PRACTICAL TIPS FOR A WIDOWS GROUP

Here are a few tips that might help with your group. They might also prompt some of your good ideas. Would you share them with us? Enter them as a comment or email them to WCplace@gmail.com
💗  ferree


PRACTICAL TIPS FOR A WIDOWS GROUP


* You can't fix the situation but you can encourage the woman.
* What’s said in the group stays in the group.
* Each group has its own personality.
* Over-invite. Many widows will back out at the last minute; don’t take it personally.
* Widowhood and grief are transitional times so in the long run, both you and your group will change and that’s a good thing.
* Facilitate, don’t dominate the discussions. Use open-ended questions, not questions with yes or no answers

*Ask a question that is non-threatening such as:

• * How has someone shown a kindness to you recently or in the past
• * How have you shown kindness to someone
• * Have you traveled to an interesting place
• * Is there a place you would like to visit
• * Do you have a pet story
• * Do you have a most embarrassing moment story
• * Do you like to talk on the phone or prefer emails
• * What is your favorite dinner or place to eat

* Have fun! It’s OK to laugh!
* Call just to “chat” – it is an opening to hear their story and where they are in their grief
* Send notes to encourage or as a reminder that someone is thinking of them
* Don’t forget those widows that cannot get out – remember them with visits, cards, calls

These were part of a workshop that Bebe Holland and I presented at A Widow's Journey Retreat on March 2.