Divorce conversations don’t end when you inform your spouse and children. Telling your family members and friends about the divorce is another great step. The divorce process can be complicated — it may be best to have support from your loved ones.
So, how do you break the news so that you can enlist their support? It can feel awkward, to be sure, but here’s how to begin:
Start with your parents (or parental figures)
Telling your parents or parental figures about your divorce can be challenging. Thus, you should be ready for their emotional reactions and questions. It may help to know what to say beforehand, so it’s okay to prepare and practice your “speech” for a smooth conversation.
As you address the changes, keep your focus on what you’re planning on doing, how this may affect your living situation and your need for their emotional support. It’s wise to avoid revealing too many details or bad-mouthing your spouse right now — just in case you reconcile.
Inform other family members and friends
After informing your parents, you can tell other family members and friends. This conversation may differ slightly from the one you had with your parents because most of them may feel like they need to pick sides, especially your mutual friends. Again, you want to be careful what you say because you don’t want to put anybody in an uncomfortable position.
When talking to your parents, you can give them some details as they may have been more invested in the marriage. However, with others, you may simply say, “I’m not ready to discuss it right now,” or something similar.
When you’re going through a divorce, it can feel like you’re all alone — but you’re not. Experienced legal guidance can help you make good decisions during this difficult time.