Children are a great blessing when there has been a death. Because they need love, nurture and attention, grieving mothers are naturally provided with ways to invest their energy and temporarily distract their mind from their own grief. Yet, children can also complicate a young widow's grieving because they face helping the children cope with the loss of their father at a time when they are themselves emotionally devastated. When widowed, Couric had two children aged six and two, while Bono's were nine and six. Their dilemma is one faced by many younger widows.
Young widows have no peer group.
Younger women, however, do not have such peer groups and are less prepared emotionally and practically. Support groups are vital. Because there is a lack of peer support for younger widows in our culture, counselors strongly suggest that a young widow seek and join a grief-support group as soon as possible. Many churches, temples and YMCAs offer such programs. Unique problems plague younger widows.