Making the decision to get divorced can already be hard enough. However, you’ll also have to prepare to deal with your ex during the divorce itself. If you have an angry ex, you might run into some more trouble than you expected. However, there are some ways you can get a handle on their behavior…
Angry Ex: How To Handle Them
Try to be empathetic
When you’re dealing with an angry ex, it can be tempting to fight fire with fire. However, in these situations, try to remember when their anger might be coming from. Usually, their anger might be stemming from the sadness or grief which they feel over the divorce. As they try and process what’s going on, they may not handle it the best.
Therefore, it helps to try and be empathetic towards your ex. Letting them know how you understand why they feel the way they do can help them see the reality of the situation. It might not get rid of their anger, but it can help to deescalate then tension between the both of you.
Communicate effectively
One of the hardest things about an angry ex is how difficult it can be to talk to them. They may ignore you, rebuff you, or try and escalate things to the point where you get fed up. That’s why you have to make sure your communication skills are ready and focused on the right things.
Try to keep your conversations focused and to-the-point. Don’t get hung up on tangents, and especially avoid any talk about touchy subjects, like your marriage. Make sure your requests or points are clear, and that you try to avoid any harsh or negative language. You might want to get a second opinion from a friend about what you want to say, to see if it’s okay.
Keep clear boundaries
Understand that you don’t just have to let your angry ex yell and attack you. In fact, it’s totally acceptable to tell your ex that you won’t talk to them if they only plan to yell or berate you. This can help them realize that their behavior won’t help them in the end.
