Supporting Someone Going Through Divorce

How to Support Someone Going Through Divorce (What to Say + What NOT to Say)

January 26, 2026•8 min read

When someone you care about is going through divorce or separation, it’s normal to feel stuck.

You want to help… but you’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, taking the wrong side, or making it worse.

This guide is written for friends, parents, siblings, coworkers—anyone who wants to support someone they love. And it’s based on what people going through divorce consistently say they wish their support system understood.

Because here’s the truth:

The goal isn’t to say the “perfect thing.”

The goal is to make this season less lonely.

This articles is based on a video that you can watch here:

What divorce is really like for the person you care about

From the outside, they might look “fine.” They might even sound fine.

But for many people, divorce feels like a bomb going off in their life.

They can be:

Lost and overwhelmed
Ashamed
Confused
Questioning themselves
Exhausted and not sleeping
One comment away from breaking down
Trying to function while their whole world is rearranging

And sometimes they don’t talk much—not because they don’t trust you, but because:

they don’t want to relive every detail,
they don’t know how to put words to what’s happening,
they’re scared they’ll fall apart,
they don’t want to worry you,
or they’re trying to survive moment-to-moment.

So if you’re thinking, “I don’t know what to do,” you’re not alone.

Your job isn’t to fix their pain (you can’t)

This is the part that surprises a lot of supportive people:

You can’t fix divorce for them.

And that’s not because you’re failing. It’s because divorce is a life disruption that hits multiple layers at once—grief, anger, identity, trust, fear, finances, parenting, housing, routines, future plans… sometimes all at the same time.

Trying to “solve it” usually backfires—because the pain isn’t a problem to eliminate. It’s an experience they have to move through.

So what is your job?

Your job is to make it safer—and less lonely.

To help them feel:

seen
supported
not judged
not rushed
not alone

That’s what actually helps someone stabilize.

The single most helpful mindset: “Let me be a safe place”

When someone is going through divorce, what they need most (from the people close to them) is often this:

“Let me feel what I feel without you trying to rescue me from it.”

That doesn’t mean you do nothing.

It means you create a space where they can tell the truth—without being corrected, pressured, coached, judged, or pushed into decisions they’re not ready for.

What to say to someone going through divorce (simple phrases that help)

You don’t need a speech. You need a few steady, human sentences.

Here are phrases that tend to land well because they communicate safety and presence.

1) Validate the pain (without trying to remove it)

“That sounds really painful.”
“I’m so sorry you’re carrying this.”
“This makes sense. Anyone would be overwhelmed.”
“You don’t have to pretend you’re okay with me.”

Why it helps: validation reduces shame. Shame makes people isolate. And isolation is where things get darker.

2) Ask what they need right now

“What do you need today?”
“What would support look like this week?”
“Do you want to talk about it, or would it help to have a distraction?”

Why it helps: divorce is a moving target. What they need today may change tomorrow.

3) Offer a choice: listen vs. help think through options

One of the most helpful questions you can ask is:

“Do you want me to listen, or do you want me to help think through some options?”

Why it helps: it prevents the classic mistake—jumping into advice when they just needed to be heard.

4) Normalize how hard it is

“This is a lot.”
“You’re not crazy for feeling all over the place.”
“It makes sense you’re exhausted.”
“This would shake anyone.”

Why it helps: people often feel embarrassed that they’re not “handling it better.” Normalizing lowers self-judgment.

5) Notice effort and “small wins”

When someone is drowning, “small” things aren’t small.

“I’m proud of you for showing up today.”
“You handled a lot this week.”
“Even getting through today counts.”

Why it helps: progress during divorce often looks like survival. Not motivation. Not productivity. Survival.

What NOT to say to someone going through divorce (even if you mean well)

A lot of comments that sound encouraging can make someone feel more alone, more ashamed, or more confused.

Here are the big categories to avoid—plus what to do instead.

1) Don’t rush them to “move on”

Avoid:

“You’ll be fine.”
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“You just need to move on.”
“At least…”

Why it hurts: it skips over the reality of grief and loss. It can feel like, “Your pain is inconvenient.”

Try instead:

“This is heavy. I’m here with you.”
“You don’t have to be okay yet.”

2) Don’t give rapid-fire advice or conflicting instructions

Avoid:

“You should move.”
“Don’t move.”
“Get a lawyer.”
“Don’t get a lawyer.”
“You should fight.”
“You should let it go.”

Why it hurts: people in divorce are already overwhelmed. Advice often adds pressure and confusion.

Try instead:

“Do you want to talk it out, or would you like help thinking through options?”
“What feels like the next right step for you?”

3) Don’t take sides (even if you think you know the story)

This one is huge.

It’s tempting to villainize the other person. Or to interrogate: “What happened?” “Who did what?” “Were they cheating?”

Why it hurts: you may not know the whole story, and going all-in on blame can lock your friend into a narrative that keeps them stuck.

Try instead:

“I’m sure there’s a lot to this. I’m here for you.”
“What’s the hardest part right now?”
“What do you want your life to look like on the other side of this?”

4) Don’t push them into dating or “replacing” the relationship

Avoid:

“Have you tried dating?”
“You need to get back out there.”
“The best way to get over someone…”

Why it hurts: it can feel dismissive—like the relationship didn’t matter, or their grief is taking too long.

Try instead:

“There’s no rush. I’m here.”
“Let’s just focus on getting you through this week.”

Practical ways to help a friend through divorce (that actually make a difference)

Words matter—but practical support is often what people remember most, especially when life is chaotic.

Here are concrete ways to help without being intrusive:

Offer specific help (not vague)

Instead of “Let me know if you need anything,” try:

“I can drop off dinner Tuesday or Thursday—what’s easier?”
“Want me to take the kids for two hours this weekend?”
“I can help you make a list of what has to happen next—no pressure, just a brain-dump.”
“I’m going to the store. What can I grab for you?”
“Do you want company while you pack / make calls / handle paperwork?”

Specific offers reduce the emotional load of asking.

Help them get through the “heavy logistics”

Divorce is emotional—but it’s also relentlessly practical:

moving boxes
meals
child care
errands
yard work
rides to appointments
help setting up a new apartment
sitting with them while they do hard tasks

When everything feels heavy, practical support is love.

How to support someone going through divorce without burning out

If you’ve ever supported someone in a hard season, you know this: you can care deeply and still get tired.

That doesn’t make you a bad friend. It makes you human.

A few ways to stay steady without collapsing:

Be consistent, not intense.
A short check-in every week beats one long emotional rescue.
Don’t become their only support.
Encourage multiple supports (friends, family, groups, professional help if needed).
Know your limits.
You can say: “I care about you a lot, and I want to support you. I can talk for 15 minutes tonight—do you want to use that time to vent or make a plan for this week?”

Boundaries don’t reduce love. They protect it.

Simple text messages you can send (copy/paste)

If you want the “what do I text them?” list—here you go.

When you don’t know what to say

“I’m thinking about you today. You don’t have to reply—I just want you to know you’re not alone.”

When they’re overwhelmed

“This is a lot. Do you want me to listen, or help you think through options?”

When they’re ashamed or embarrassed

“You don’t have to hold it together with me. I care about you, not the story.”

When you want to offer practical help

“I can drop off dinner this week. Would Tuesday or Thursday help more?”

When they keep apologizing for being emotional

“You never have to apologize for having a normal response to something painful.”

FAQs

What is the best way to support someone going through divorce?

Be consistent, listen without trying to fix it, avoid taking sides, offer specific practical help, and help them get connected to structured support so they’re not carrying this alone.

What do you say to a friend going through divorce?

Keep it simple: “I’m here.” “That sounds really painful.” “Do you want me to listen or help think through options?” “What would support look like this week?”

What should you avoid saying to someone getting divorced?

Avoid minimizing (“at least…”), rushing (“move on”), excessive advice (“you should…”), dating pressure, and side-taking or gossip. Those usually increase shame and confusion.

How do you help someone going through separation when they won’t talk?

Stay gently consistent: short check-ins, specific offers, and low-pressure presence. Don’t force conversation—make it safe for them to open up when they’re ready.