Most Arkansas residents know how hard getting a divorce can be for most couples. In addition to the legal and financial challenges of divorce, many couples are also dealing with the natural grief and emotions that follow divorce.
Despite this, couples can work past their feelings to have a relatively painless divorce. If they’re willing to at least try, the whole divorce process becomes much less painful.
How to communicate calmly with your spouse
It’s easy to get caught up in emotions and say something you might regret. These moments where emotions get in the way can make it difficult to come to a compromise or move forward in the process.
That’s why it’s important to follow the empathic process when communicating with your spouse or even your children during the divorce process. Generally, this can look like:
• Treating your conversation partner with respect
• Paying attention to your partner’s feelings
• Don’t say hurtful things or react in anger/frustration
• Agree to disagree, but still work together
This way of communication might not come easy at first. Even if you and your spouse stumble, it’s important to keep working towards calm communication.
Practice being empathetic and calm
Even when you’re not actively talking with your spouse, you can practice being empathetic and calm. It’s important to avoid being passive-aggressive or talking behind your spouse’s back.
You’ll want to model the behavior you want your spouse and children to display during the divorce. Generally, you want to model behavior that encourages compromise and mutual understanding.
This means being calm even when it’s hard. Some people reach out to counseling – both solo and family counseling – to make this process easier.
Be ready to compromise
A huge part of the divorce is coming to a compromise with your spouse – especially when you have children. Being willing to give a little bit and see your spouse’s perspective can go a long way, even if you might not get the result you originally wanted.
It’s easy to let emotions get in the way. But even the most challenging marriages can end amicably if the couple is willing to work together.