Speaking through tears, Kelsey recalled the traumatic experience: "It would have been our baby's birthday. I was 16 weeks pregnant when I lost the baby."
She described how she'd visited the hospital for a routine scan, only to receive the devastating news that would change their lives forever.
Finding Strength in Vulnerability
Kelsey's return to podcasting represents her commitment to being open about the realities of grief, loss, and parenting through unimaginable circumstances.
Her honest account of how grief manifests differently in children provides a valuable insight for other families experiencing similar losses, while her discussion of baby loss breaks important taboos around the subject.
Through sharing these deeply personal experiences, Kelsey continues to honour Tom's memory while helping others feel less alone in their own grief journeys.
