Facing Father’s Day: Tips from WAY members

June 2026

For many widowed people, Father’s Day can be one of the hardest dates in the calendar. In this article, members of the WAY community share ideas, reflections and small acts of remembrance that have helped them navigate this difficult day after losing a partner.

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Whether you are a widowed parent, bringing up a child without their dad or mum, or if you are coming to terms with not having the chance to have children, the WAY community is here to support you if you are struggling.

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Rob 

“Make it an occasion of remembrance. Go out for dinner at his favourite restaurant or something. I think the key is taking potentially sad days and making them into happy memories.”

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Stacey

“My children are 22 and 20 and this is also the first Father's Day without their dad. We are going to do one of his favourite dog walks and spread some of his ashes. Not sure about the rest of the day other than it's going to be tough. For the last five years we had favoured a family day out over bought gifts so it's going to be strange.”

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Wendy 

“This one is our first Father’s Day for our little girl who is seven. We will visit my father in law (her grandad) as usual on a Sunday, but think I will leave it completely up to her what she wants to do. “

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Kerry 

“Sometimes the local WAY group organises things – or I get together with a few other widows and their children for a beach walk and picnic. A few of us also used to organise a February half-term holiday to the Canaries with our children, when they were younger – that was always a great thing to look forward to after Christmas.”

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Tammy

“My daughters are 18 & 21 and have had one Father’s Day without their Dad. I asked them what they wanted to do and they both wanted to stay home to avoid seeing others out with their Dads, but everyone is different so do what feels right to them. And we’ve learned to avoid the card aisles…”

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Amanda

"I’ve found our best way of coping is to be with people who understand so we go on the WAY weekend away in Derbyshire. It helps both my twins and I get through and understand there are others feeling the same way. 

This Father’s Day weekend, we are looking forward to catching up with some of the families we met last year and meeting new families."

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Member of WAY’s subgroup for members without children (WAY WOC)

“Having the support of the WAY Woc sub-group helps me know I’m not alone with the ‘what could/should have been’ of a parenthood denied.”

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More tips from WAY members both with and without children…

• “In the past I have tended to try and avoid going anywhere I might be reminded on the day itself. It’s not always possible but I have started to recognise my triggers.”
• “We remember them every day. Life is hard enough so we don’t need to put ourselves through these days if they are too painful for us.”
• “For me, life still goes on and it’s how we choose to show the love we have for our lost partners by being able to talk about them, acknowledge them and remember the awesome times we had.”
• "We donate the money that we would have spent on presents to various charities in his memory. It feels like we’re still doing something for him."
•  “You have to do whatever works for you. You don’t have to do anything, but equally you don’t have to do nothing.”