Divorce is very difficult no matter how unhappy the marriage may have been. Those who are directly involved experience a great many different feelings and may even feel sadness, especially if there are children involved. Sometimes the only way to cope with the associated feelings is by joining a divorce support group.
Coping with the Feelings
Anyone going through a divorce may experience a variety of different emotions that might include anger, grief, and confusion. In addition to all the overwhelming emotions, there are both legal and financial issues with which they must deal. When you add the additional problems of shared custody, visitation, and child support it can create quite a burden. This is an area in which a divorce support group can be quite invaluable.
A divorce support group provides a means of moral support for those who are going through the process of separation and pending divorce. What makes these groups so helpful is everyone who attends the support group is experiencing the same thing and is therefore able to provide moral support as well as practical advice. Sometimes becoming involved with the right group can make the difference between a person struggling without help or having the help necessary for him or her to take control of the entire situation at hand.
Finding a Divorce Support Group
Anyone who is looking for a support group will find a great many helpful resources. The best divorce support group is one that makes an individual feel comfortable enough to discuss any issues with which that person is uncomfortable without worrying about whether anyone is listening. The best way to find the right group is by attending several different ones before making a final decision.
When you attend divorce support groups you can communicate with people who can help you create the best possible situation for your children not just during the divorce but afterward as well. They will help you focus on the interests of your children over both a short-term and long-term period of time.
Benefits of a Divorce Support Group
Divorce creates a lot of emotions, and many people have a difficult time dealing with and controlling the emotions associated with the process. Divorce support groups will help you set goals that will be beneficial to the children and help you learn to focus on their interests and needs instead of on your emotions and all the things that irritate you about your ex.
Everyone in the support group will initially be strangers to you. It may be difficult to enter into a group that consists of members who already know each other, so you may want to choose a start up group instead of an existing one. You may also want to decide whether you want to sit in on a group with only one gender or both. Some people may not feel comfortable in a mixed group.
There are several benefits of attending a divorce support group that include:
- Ability to discuss your emotions and situation with people who are in a similar situation
- Shows you how others are handling their children and will provide you with ideas and solutions you might find useful when it comes to dealing with daily problems with your children
- Support groups can help you learn how to ease the disappointment your family members may feel regarding your divorce
- Sharing your emotions will help you feel appreciated for your courage
- Support group members will help you understand the financial challenges divorce will present and help you learn how to handle them
- You will learn about your rights in the state where you live
- Group members will drill you about the importance of not signing any papers before consulting with a divorce lawyer
- You will receive encouragement in the process of building new relationships
Don’t wait to become involved in a divorce support group. You should begin looking as soon as you and your spouse make the decision to end your marriage.
How to Find Divorce Support Groups
No matter where you live there are likely to be thousands of divorce support groups in your area. It’s easy enough to find one that meets your needs by talking to friends who have been divorced and visited a divorce support group. Talking to someone who is familiar with one of these groups is the easiest way to find one that meets your needs and makes you feel comfortable. If you don’t have any friends who are divorced—or at least none who have felt the need to join a divorce support group—there are other resources you can use such as:
- Searching the internet
- Conducting a search under various government agencies and community services organizations
- Obtain a recommendation from your attorney
- Seek a referral from either your church or a social worker
Getting through a divorce is a very heartbreaking and painful experience, but finding a compassionate and helpful divorce support group can make the process easier and more bearable. This begins with learning how to choose the support group that makes you feel comfortable and meets your individual needs.