Divorce is one of the most stressful, emotional times in a person’s life. You may feel as though your life is being torn apart, that you are not capable of keeping your family together, and you may wonder how the kids will cope. More than anything, you want to be able to confide in your friends about what is really going on during this life-altering process. Your friends will listen and offer advice, but you feel somewhat disconnected from them. What has happened?
According to one woman, when she went through her divorce about a decade ago, she experienced this and it took her friends going through their own divorces before she fully understood. Her friends were uncomfortable around her during her divorce. They would answer her phone calls, meet her for lunch, and buy her the occasional gift, but the relationships just seemed strained. She was finally able to get some answers when divorce entered the picture for a couple of her friends.
Her friends thought their marriages were strong and stable – that divorce would never happen to them. Those beliefs brought out feelings that they were a bit better than the divorcee and those feelings were palpable in the friendship.
Even though your friends may still be right beside you during your divorce, don’t be surprised if you feel a bit of a change in your relationship with them, especially with the friends who are married. A divorce makes those closest to you realize that divorce can happen to any couple, and divorce rates in this country are high. Some estimates put divorce rates as high as 50 percent, although other experts say it is lower.
If you feel that your marriage is beyond reconciliation, it’s time to protect yourself. Speak with an experienced Colorado divorce attorney about your options, including those for child custody and support, spousal support and property division. You must ensure your interests are protected as you move forward with your new life.
Source: huffingtonpost.com, “What Your Married Friends Think While You’re Divorcing” Honoree Corder, Sep. 12, 2013