Deciding whether or not to divorce can be one of the hardest decisions any parent will ever have to make. People often feel they should stay together for the kids, and concerned relatives might also tell you that you should.
Yes, divorce will have some negative effects on your children, but that doesn’t mean it’s the wrong thing to do. Whether to stay together or move to end your marriage is a decision only you can make, and everyone’s circumstances are different.
Here are some things to consider:
Staying married might be worse for the kids
Children notice things. They notice if dinner-time conversations have become tense, if a parent tries to hide the fact they are crying or if their parents have heated discussions when they (the children) are meant to be asleep. Witnessing this can be difficult for children, and if divorce spares them from such scenes, it may be for the best. Unhappy marriages don’t miraculously get better, and the resultant conflict and its effect on the children will likely only worsen with time.
Unhappy parents are not at their best for the children
Being in a marriage that is not working can take a huge mental toll on each spouse. That can leave them with less energy, time and patience for their children. While each parent will get to see less of their children after a divorce, they may be in a better place to make it quality time.
If you are considering divorce, seek legal help to understand more about how child custody will work.
