Here’s 5 Things Your Wife Needs From You When She Loses Her Father
Losing a parent is an extremely hard thing to go through. As someone who lost his father at the age of 19, it is one of the hardest things to experience. When your significant other loses their parent, it’s important to show your support. As a husband, there are some things your wife needs from you to navigate the loss of her father. Here are five things you might do to ease her pain at this difficult time.
1. Emotional Support Without Pressure
Grief is unpredictable, and your wife may experience a rollercoaster of emotions. She needs you to be her safe space, allowing her to express her sadness, anger, or confusion without judgment. Avoid telling her how she should feel or how to process her grief. Instead, listen actively and offer words of comfort when needed. Simply being present and acknowledging her pain is sometimes more powerful than trying to fix it. As a husband, it is easy to want to fix everything, simply being present and acknowledging her pain is sometimes more powerful.
2. Patience With Her Changing Moods
There are a lot of ups and downs that come with grief. Your wife may be fine one moment and in tears the next, and that’s completely normal. She may also have moments of irritability or exhaustion that aren’t about you—so don’t take them personally. Understand that grief has no timeline, and some days will be harder than others. The best thing you can do is be patient and give her space when she needs it.
3. Help With Daily Responsibilities
The best thing I did for my wife when she was grieving a significant loss was kicking in with her daily responsibilities. We have two children under the age of 3 (at that time, they were only two years old and five months old). I helped out with everything I could, from getting the kids bathed and in bed to washing dishes and even just picking up prescriptions. In your own marriage, these small acts of service will relieve her stress and allow her to focus on healing. Show her that you’re her partner in every aspect, not just in words but in actions.
4. Encouragement to Remember and Honor Her Father
Your wife will want to keep her father’s memory alive in different ways. Encourage her to talk about him, share stories, or engage in traditions that meant something to him. Offer to help create a tribute, such as a photo album, a special keepsake, or even planting a tree in his honor. Avoid making her feel like she needs to move on quickly—grief is about learning to live with the loss, not erasing it.
5. Understanding That Intimacy May Change
Grief can impact emotional and physical intimacy in unexpected ways. Your wife may not feel as affectionate or engaged as she once was, and that’s okay. Don’t pressure her for closeness, but also don’t withdraw completely—let her set the pace. Express love in other ways, such as through comforting words, small gestures, or simply holding her when she needs it. Communicate openly about what she’s feeling and reassure her that you’re there for her.
Be Her Rock When She Needs It Most
Losing your dad is a life-altering event. Your wife will need your support to navigate the toughest parts of grief. It’s important to be emotionally present and patient with her during this time. You don’t have to have the perfect words. Just being there for her and offering your support will be enough. Knowing she has you by her side will make all the difference in the world.
Read More
15 Romantic Gestures That Never Go Out of Style
10 Ways to Balance Individuality and Togetherness in a Partnership
Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.