Many couples who have children opt not to get divorced because they believe that it is always better for the children if their parents are married and living together. They don’t want to harm the children in any way, so they stay together even though they are no longer happy in the marriage.
It’s important to note that it’s definitely not always better for parents to stay married. In many ways, divorce can be the better option.
How happy are the children?
What you want to think about is your children’s overall happiness. In a high-stress marriage due to things like abuse or financial issues, the children tend to experience a lot of this stress themselves. It can be very detrimental to them. Ending the marriage can decrease their stress and increase their happiness, making divorce the better option.
You may also want to think about how you can simply focus on being a parent after the divorce. You may see the children less often, but you get much more one-on-one time with them. When you have custody, you can really forge strong bonds and get to know them in a new way. Even though the initial split can be hard, many parents feel like they have better relationships with their children after they end their marriages. You do not have to be married to be a terrific parent.
Putting the children first in your divorce
If you do decide to get divorced, it’s important to put the children and their best interests first. The more you know about your legal options, the more you can focus on this goal.