If your late 20s/early 30s child told you they were getting divorced, what would your reaction be?

[Anonymous]

I am particularly curious to hear from parents who are still married.

Typical/boring reasons for considering it (feeling like they made a mistake, they're incompatible, they don't love their spouse)

[Anonymous]

Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

Really helpful, thank you! Do you feel good about yourself for sharing that?

And...no one in this scenario got married earlier than their 20s(?)

[Anonymous]

If my child came to me and said they were getting a divorce, I would ask why? But, no matter what the reason, I would be supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

Really helpful, thank you! Do you feel good about yourself for sharing that?

And...no one in this scenario got married earlier than their 20s(?)

Just ignore. People who respond in that way are deeply unhappy.

I would be sad, OP. I love my DIL so much. It would be a tough situation. I'm not sure what you can do other than just being available to listen.

Also, to the unkind PP - My DH and I got married at 22. We are 50. I know many, many couples just like us. I also know people who married in their 30s and are divorced.

[Anonymous]

Is this a short first marriage with no kids? Lots of those fail. There is still time to start over and have a long, successful marriage. Many people in this age group have a first serious relationship that doesn’t last. These days, most don’t actually get married, so there isn’t an actual divorce. Your kid isn’t so different from his/her peers, just happened to make it legal and now has to make it in-legal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

Really helpful, thank you! Do you feel good about yourself for sharing that?

And...no one in this scenario got married earlier than their 20s(?)

Honestly, if that's the case OP they couldn't have been married for more than 3-5 years then. I'd be mad if I contributed any funds to their wedding but you know your children better than any of us, so.

[Anonymous]

I reacted to the first one with an amazing amount of sadness. The second child was left and traumatized when the spouse had an affair. It has been a tough 7 years after both had meaningful relationships with their spouses and beautiful ceremonies. I hope they will be happy in the future.

[Anonymous]

I would ask what they need/how I can help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

Really helpful, thank you! Do you feel good about yourself for sharing that?

And...no one in this scenario got married earlier than their 20s(?)

Honestly, if that's the case OP they couldn't have been married for more than 3-5 years then. I'd be mad if I contributed any funds to their wedding but you know your children better than any of us, so.

You sound like a peach.

[Anonymous]

I would ask them if they are ok and is there anything I can do to help, especially if there are kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

You don’t know anyone who married in their 20s? How odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

Really helpful, thank you! Do you feel good about yourself for sharing that?

And...no one in this scenario got married earlier than their 20s(?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

You don’t know anyone who married in their 20s? How odd.

+1 I am 27, grew up I. Westchester, NY and have split my adult life betweeen NYC and DC (all this to say I am not from the Midwest, South, etc) and have plenty of friend my age who are married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you get married so young in the first place? I don't know anyone in our social circle (except grandparents) who got married in their twenties or earlier.

Christ, what an asshole.