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How can I be a supportive friend?
One of my close friends turns 18 in a month and plans on moving out. He's had a lot of family drama and wants to get away. I don't blame him for wanting to live somewhere else but I am afraid he is going to ruin his relationship with his whole family by making this decision. There are pros and cons that are too deep to get into, but I guess what I really need to know is, how can I be there for him?
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As long as you're generally just there for him,then that's all you really can do. Be there for him to cheer him up, give him an escape from his family for a little while.Just you being with him,and him being with close friends, will make him feel like he has an entirely different kind of family, the family that isn't blood related-but sometimes much deeper. Whether we like it or not, family stays with us forever. Getting away from the family can sometimes,more often then not, give you a stronger bond with them. Living in the same house as every one knows can make you nitpick at what every person does. I don't know his situation or what has happened, but I do know that when my sister moved out for the same reason, we actually all got along a lot better. She and my mom didn't get along at all,and now they talk on the phone every night. It's a deep wound that heals over time, but it does heal non the less. Him and his family will come out stronger in the end. You can tell him all of this, reassure that you'll always be there. Just make sure he knows where it is he'll be going and if he can make it on his own- that would be the only problem I can really think of,but if he can make it, so be it. Everyone's got to leave sometime anyway. I feel like I'm talking too much :P I hope I helped in some small way- good luck to you and your friend!
xkisakissx
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I have a friend who is 18 and I think she needs to move out but she does not want to for fear of ruining her relationship with her family. I have no idea what the specifics are for your friend but I think the best thing you can do right now is to express your concernes and then support him in whatever decision he decides to make. If you can help him do something that would make the transition smoother for his family (write a thank you letter, offer to give his parents some say in the matter, etc.) you could probobly help out that way. You could also try helping him by researching places to stay, looking for job openings, packing his stuff in boxes, etc. that would be a nice way of showing your support as well.
Good luck with everything.
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