The Mother Chapter from Mila & Jo Media
“Motherhood Identity Series with Jenny Robinson Clark on Mothering Without a Mother”
In a recent feature for The Motherhood Identity Series, Jenny Robinson Clark reflects on how motherhood and the passing of her own mother reshaped her understanding of presence, ambition, and love.
Once immersed in performance and creative achievement, Jenny shares how becoming a mother softened her perspective and redefined success. As a mother of four and the wife of a touring musician, she now centers her life around purpose and meaning rooted in faith, emotional honesty, and connection.
Surprisingly, grief brought her closer to her children through big emotions, tough conversations, deeper understanding, and profound grace.
Are You Here? is a rare children’s book that gently invites families to talk about death, faith, and the invisible threads that connect us beyond physical presence.
Selected Quotes:
On the life-altering loss of her mother:
“Grief softened my heart and made me realize how fleeting this life truly is. It taught me to slow down, to be more patient, to parent with grace and understanding, and to really sit and listen to my children. It shifted my priorities toward creating meaningful moments and special memories with them.”
On discussing death and loss with children:
“When we speak honestly with kids early on, we help prevent the emotional confusion and fear that can grow in silence.”
On their non-traditional home life:
“We love being together, we homeschool, co-sleep, cook meals together, and travel spontaneously when we feel like it. It keeps it exciting and fun.”
On reframing grief:
“Grief gave me this new purpose that I never expected. If you asked me if I ever thought I would write a children’s book I would’ve said no way.”
On how she hopes to be remembered:
“That I was a loving and kind mom, that I tried my best and had the courage to follow my dreams.”
On emotional honesty:
“If you are giving yourself the time to feel your emotions you are doing it right, don’t hide it, talk to your kids about how you’re feeling, they are usually so understanding and supportive.”
Read the full conversation to explore how absence can deepen presence and transform the way we show up for the people we love most.
The Mother Chapter from Mila & Jo Media is a website and community dedicated to helping moms navigate, cope, connect, share and thrive in their postpartum identity.
