Hi guys, my friend suggested trying mumsnet for advice so here I am. Any help would be really gratefully received!
My mom recently confided in me and expressed her wish to go separate ways from my dad. They care for eachother alot but are very different people and their everyday life has become too much for her as they rub eachother up the wrong way.
Myself and siblings are adults in our thirties. We are all together in supporting them BOTH and will do whatever we can. My mom is very worried, as are all us siblings, how my dad will take this as she has not had this conversation with him yet. When my mom has had conversations with him in the past, he has expressed a will to change and work on things, so we know he will not want the outcome of separation.
He is very set in his ways and doesn’t like any small changes to his routine let alone a life changing thing like this. He shuts down and goes within at any sign of confrontation and never shares his feelings. He doesn't confide in anyone and so we are worried how he will deal with this news and how willing he is to accept any support to help him emotionally or otherwise through this.
Does anyone have any advice or resources on how us siblings can approach/mediate this conversation with my dad once my mom has had the chat with him? We don’t want to come across like we are taking sides or been talking and plotting this behind his back (as when she has the conversation with him, he will figure out that she has already spoken about this with us) as this is not the case at all. We are here to help both of them and stay as impartial as we can.
Also does anyone know any resources on finding out what my parents options are financially? They are both retired and own their home. Not sure they could afford to live in separate homes, even after selling.
Many thanks in advance.