Widowers Survival Guide:
What No One Told Me
It’s not just widows who feel overwhelmed by tasks their spouse used to do—widowers can be just as unsure where to start. That’s why I’ve decided to put together a helpful list for the guys. Some of these chores might seem straightforward, but I’m making sure to include everything I can think of, plus advice from friends, so nothing gets missed.
General Household Chores
- Wood and vinyl floors – Sweep/mop
- Carpet – Vacuum
- Dust furniture
- Clean dust from shades, fans, furniture, lamps
- Water plants
- Clean windows
- Clean toilet (inside and out)
- Clean shower
- Clean sink and countertops
- Wash towels
- Change sheets regularly
- Clean fan or vent on stove for grease build up
- Don’t use regular dish soap in a dishwasher
- You only need a small squirt of dish soap when washing in the sink.
Additional Tasks Widowers May Need to Manage
- Meal planning and grocery shopping: Creating shopping lists, planning weekly meals, and preparing food.
- Managing bills and finances: Paying household bills, reviewing insurance policies, budgeting, and tracking expenses.
- Laundry and clothing care: Washing, drying, folding, ironing clothes, and mending or replacing worn items.
- Childcare/family support: Overseeing children’s schedules, activities, doctor’s appointments, school communications, and emotional needs.
- Pet care: Feeding, walking, grooming, and scheduling vet visits for household pets.
- Organizing paperwork: Filing important documents, handling mail, and keeping track of warranties, manuals, and tax information.
- Scheduling appointments: Arranging healthcare visits, home repairs, car maintenance, and other necessary appointments.
- Social and family connections: Keeping in touch with extended family and friends, sending cards for birthdays or anniversaries, and updating family records.
- Decluttering and donating: Periodically sorting through belongings to donate, recycle, or discard items no longer needed.
- Planning holidays and events: Organizing celebrations, holiday meals, travel arrangements, and family traditions.
