How To Help a Friend Going Through Divorce
If you have a friend who is going through a divorce, you may be wondering how you can help. It can be a tough time for both parties involved, and your friend may appreciate your support. Here are some tips on how to help a friend going through divorce.
Be there for your friend – let them know you’re available to talk whenever they need
Friends can be vital to our health, wellbeing and general outlook on life. Nobody needs to go through difficulty and hardship alone, so we need to make sure that we are always there for our friends when they need us. It’s not just about being physically present but also being available to listen and offer words of comfort or advice when needed. Quality conversations let your friend know that you’re in tune with what they’re going through and are willing to carry the load with them. Being a reliable shoulder for your friend to lean on speaks volumes about the strength of your friendship. Showing up at the times when it matters so your friend knows that you’re there for them no matter what can do wonders for both their physical and mental state.
Avoid giving advice – unless they explicitly ask for it, let them vent without judgment.
In certain interpersonal situations, it’s important to remember that sometimes people just need a listening ear. Even when approached by a friend or loved one seeking advice on how to deal with a problem, jumping straight into problem-solving may not always be the best reaction. Respect for a person’s feelings and thoughts can go a long way during these times; does the person really want help solving the issue or do they just need validation for the emotions attached? It is crucial to remain mindful of these cues and respond accordingly. When in doubt, rather than trying to offer solutions that may not be helpful, simply let them vent without judgment and express sympathy before deciding if they require assistance.
Don’t take sides – remain neutral and objective in social settings.
Likely, if your friend is going through a divorce, you have spent some time with their ex-partner and may even have formed a friendship of your own. This may make you feel caught in the middle of your loyalty to your friend and saving a relationship with their ex. Try to remain neutral in social settings if you are all involved and ensure you are cordial to both parties. If you are hosting an event and want both parties to attend, ensure you let them both know that they are invited so that they can decide if they want to attend on their own and are not faced with a surprise run-in.
Help with practical matters – if they need help moving or taking care of the paperwork, offer to assist.
When your friend or family member is in need of help with practical matters, it’s important to make sure you offer to help. Whether it’s helping them move their items from one space to another or helping take care of the paperwork, do your best to make yourself available. Even just taking out the trash for the day can be a great support to those who are in need. Showing up and helping hands-on is an extremely valuable and often underappreciated part of being a friend and family member. Be sure you recognize when someone needs this type of assistance and offer it willingly!
Be understanding and patient – this is a difficult time for them, so cut them some slack.
Now more than ever, it is crucial to remain understanding and patient. This is a difficult time for everyone, but some may struggle more than others. While we may not be able to fully understand the struggles of one another, we can show kindness and compassion through patience and understanding. It might be that extra helping hand in an area they are struggling with or simply taking a step back to allow them space to process what is going on. Everyone deals with hard times differently, and if our only contribution is to provide enough space so they can make it through a dark time, then that should be enough. Let’s all take this time as an opportunity to foster love and understanding instead of judgment or criticism – it could make all the difference in someone’s life!
The bottom line is that divorce doesn’t have to be as daunting as people think it does. Having good mental well-being and a strong support system are integral ways of coping with life transitions like these that no one should overlook. So don’t let fear stop you from being there for your friend—call us today if you or someone you know is looking for help with divorce!
