My boyfriend and his friend actually have a term for this:
"BABY ON FIRE!!!"
Basically, when a girl is crying, they know they're supposed to do SOMETHING, but don't know WHAT, and so end up panicing and doing the mental equivalant of running around screaming. Fortunately, they don't do the screaming part LITERALLY - anymore, at least. ^-~
Now, for the helpful part:
1. BE THERE FOR HER
Most girls in my experience appriciate physical presence more than most guys in my experience can ever understand. Demonstrating mental presence ups that appriciation and helpfullness. Do do the latter...
2. Practice
Active ListeningBasically, active listening is PROVING you're hearing what she's saying, as well as confirming you're UNDERSTANDING what she's saying. Easiest way to do this:
- Keep comfortable eye contact. If she looks away, let her; otherwise, focus on her.
- Repeat what she's saying in your own words. "And he says he'd rather be friends with [X]!" "You're joking? He actually wants to go out with [X]???"
- Keep asking that you're hearing her right, especially if you're worried you're lost. "It sounds like you're feeling like... Am I right?"
3. Validate her emotions
You don't have to agree with everything she's feeling. But try to keep track of the emotions she's feeling by active listening, and let her know she has a reason to feel that way. If you think she shouldn't be feeling so angry/sad/whatever, offer suggestions on what to do (If you have any), unless this gets bad responses (It can! Seriously!). But she has a REASON, even if you don't understand it, and at that moment she needs to be reassured she's not being a complete idiot for feeling that way.
This is NOT as hard as it probably sounds. Actually, a lot of this just what AD said, filtered through my Communication and Counselling class. Chances are, you're already doing most of this, especially if she keeps turning to you for comfort. The trick is paying ATTENTION to what you're doing.
As for the relationship part: Be her friend. Invite her to movies or lunch, with friends or just you two "to hang out". Don't try to speed up the relationship. Just keep being with her, talking with her, and sharing with her. If it's supposed to happen, she'll start to notice you as a guy, and not a "guy friend". If not, don't ruin a relationship that obviously means so much to you! All else fails, she'll be a great companion for when you DO find something that's into you.
You both deserve the best! Fight for it, and if she starts crying, nod, look concerned, let her talk, and agree with anything she says that's not too outrageous.
"Yes, he's a *BLEEP*. Yes, he should have certain body parts rot and fall off. No, we should not toilet paper his house. Yes, ice cream is a good idea right now."
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