---

[shell_1426]

Cancelled blog

[gemini3]

I think that your friends state of mind is common.  Remember that he is grieving the loss of his marriage, his family, and now (in his mind) his kids.  It's perfectly normally for someone who is going through this to feel depressed.

There really isn't anything that you can say to "make" him think positively.  The best thing you can do is stay out of the decision making process when it comes to his STBX and his kids.  It was his family, and they are his kids - and he's the one who will have to live with whatever decisions he makes right now.  Even if you feel like he's making the wrong decision - it's not your decision.

Just keep being a good friend.  Listen if he wants to talk, and don't talk about it if he doesn't.  He'll get through it.  But it's a long and emotionally draining road.