Resources for helping family deal with divorce

August 21, 2010 7:41 PM

My brother's wife is leaving him, and it is hitting the whole extended family hard. None of us seem to know how to support him or how to deal with the depression that has resulted. Can anyone point us towards resources like books or websites to help this close extended family deal with this painful time and learn to support him and the young kids?
posted by anonymous to Human Relations (3 answers total)

I'm sorry to hear of your news.

divorcecare.org. You can put in your zip code and find a group near you. Usually held at a church, but you don't need to attend there to go to the group.

Larger groups will also have a specific group for kids.
posted by devbrain at 7:52 PM on August 21, 2010

Not sure how young the young kids are, but some great picture books are:

It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear

Mama and Daddy Bear's Divorce

Charlie Anderson

Also, Grandparents and Divorce
posted by Wuggie Norple at 4:28 AM on August 22, 2010

When I was getting divorced, I should have asked my family for more hands-on support. If possible, maybe people can offer to watch the kids so your brother can get out to do things or go for a run, bring over some comfort-type casseroles, invite him out to do things so he isn't staying at home feeling miserable, take the kids out to do something fun, stuff like that.

It seems like you're being very supportive and that's great. Since you mentioned extended family, if necessary, appoint yourself (or someone) as the point person for updates to be passed along to the family. I know that I got very weary of repeating sad details to my sister, mom, grandma, etc.
posted by dzaz at 1:58 PM on August 22, 2010 [1 favorite]