Healthy Divorce: The importance of a divorce support group

A divorce support group can be of real value. Times of strife often lead us to turn to family and friends as a source of support, and a solid support group is a key element to coping with the devastation of divorce.

However, unloading your problems may not always be in your best interest or the best interest of your family. Care must be taken when going others with intimate details of your relationship. Nothing is more certain to create added discord between you and your spouse than criticism and unfiltered discussions with a family member or friend who is less than discrete with the info.

Experience has shown that indiscrete conversations can sometimes be harmful, hurtful, and even dangerous.

Prior to exposing all of your concerns to another, ask yourself the these questions:

Does the person I am speaking with know that I am hurting and looking for support?

Does the person I am speaking with respect me enough to refrain from gossiping about my situation?

Is it possible that this person will be an agent for my spouse and will only be seeking info for them?

If my family and I are able to heal and recover from our current problems, will this person be able to disregard what I have said to them?

How will discussing this situation with this person affect my children?

Respect your friends, family, spouse, and most importantly yourself, by using discretion before airing your marital dirty laundry. When angry, sad, frustrated, or outraged, it is natural that you want to vent. We often act without thinking. But by using certain rules of conduct for yourself, you may prevent behaving in a manner which you will later regret.

By way of suggestion, the following rules should be considered:natural that you want to vent. We often act without thinking. But by using certain rules of conduct for yourself, you may prevent behaving in a manner which you will later regret. By way of suggestion, the following rules should be considered: