How do I support my father going through this?

[hockysa]

Hi Forum,

 

I hope I'm posting in the right area mods please feel free to move if need be.

 

So my parents are divorced and have been for maybe 3 years now and everything has been relatively fine until my father found out that my mother has recently started dating someone.

 

I currently live and work overseas and am wanting to offer my support but am unsure of what to say or how to reply to some of his messages. He's understandably upset and going through the stages of grief and is I guess saying what he feels with no filter.

 

I am unsure of how to console or support him especially since I don't want to turn this into a battle where myself and my brothers are expected to take sides.

 

My biggest concern is that my youngest brother who still lives with my mother is having to deal with most of this. He's a good kid with a big heart and a much better person than I am and will be able to help my father better than I'll ever be able to but I still want to make sure I'm not just hand balling the difficult task and doing what I can to ease some of the pressure off him.

[d0nnivain]

Call him periodically & let him talk. Don't offer advice. Just be a listening ear.