Kristin Cavallari on coping with brother's death: 'I found strength in my kids'

March 15, 2016, 2:40 PM UTC / Source: TODAY

By Sarah Epstein

The end of 2015 was a roller coaster of emotions for reality TV star Kristin Cavallari.

In November, Cavallari and her husband, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, welcomed daughter Saylor James. Three weeks later, her brother, Michael, was found dead, after having been missing for two weeks.

Cavallari recently opened up to People magazine about how she got through her difficult loss.

"I'm okay," she said. "I'm going to have good days and bad days, but I've really found a lot of strength in my kids (Saylor, Jaxon Wyatt, 1, and Camden Jack, 3), especially Saylor. I couldn't just fall apart — I had a little baby to look after."

"When you lose someone, it really makes you realize how precious life is, and so I’m just thankful that I have my babies and I’m thankful for everything in my life."

Now, Cavallari is focused on being a good mom to her kids and anticipating the difficult times ahead. She said, "Saylor is such a mellow, easy baby, and I have heard that girls are easier in the easily stages, in the teen years they’re a little bit more work."

"I want to raise a confident daughter," she continued. "I want her to be comfortable in her own skin, and I think it’s important for girls to know that if you live a healthy lifestyle, you can eat a lot of food, you just have to eat the right stuff and you work out and you just stay active and stay healthy."

At the moment, Cavallari continues to push forward and lead her kids by example. Her new book, "Balancing in Heels: My Journey to Health, Happiness and Making It All Work," becomes available this week.