Many people who have been through a divorce talk about how their spouse was their best friend and their number one confidante. Losing your “best friend” because of divorce can feel very isolating. It may be difficult for someone who is getting divorced to know who to turn to or how to ask for support. The good news is, if your friend is currently going through a divorce, you can step up and offer assistance that will make the process much easier on them.
You may feel unsure of how to best support a friend who’s going through such a drastic life change. For example, it’s challenging to figure out how to comfort a friend who got cheated on, especially if the infidelity has led to a divorce. Every divorce is different, but these 7 ways to support your friend work in almost any situation!
Listen and offer emotional support: One of the most important things you can do is to be there for your friend to listen and offer emotional support during this difficult time. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings with you and validate their experiences. Remember that you don’t necessarily need to understand everything about their relationship or the divorce; sometimes simply listening will make a huge positive impact.
Avoid judging or taking sides: Avoid taking sides or judging your friend or their spouse during the divorce process. Instead, try to remain neutral and provide a safe space for your friend to vent their frustrations without fear of being judged. You may think that speaking poorly of your friend’s spouse will make them feel better, and that may be the case in some situations. However, for others, it can actually make them feel worse. Ask your friend where they’re at in their grief process before making any harsh comments about them or their spouse to make sure they’ll be receptive.
Help with practical tasks: Divorce and family law cases can be overwhelming, and your friend may need help with practical tasks such as running errands, cooking meals, or looking after children. Offer to assist them with these tasks to alleviate some of their stress. To make things easier on your friend, try to offer specific types of assistance instead of expecting them to come up with tasks for you to complete.
Offer distraction and positive activities: Divorce can be an all-consuming experience, and your friend may appreciate being distracted by positive activities such as going to the movies, going out for a meal, or engaging in a hobby. This may also serve as a reminder to your friend that they are their own person with fun and valuable interests, and they can continue honoring these interests even though their life is changing.
Offer financial support: Divorce can be expensive, and your friend may be struggling financially. If you are in a position to help, offer to lend them money or provide financial assistance to help them through this difficult time. Even small gestures like picking up the tab at dinner can make a big difference.
Help them find a support group or therapist: Divorce is very emotionally taxing, and even with the support of their loved ones, your friend may need to enlist additional help. Encourage your friend to work with professionals, such as in a support group or with a therapist, to help them cope with the emotional and practical challenges of divorce.
Respect their privacy: Divorce can be a private and sensitive matter, so be respectful of your friend’s privacy and do not share their personal information with others without their consent. If your friend isn’t comfortable sharing certain information with you or others, don’t push them to open up before they are ready.
Edina Family Law Attorney
Have you vowed to help your friend find a great divorce lawyer in Edina? Beth Barbosa is an experienced and compassionate family law attorney who can help your loved one make the important legal decisions that will allow them to move on with their life. Contact Beth to schedule a consultation.