Widowed parent.......

[fireplug]

What do you guys do to keep them involved in family things.
DW and I took my DF to Ohio this last weekend to watch our son play football.
He had a blast and is planning on going to as many games as possible.
When mom was alive he did not get to go to very much stuff as she was pretty demanding of his time. He has on occaision spent a lot of time sitting alone in the house so this really gets him out and is keeping him busy.


Steve

 

[holycow]

How thoughtful of you!...My DM...has been widowed for the past 1 1/2 years and it has really tough since I am all the way across the country. She has taken up golf and tried going on a few trips sponsored by the community (those were tough as she suffered anxiety attacks)...but I encourage her to keep trying new things...

lisa

 

[Boots]

We had to try to keep my DF occupied for two years after my mom died. I had to keep him busy as he was grieving himself to death. He remarried two ago and has started to live again. Many many hugs and prayers for you!

 

[Pin Wizard]

They have to keep busy with worthwhile things. My FIL is a homebody. My poor BIL can't get his dad out of the house. He doesn't want to do anything.

 

[helenabear]

I do many things for my dad. My mom died almost 9 years ago. I call him pretty much daily to chat. He is invited over quite often to our house and out to dinner and my other siblings invite him along on trips whenever possible. We also encourage him to get out and have a good time with his friends often. I also go along with him when he goes to purchase things like carpets, wall paper, sofas or something that my mom would have picked so he doesn't have to decide to do this on his own. His last child living at home will finally be moving out within the year (getting married) and I know that will be rough on him, but we'll continue making sure he knows he is loved and appreciated.

 

[CRB#33]

My dad comes to all my kids games, concerts and school events. He loves it!

A year or two after mom died, he joined a country club and plays golf a few times a week, made some new friends and joined a bridge team at the club.

My dad and DD are very smart, and have quite a bit in common so they will spend hours talking about what's happening in the world and converse in as much French as she knows and as much as he can remember, LOL!

We take him to plays in the city and concerts that we can get tickets too.

He's going to be 70 in a few months and we're taking him to New York.

It's been rough though, he was 10 years older than mom when she died 14 years ago. He never thought he would outlive her. Grandchildren certainly give them sparkle!