Losing friends and family
"I need to stand by my brother; we can't be friends any more."
This is a moment Ashley had with her friend—and soon to be ex-sister-in-law. A bond nourished for over 23 years was broken. There were tears and hugs, but the closure was hard to accept. Why does divorce lead to this kind of moment over and over?
When some people are faced with a friend or family member who is going through divorce, it just seems easier not to have to take sides. For others, the relationship is severed because it was never really all that important. And there are people that try to maintain a relationship with both, and continue the link with grace.
Of course it's not all just tears and hugs: Charlotte, who has been divorced for 5 years, told me she was relieved not to have to fake being nice to certain relatives and friends any more. But for others like Ashley, there can be a deep sadness at the loss of these relationships. Some individuals also experience an identity loss, as they are no longer welcome in certain social circles, invited to parties or know where to sit at their child's soccer game.
How to get through
Jan Schloss, a social worker, certified parenting coach and family mediator, often discusses with her clients the issues related to the loss of these relationships.
There are different ways to look at it, says Schloss. These are loyalty issues, where many privately consider, "Who am I going to side with, and how can I be friends with both?"
One of the suggestions she makes to clients when confronting the loss is to "redefine who you are and how you would like to be in this new phase of your life." And for those that think there may be a possibility of maintaining a relationship, Schloss says, "Remember, you are not divorcing your in-laws or extended family that you loved and felt clearly connected."
There might be potential to continue that connection, but prepare yourself emotionally if you can't.
Here are the top 5 things to consider when coming to terms with the loss of these relationships.
