Single Adult Worries About Aging Solo
Jim Daly
Focus on the Family
A weekly advice column written by Jim Daly, Focus on the Family draws upon a deep, abiding Christian faith to help heal broken marriages and troubled families, built on a foundation of “the power of hope and second chances.” Focus on the Family’s sound, Christian guidance gives readers helpful answers on how to navigate a steady path in an uncertain world.
Q: I'm a 50-something single woman. I never married and have no immediate family. I'm starting to think about how I'll cope as I age; I worry that no one will be there for me when I'm no longer able to do everything for myself. I don't want to grow bitter about my circumstances. How can I find peace?
Jim: You're not alone. The societal upheavals of the past few years have prompted many people, especially unmarried adults, to ponder the thought that they're living in a very scary world without help or support.
Thankfully, you can proactively improve your prospects and prepare for your future. Start looking now for people who can become the support group you will need down the road. Supportive friendships are cultivated over time through shared experiences. I think a good church is a great place to explore opportunities for relationships, but don't necessarily stop there. There are many special-interest clubs, service organizations and charitable societies that you may be able to join.
What are your hobbies? Do you enjoy reading, stamp-collecting, painting, quilting or bird-watching? Are you interested in political activism or social relief? Could you benefit by enrolling in a nutrition and fitness class, a book club or a discussion group of some kind? Pickleball? The possibilities are almost endless. Any of these activities could become the basis for several deeply meaningful long-term friendships.
Here's a key thought to keep in mind: Don't limit yourself to your chronological peers. You're positioned now to encourage and help new friends who might be older than you are. And if you stretch your comfort zone to get to know younger people, those connections could prove to be especially important to you in years to come. The old adage holds true: To find a friend, be a friend.
Q: With Mother's Day upon us, my kids and I need some advice for making the holiday special. Do you have any suggestions?
Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth: A 2023 Pew Research survey found (to no one's surprise) that almost 70% of mothers say parenting is more difficult than they thought it would be. Moms devote endless hours to managing and nourishing the household — but they need to be nourished, too.
Dad and kids can honor Mom on Mother's Day by considering her love language — as identified by Dr. Gary Chapman — describing one's primary way of giving or receiving love. These include acts of service, physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time and gifts. A helpful tip: Most moms say the perfect gifts involve things that refresh their soul.
Here are some easy and fun ways to bless Mom/your wife on Mother's Day and beyond:
— Give her relaxing, renewing options. Help her carve out time to be with friends, exercise, take a warm bubble bath or enjoy a hobby she loves. Throughout the month of May (and beyond), help her replenish through simple things like texts, notes, hugs, a phone call or dinner out.
— Find opportunities to serve her. Handle something she needs to have taken off her to-do list, or find something that makes her feel known. Even simple acts like cleaning her car or making her favorite meal can help Mom feel seen and heard.
— Make homemade cards. Most moms love homemade gifts and cards. My daughter has created many watercolor cards with quotes or Bible verses — my wife has kept every card.
Meanwhile, a word to moms who are going it alone for whatever reason. You matter. You still need to be replenished and tend to the needs of your soul, whether that's spending time with friends or swapping childcare with another mom to facilitate life-giving activities.
Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author and president of Focus on the Family. He is also the host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at jimdaly.focusonthefamily.com or at Facebook.com/JimDalyFocus.
Distributed by Andrews McMeel Syndication. Copyright © 2025. Used with permission.