What do you do when one of your friends starts making unwise life decisions?

1. 72

   cjcarterposted 12 years ago

   What do you do when one of your friends starts making unwise life decisions?

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2. 57

   lovelypaperposted 12 years ago

   I gently try to reason with them by starting off with "I'm saying this because I care.." or something like that.  Sometimes you can't reason with someone but at least you know, by talking to them you've tried. Maybe your words will come to their remembrance and they will come around.

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3. 77

   JEDIJESSICUHposted 12 years ago

   I can't stop my friend from making the choices he or she is going to make. I can give them all the advice in the world, but if they want to do something, they're not going to listen. It's human nature to want to save your friend from doing something stupid, but it's also human nature for them to want to do it anyway.

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4. 80

   Ania Lposted 12 years ago

   Let them - who am I in the end to judge what is good and what is not for them? I can decide for myself but I'm not in their shoes.
   Besides if they are adults they can take responsibility for their own life and it's their right to suffer if they want or make mistakes. If we made no mistakes we would never learn.

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5. 94

   MsDoraposted 12 years ago

   First check yourself to make sure that your attitude toward your friend is right.  Then assume the position that your opinion concerning your friend's decision could be wrong.  Finally, have a heart-to-heart talk with your friend making it clear that you have the friend's interest at heart (if that is the case).  Now back off and pray that your friend will follow the right course.

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6. 60

   Rhoda Talisaysayposted 12 years ago

   I will just smile and hug for we can be unwise sometimes.... no one is perfect.

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7. 59

   jake13edwardposted 12 years ago

   If you trust your friend you just tell him what hes doing is wrong and if he doesnt listen just tell him hes making the wrong choice.

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8. 63

   Rastamermaidposted 12 years ago

   I'll ask to make sure they know what their doing and the reprecussions of their actions.  Then I sit back and watch the trainwreck,then I pick them up,dust them off and we'll keep it moving.

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9. 0

   Indigitalposted 12 years ago

   Depends who the friend is. I only have a close circle of friends I actually "care" about - others are just pub friends, etc.
   
   With the 10 I care about I can quite simply tell them they're doing this wrong and try to explain why it is wrong. If they decide against it, then it's their option, although I'm not going to support it and I'll probably bring it up many times whilst drunk. If they choose to take my advice (which rarely happens!) then I find they're more thankful then annoyed. Possibly because the conclusion was better than the dilemma they were in.

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10. 61

    Smart is Goodposted 12 years ago

    I would try to advice them to do better, as a friend you are concerned because you care and want your friends to be happy by making the right choices in life. Sometimes we learn with mistakes, but If this friend won't even try to hear your advice... well you're not their mum; you tried your best but you're not gonna be by her ear telling him/her what to do.

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11. 87

    CZCZCZposted 12 years ago

    Tell them straight up.  If it is someone you have been friends with a long time, dont try and coddle them, give them the real deal that is what good friends are supposed to be there for, give you the real deal with no BS.  But if they continue you have to wait and be there to help when they need you the most to pick them up from failing hard.  Dont burn the bridge when bringing up the issue, but you shouldn't hide like you dont know whats going on.

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12. 72

    Naomi's Bannerposted 12 years ago

    Hopefully you are a good enough friend you can talk to them about it.  If they refuse to listen to you at least you won't have the guilt that you could have done something and didn't.  The next step would be prayer.

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13. 60

    Through My Lensposted 12 years ago

    I recently wrote a hub about this one! lol At the end of the day, a person is going to make whatever decision they want to. Thoughtfully share your thoughts and then le them do what they do.

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14. 68

    thebookmomposted 12 years ago

    If you are really a good friend you kindly tell them what you're noticing and ask lots of questions about their thought/reasoning behind the decision to try and understand them better.

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