I have lots of these right now - the friend who's struggling to find herself... another who is going through a divorce and can't find the strength to keep going...my MIL who is dealing with medical issues with my FIL... I just feel helpless... I think they are getting the help they need, but I just want to do something to make it all better...what to do?
2007-11-01 08:50:11 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
Furious... you rock... and you DO know... ((((Furious)))) just for being you!
2007-11-01 10:27:47 · update #1
I know precisely how you feel. All we can do is be available with a shoulder, a sympathetic ear, and objective advice when it's asked for.
2007-11-01 09:18:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those are all really good answers, I'd try all of them. I think the biggest issue people face when they are going through a crisis is that others don't really know what to do, so they don't do anything at all. And so those that are in crisis begin to feel that everyone has abandoned them. Stay close. Offer to cook one meal a week or do some housework for your MIL whose husband is ill, plan a girl's night out with the divorcee, take a class at the local community college with the friend who's trying to find herself. These are all positive solutions that may or may not have an overall impact on how someone makes it through their crisis, but at least you are trying to do something to ease the burden, and it will make you feel better that you are helping out in the best way you can.
2007-11-01 09:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by Rob B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do something practical-take your struggling friend out for a night of fun-help the divorcing one by taking on some chores for her/him-take a prepared meal to the MIL with the ill FIL.
2007-11-01 09:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by PrivacyNowPlease! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're never helpless, but you may not be able to actively spare anyone from their experiences (no more than they can spare you from yours). You can always pray, and faith-based prayer is an enormous force for good. And you can be supportive by listening whenever they need to talk; sometimes a listening ear makes all the difference between a person giving up or hanging in there for one more day. Sometimes God works His miracles through us....usually not in the cinematically bombastic ways but in simple sparks placed within our hearts. Faith links you to a power-network; be willing to be the miracle.
2007-11-01 09:44:10 · answer #4 · answered by Captain S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just be there. That's really all you can do unless a situation arises where you can actually "do" something - like help out around the house in your in-law's situation, watch the kids for your friend in the divorce (if she has kids), etc.
That's all I can think of. Good luck to you and to the people around you.
2007-11-01 09:07:15 · answer #5 · answered by Kiwi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like you said theres nothing you could really do.
its all out of your hands so let God do his work in them
all you can really do is comfort then and pray for them
2007-11-01 09:04:52 · answer #6 · answered by justkeepinitreal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be there when they need you. That's all you can do
2007-11-01 15:09:32 · answer #7 · answered by jonathan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋