My 10-Year-Old Niece Is Becoming Her Dead Mom's Clone 😢

Ever since we lost my sister-in-law in that car accident last spring, our family has been walking on eggshells, trying to piece our hearts back together. My brother is struggling but putting on a brave face, while their grandma has practically moved in to help with my niece Emma and her little brother. Last Sunday, while I was helping Emma with her science project at the kitchen table, grandma pulled me aside and whispered something that made my blood run cold. "Looking at Emma sometimes feels like having my daughter back," she said with tears in her eyes. "She even does that little head tilt just like her mom used to." 😰 I get it—we're all desperate to keep my sister-in-law's memory alive. But Emma is only 10 years old! I'm terrified she's being pushed into this impossible role of replacing her mom instead of just being allowed to grieve and grow up as herself. I've been losing sleep over this for weeks now, but I don't know how to bring it up without seeming heartless. Have any of you dealt with family expectations like this after a loss? I really need to hear your stories. 💔 #FamilyGrief #ParentingStruggles #ChildhoodTrauma #FamilyRelationships