Supporting A Loved One Who Is Going Through A Divorce

Divorce can be a challenging experience, not only for the parties involved, but also for their loved ones. If you have a friend or relative who is going through a divorce, it is important to offer them support. We’ve included a few tips on how to help your own loved one navigate the transition to post-divorce life as smoothly as possible.

Helping with Day-to-Day Tasks 

While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the more difficult aspects of divorce, the reality is that everyday tasks can quickly start to weigh on the parties involved. Whether running errands or obtaining childcare while attending a court hearing or meeting with a lawyer, these kinds of day-to-day tasks can start to wear on a person who is also in the process of obtaining a divorce. Helping with these matters is a great way to show a loved one that you are there for them, while also giving them time to focus on the divorce itself. Don’t be afraid to ask what the person needs and how you can support them. They may have a few specific things that, while they may seem relatively simple, could make a big impact on their mental health.

Offering Emotional Support 

Besides helping with practical duties, you can also provide emotional support to a loved one who is going through divorce by being there to listen and offering words of encouragement. It’s important to be patient, as it may take some time for your friend or relative to open up. Getting divorced can dredge up strong emotions and it can take awhile for the parties involved to process those feelings, so offering emotional support will likely be an ongoing process.

Spending Time Together 

Another good way to show support during a friend or family member’s divorce is to spend quality time together. You don’t necessarily need to talk about the divorce during these visits. Instead, go out for coffee, take a walk in the park, or plan an activity that you both enjoy to help take your loved one’s mind off their current situation, if only for a couple of hours. Spending time with someone in this way can go a long way towards reminding them that they are loved and supported by their community. Engaging in activities that they like is also extremely important in helping someone get through a divorce emotionally and physically intact.

Respect Their Decisions 

You may harbor opinions about how a loved one’s divorce is progressing. It is, however, important to respect that person’s journey and avoid giving an opinion on a child custody or other divorce-related matter unless specifically asked. Try to listen without judging their decisions or their way of processing the divorce.

Call Today for Legal Support During Your Divorce 

Divorce can be challenging not only for the parties directly involved, but also for their loved ones. At the offices of dedicated Florida divorce lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A., we understand how important it is to support our clients throughout the entirety of their divorce proceedings. Call our office at 954-945-7591 to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources: 

nytimes.com/2022/01/19/style/divorce-support.html

theatlantic.com/family/archive/2022/08/best-friend-divorce-healthy-boundaries-advice/671261/