Who can say? It's going to take as long as it takes. Just make sure you're there for him. If he feels that he can't deal with it, suggest talking to a counselor.

This is something that you are not in control of. Be there for him when he needs you, and gives him space when he needs it. The pain for him is something that is extremely great and he needs the time to grieve.

We can't take the blame for what other people do. Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Responding in the sad way that she did to something that happened to her is in no way his fault. As far as the grieving process, we all go through these steps in a different order and at a different rate. If you feel he is having difficulty coping which is affecting his ability to function and deal with what life throws our way, I agree, with the previous suggestion that counseling will help him get through this. And, it sounds like you are supporting him emotionally, also. Peace to you both. :)

will it take?... It takes different people various times to get over something like this. He will be dealing with all sorts of emotions, especially guilt. All you can do is be there for him and keep talking to him, listen to him and reassure him that there really was nothing he could do about it. When someone is in that frame of mind they don't care how it will affect others and his exes actions are unfortunately having a devastating effect on him. Counselling may help in this situation but generally time is the only thing that make it easier to live with. He'll never forget this but its a case of having to learn to live with the grief and guilt and helping him get on with his life. Christmas and New Year are especially hard times for those that are grieving and all you can do is support him. Send him txts, call him, just let him know that you are there. I recently lost my mum and the one thing that really helped me was trying to live a normal live - forgetting about what had happened and enjoying myself. I know its not the same but if you can bring some normality for him and try to get him to understand that she really wouldn't want him blaming himself and she would want him to get on with his life. I hope we've helped you, its an awful situation for all concerned.