Emilie Kiser Unprepared For Christmas Trend Triggering Flashbacks After Son's Death

Emilie Kiser is opening up about how she's coping with the loss of her 3-year-old son, Trigg, as the festive season progresses.

On Monday, the influencer revealed an unforeseen difficulty she's dealing with since her son's tragic drowning in May.

Emilie shared an Instagram Stories post detailing how holiday-season content on social media has affected her grieving process.

“Honestly, I didn’t foresee how emotionally challenging social media would be for me this month,” her message began.

She noted that she had “prepared” herself for triggers in her “personal life,” “but not for the impact of what I'd encounter on my phone.”

Emilie acknowledged that she’s “in charge” of managing her mental well-being.

She mentioned using methods to “shield” herself emotionally, such as minimising phone use and avoiding excessive scrolling. 

“Yet, witnessing so many parents engaging in Elf on the Shelf recalls painful memories of traditions we cherished.”

“To be truthful, I forgot today marked December 1st and that the night before would herald the Christmas season,” she continued.

Emilie, alongside her husband Brady, also parents their 9-month-old son, Teddy, but she noted he is “too little” for Elf on the Shelf traditions.

“And honestly, I just haven't got the strength for it,” she stated. “These are the moments when grief makes everything feel overwhelming and perplexing.”

"Last December was completely different, uniquely special, and filled with Trigg," expressed the mourning mother.

“This year, and every year after, will not be the same. It can still hold its own specialness, just different.”

She wrapped up her post by expressing her wish to “support someone else dealing with a similar situation.”

On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Emilie shared a post on an eight-minute TikTok about how she is mentally gearing up for the upcoming period.

While she mentioned that "every holiday is tough" as a grieving parent, she highlighted that Christmas might be particularly trying for her.

"I'm setting no expectations for myself. Whatever emotions arise during these holidays, I'm allowing myself to fully experience them instead of shoving them aside," she conveyed.

"But if I need a moment away or feel unable to participate in certain holiday traditions, I'm completely fine with that, too."

The Arizona mother also mentioned, “I've been feeling so out of place in my life, as if I'm reliving a past life, almost."

"It’s as though I once had this life, and now it’s gone,” she reflected. “It feels somewhat like reliving my years with Trigg through Teddy, because I'm reaching all the same milestones as before, but he's not here anymore," she shared, her voice breaking.

In the wake of Trigg's passing, Kiser took a break from social media for a few months before rejoining in September.

Since then, her content has been a blend of typical daily vlogs and sincere expressions of the sorrow following her loss.