When your world shifts beneath you due to the loss of a partner, solo parenting becomes more than a practical challenge — it becomes a deeply emotional, ongoing act of strength. Grief doesn’t follow a straight path, and for widowed parents, that grief is often layered with love, exhaustion, responsibility, and a quiet kind of courage.
You might feel like you’re living two lives at once: holding it together on the outside for your child, while navigating waves of grief and uncertainty inside. This blog is for you — a gentle companion through the harder days, and a reminder that even in grief, you are not alone.
1. Grief Doesn’t Have a Timetable — And That’s OK
In a world that often rushes healing, it’s important to remind yourself that grief isn’t something to “get over.” There is no finish line, no deadline. Your grief may soften over time, but it won’t disappear — and it shouldn’t have to.
You might have good days, terrible days, and everything in between. Sometimes grief will hit you when you least expect it — at school pick-up, while watching a film, or folding a favourite jumper. Allow space for it. Let it move through you.
👉 Resource: Cruse Bereavement Support offers free grief resources and helplines in the UK.
👉 On Frolo: Join our Widowed Parents group on the Frolo app to connect with others walking a similar path.
2. You Can Feel Both Grief and Joy
One of the most confusing things for widowed parents can be the moments of lightness. You laugh with your child. You enjoy a moment of peace. And then the guilt hits — how can I be happy when they’re gone?
But here’s the truth: joy doesn’t cancel out your grief. They can live side by side. It’s okay to feel both. In fact, allowing room for joy is a part of healing — and it can be deeply comforting for your child, too.
👉 Podcast episode: Listen to this episode of the Frolo podcast with Karen Sutton about parenting as a widow.
3. You’re Carrying a Lot — Be Kind to Yourself
Losing your partner doesn’t just mean losing a person — it often means losing your co-parent, your emotional anchor, your future plans. The mental load of solo parenting becomes even heavier, and everything can feel like “too much.”
It’s okay to lower your standards. It’s okay if dinner is toast and bedtime is late. The pressure to be both parents, all the time, is unrealistic — especially when you’re grieving.
👉 Resource: WAY – Widowed and Young offers support and events for people who’ve lost a partner before the age of 50.
4. You Don’t Have to Talk — But When You’re Ready, It Helps
Some widowed parents find comfort in sharing their story. Others hold it privately. Both are completely valid. There may come a moment, though, when speaking out — even anonymously or briefly — brings unexpected comfort.
That’s where community matters. Whether it's on Frolo, in a support group, or with a therapist, connecting with someone who gets it can be a turning point.
👉 On Frolo: Download the Frolo app to connect with other widowed parents. Join our group chats or find someone for a one-on-one check-in.
👉 Also try: The Good Grief Trust — a hub for bereavement support services and peer support.
5. Your Child is Grieving Too — But You Don’t Have to Get It Right All the Time
Supporting a grieving child is one of the hardest things a parent can do — especially when you’re grieving yourself. You might worry about saying the wrong thing, or not being “strong enough” for them. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to get it right all the time.
Try to create an environment where it’s okay to talk — but also okay not to talk. Keep checking in. Use books, pictures, or even small rituals to help them process.
👉 Book rec: "The Invisible String" by Patrice Karst — a beautiful picture book about connection and loss.
👉 Resource: Winston’s Wish supports children who’ve experienced bereavement, with practical advice for parents and carers.
6. You Are Allowed to Dream Again
After loss, it can feel almost disloyal to imagine a future that looks different from the one you planned. But rebuilding isn’t forgetting. Dreaming again isn’t betrayal. It’s a sign of your strength.
One day you might start a new tradition. You might fall in love again. You might simply feel peace. Those things don’t erase the person you’ve lost — they honour your ability to keep going.
👉 On Frolo: Read stories from Frolo members rebuilding their lives — from small wins to big life shifts — in the Frolo blog.
7. You Are Doing Better Than You Think
We see you. Juggling grief and packed lunches. Explaining tough truths with a lump in your throat. Loving your child fiercely, even when your own heart is breaking.
There is no perfect way to solo parent through loss. But the fact that you’re showing up? That you’re trying? That makes you extraordinary.
You may not feel strong — but your child sees someone who keeps going. And that matters more than you’ll ever know.
Where to Go From Here
Rebuilding life after loss is not a straight path. Some days will feel impossible. Some days will surprise you with their softness. But every single step counts — and you never have to take them alone.
💛 Here are some ways to connect and find support:
- Download the Frolo app – Join the Widowed Parents group, meet others in the same boat, and get support 24/7.
- Listen to the Frolo podcast – Find episodes on solo parenting and grief
- Explore more resources:
If this post resonates with you, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a story, a question, or just a “me too” — your voice matters. 💬
With love and solidarity,
The Frolo Team x
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