Friend going through Divorce

My 18 year old friend is going through a divorce.She only found out tonight.I was quite shocked when she told me.Could anybody give me advice?
Thanks.

Anti

Any chance you could give more info. Is she herself getting divorced or her parents ?

And why do you need advice ? is it effecting you too ?

a huge percentage of couples in ireland get divorced. its becomming the norm now.

there is little advice you need to give your friend. Apart from that her parents will still love her no matter what. And all you have to do is be there to talk to her.

Its her parents.Just general tips.Not effecting me but she is hurting and I wanna comfort her.

Anti

like i said, just make sure she knows that just because what happening to her parents it dosent mean they dont love her any less.

Also just be there to talk.

My parents went through the same thing when i was about 18. I didnt really have anyone to talk to about it, but it didnt really bother me, as i knew they woudl be happier apart.

thanks anti!:)

Sleepy

One bit of advice I'd give her is to have a chat with both parents before things get messy (and most likely they will) and explain to them that she won't be dragged into taking sides or allow herself to be used as a pawn.

Carrigart Exile

Sleepy wrote:

One bit of advice I'd give her is to have a chat with both parents before things get messy (and most likely they will) and explain to them that she won't be dragged into taking sides or allow herself to be used as a pawn.

Yep, that is the best advice of all. Make it clear to both parents that the children will not be used by either as a weapon against the other and that you, as their children, love them both as well. It can be a very scary time for the parents as well.

The Sweeper

If it's in Ireland, then I assume her parents have had to be separated and living apart for years in order to qualify for a divorce. Had your friend harboured some hope of them reuniting for all this time?

Anti

4 years legally seperated to get a divorce.

Talliesin

Though a legal separation can be back-dated to the time of separation, so in practice 4 years separated rather than 4 years after the legal separation comes in.

OP, all you can really do is be there to listen.

Unless one of them is very clearly "the bad one" then advise her to not let either parent put the other in the "bad one" position.

darkflower

Be an ear. And a shoulder. That's all you could do really.:)