Navigating the summer holidays: Tips from widowed parents

The summer holidays can be a particularly challenging time for families who are grieving the loss of a parent. While the holidays are often seen as a time for making happy family memories together, they can also highlight the absence of someone who should be part of those moments. Family outings, special occasions and constant reminders in the media and on social media can make grief feel especially present, bringing a renewed sense of loss and isolation during the long summer break.

Our Full Circle partners at the peer support charity WAY Widowed and Young have shared some advice from their members about how they cope with the summer holidays:

In the early days, start small and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Start with small trips out – to the park, to get some ice cream, and build up from there.

It can feel a bit like you're just going through the motions in the early days. The enjoyment comes with time but, at the start, you may just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep the faith it will come right.

If you have family or friends who can support, think about what help you want. Relatives might offer to ‘take the children out’ to give you time to yourself. I really wanted some help and company to do things with my children and take them places that I found difficult on my own.

Lean on the WAY Widowed and Young community for support. If you’re finding it tough, there are lots of us who understand.

We've met WAY friends for days out, weekends away and holidays abroad. It's support, company, friendship, an extra pair of hands to help with logistics, and some back up for the awful ‘what if’ scenarios that can run through your head when you’re on your own in a strange place. And it's mutual support – you're both helping each other. Our WAY friends feel like family and we all look forward to seeing each other.

Alison

I’d do mini breaks of 2-3 nights instead of a week or two. If it doesn’t go well, you’re not stuck somewhere struggling for long. Also have another break to look forward to. Young children’s concept of time isn’t always great so a mini break will feel like a week to them.

If going for a week, I’d recommend taking a friend or meeting a friend or another family you know for part of the time while away to get a bit of support.

Isobel

Hotels I've found to be a big no no for us as you don't get any downtime when the kids are asleep.

Ideally go on holiday with friends who can help to entertain the kids. Failing that single parent holidays are great as there are other adults to talk to. We went on a ski holiday recently and there were actually five widows (including me). Four of us were WAY members!

Simon

Do not feel guilty about using kid’s clubs on holiday, even if it’s not what you did before. You need time to yourself to breathe.

Leanne

About WAY

The WAY Widowed and Young community offers a safe space to talk to other people (both with and without children) who understand how it feels to be widowed at a young age.

To learn more about WAY and how they can support you, visit their website www.widowedandyoung.org.uk.

Find out more about our full circle partnership with WAY Widowed and Young

Visit our page: How we can support you for more on our services.

You can also call our Helpline 0800 02 888 40, email [email protected], or use Live Chat on our website.

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