Announcing bad news sometimes requires a certain amount of finesse and skill. For your sake, you probably want to break the news about a divorce as gracefully as possible. But how?
How do you tell the various people in your life that your marriage is ending?
How to tell people
There are many different techniques and methods you could use to announce or break the news about divorce. It will be up to you to ultimately decide which one to use.
A few methods people have used before are:
- Separate phone calls
- Facebook or other social media announcements
- Mass emails
- Including it in holiday cards
- Brought up in casual conversation
- Using a proxy or gatekeeper (such as a close friend or relative)
- Formal divorce announcement (like a wedding invitation, but the opposite)
Whichever method you choose, there are a few other tips you might want to use to help the news go over more smoothly.
Preparing beforehand can make the announcement less awkward. You may want to have a general idea of what you want to say and what types of answers you want to give in response to the inevitable questions, if you are choosing to announce in person, on the phone or even online. Be ready to explain the reasons behind your divorce to friends and family. Or be ready to skillfully avoid answering questions that might seem too personal.
You might even want to prepare for potential reactions people may have. Chances are people will show sympathy. They might be curious about the situation. Remember, divorce is extremely personal and you are not obligated to explain or provide more information than you are comfortable with. Be firm with your answers and stand up for yourself.
What about your kids?
While you may feel better about breaking the news to most people in your life, telling your kids is an entirely different process.
Your kids are the most involved and will probably feel the most affected by the news. There are a few methods and tips you can use for this specific conversation.
This is one of the more important conversations you will have about your divorce so do not under-prepare for it.
Going through a divorce is emotionally and mentally challenging. Telling people the news is one of the first steps in a long process. But with preparation and support, it does not have to be traumatic.
