How Adult Children Can Help Their Widowed Parent Cope with Their Loss

The loss of a parent is a dreadful blow to the surviving children and spouse. But what can adult children do to help support their widowed parent during this trying time?

Companionship

Adult children will never be able to replace their deceased parent or stepparent, but they can do much to allay the feelings of loneliness that their widowed parent will feel so soon after the loss of their spouse. Adult children need to look at their own personal circumstances and try to work out how they can be more of a companion to their widowed parent than they were before. Rather than calling once a week, can they call more often? Or, if they live close by their widowed parent, it would be a good idea to try and visit more frequently. An empty house can accentuate a widow or widower's feeling of loss and loneliness and the fact that they now have to build a life without the love and support of their spouse.

Mealtimes

Mealtimes can be an especially difficult time for widows and widowers, particularly in the very beginning. If they were used to sitting around the table with their spouse at mealtimes, they will now have to get used to cooking for one and eating alone. But adult children can help by offering to join their widowed parent for a meal during the week or over the weekend. It can be hard to really understand how a widow or widower feels about mealtimes if the surviving children are married with families of their own to help them manage their own grief and keep them occupied. But a widowed parent will not necessarily have children still living at home with whom they can share meals with.

Family Involvement

Widows and widowers are usually inundated with visitors and well wishers very soon after the death of their spouse. But after the funeral and once the extended family members and friends have left, the widow/ widower will be left alone and somehow expected to cope. Adult children can help to prevent their parent from feeling isolated and alone by inviting their parent to join them in their own family arrangements. A shopping trip, picnic and other family events that include the widowed parent can help to make all the difference.