We Can Do Hard Things: Avery McGuire- Divorce

Meet Avery.

After being married for 9.5 years, Avery decided that divorcing her husband was the best thing for her to do. She had contemplated it many times over the course of her marriage, but was always too worried about leaving. She didn't realize while she was in the marriage there were actions that were breaking her down and tearing her apart. Though the past nine months living as a single parent has been difficult, Avery has become an inspiration as she’s found herself and took flight. 

(Avery and her daughter, Avah)

Q: I’ve struggled knowing what to say to friends who have experienced a divorce, are there any comments that you’ve found helpful?

• "It will eventually get easier."
• "Things will settle, you will look back and see how far you've come."
• "I'm here for you!"
• "You are enough."
• "Someday you are going to find a guy who is going to show you the love you deserve."
• "Kids are strong, they bounce back quickly."

Q: I truly believe people mean well, but are there any comments that came across as hurtful?

• Who's fault was it? “It doesn’t matter who caused the divorce or who decided to initiate it. A family was just broken apart.”
• At least you get a break from being a mom..... “I don’t want a break, I love being a mom! Yes, sometimes it is exhausting but its different choosing to be away from your children and being told you can't be with them.”

Q: What are some helpful things people did for you after your divorce? 

• “I appreciated when people wrote me a note and let me know they were thinking of me. It helped realize I wasn’t alone.”
• “Friends showed up with a funny movie to watch, LOTS of twizzle berry was eaten in the first few months because friends would take me out to yogurt, and Girls weekend with my Best Friends from High School.”
• “People bringing me dinner or inviting me over for dinner, in the beginning when I was alone, I wouldn't eat or I would eat cereal for dinner most nights.”
• “I don’t like asking for help, so people who stopped by and brought me things. Like groceries, home decor, and new bedding meant the world to me! I loved when I could get rid of the stuff I had with my ex. I still don't have a knife block and you don't realize how many things you need once you don't have them.”

Gift Idea: Avery mentioned how much a note meant to her. Whether you want to send a card in the mail, or drop off dinner and attach a note to let them know you’re thinking of them, Miss Audrey Sue created this inspiring printable card. It prints off to be a 5x7 card.