Last post, we discussed some of the things a person may want to think about when deciding who among their friends to go to for emotional support when divorcing. Today, we will talk about the other side of the equation. Many people have friends who are in the divorce process. Thus, there are many who might be wondering: What can I do to be a supportive friend to a friend who is getting divorced?
One of the big parts of being supportive towards a friend who is going through a divorce is simply being there for them and making sure to stay connected. No one wants to feel abandoned by their friends during a divorce.
As for what types of support to provide, it will depend on the friend’s specific needs. Being a good listener and paying attention to a divorcing friend’s cues and what choices they take in what to talk about can help provide insight into what supportive role one can play.
Also, avoiding being judgmental can be very important.
Of course, being a good and supportive friend towards a divorcing friend generally does not stop at how you act towards and around your friend, it can also touch on how you act around others. One thing it can be important to avoid is gossiping to others about your friend’s divorce.
Do you have any recommendations for how to be a good friend to someone who is going through divorce?
Friendships can be a very important source of support for divorcing individuals. Of course, support may not be the only thing divorcing individuals receive from their friends. They may also receive advice on wide range of different topics.
Now, in some areas regarding a divorce, a friend’s advice can be quite helpful. In others, however, following the advice blindly could lead to problems. One such area that falls into the latter category is advice involving legal matters. Divorce legal matters are often rather complicated. So, a friend’s advice regarding such matters, while probably well-meaning, could potentially be off the mark. Thus, when it comes to divorce legal matters, seeking the advice of an attorney experienced in divorce law, rather than following the advice of friends without question, can be wise for divorcing individuals.
Source: The Huffington Post, “How to Help a Friend Dealing With Divorce,” Diane Gottsmann, Oct. 28, 2015