Part 2

NEVER threaten, say or even think divorce.

Don't let it be an option.  It's as simple as that.

Because the truth is divorce is ugly.  It's painful and awful and will have lifelong consequences.  And no matter what anyone says, it is not better for the kids.  Don't believe me, then check out the statistics on these web sites:
                  http://www.children-and-divorce.com/children-divorce-statistics.html
                  http://www.smartmarriages.com/divorce_brief.html

Just to name a few, children from divorced homes (which happen to be 1/2 the kids in North America) are much more likely to get poor grades, have bad health & serious emotional problems, go to prison, commit suicide, have failed marriages, etc.  And amazingly enough, children from divorced homes have more psychological problems then children from homes in which one parent has died.

And that's just talking about the kids.  In one study on loneliness (defined as 'absence of satisfying social relationships') those who were married were by far the lowest % with 4.6.  Never married was next at over 14% and those who were divorced, widowed or separated were all over 20%.


So please, don't ever think of divorce as a quick fix or a way to start with a 'clean slate'.  It's not and will never be.


Instead, think of marriage as a gift.  An opportunity to learn and mature and grow up and stop being so darn selfish!  There, I said it.  That's the bottom line.  Sometimes you just need to give yourself a good kick in the bum and realize, it's not about me!  (gasp, NOOOOOO!)  And then have a good cry, eat a tub of chocolate ice cream with delicious caramel fudge swirls, and get over it.   (And, if you're a slow learner like me, this may need to be repeated every few years)

So there you go.  That's my take on marriage.
If yours is broken, start repairing it.
If it's okay, make it better.
If it's great, maintain the greatness.
If it's perfect, just wait til you get home from your honeymoon;)

Fight for your marriage.  Fight for the marriages of your friends.

Be PRO-MARRIAGE


*The above article is not meant to address marital situations involving abuse or danger.  If you are being threatened or abused by your spouse please seek immediate help from a profession.