One of the things none of us ever expected to have to face when we were young adults wearing custom-fitted, rose-colored glasses was leaving a marriage. We've had no training in how to do it although most of us have had the misfortune to observe how not to do it, up close and personal.
When our children are still at home the process becomes a great deal harder. Divorce already looms as nearly impossible without our having to face the fact that we don't know how to cope with our offspring's present and future trauma, brought about by our mistakes.
What brings each person to the point of no return in a marriage is too complicated to accept generalization. We all have different tolerances for despair and even abuse. Long ago I read a book, whose title and author have both since dimmed, that involved a study of how individuals define a good marriage. The incredibly varying answers stretched from a description of what most of us would see as terminal co-dependency to the candid response that it is when no one cares any longer and peace reigns. That said, now that we have come to The End, what do we do next?
One of the greatest deterrents to being able to face the music is the loss of self-esteem. The person who has lost identity in a non-supportive marriage, or who entered marriage already in that state only to have it go from bad to worse, often has no idea how to move to higher, safer ground. All too often, lack of self-worth in one or both partners keeps a pathological union in place.
If a crutch is needed to be able to move on and that crutch is a new "romance" for one of the partners, we are looking at double-trouble. It may be a way to leave but it comes with baggage galore and usually takes things into a war zone. A triangle is formed. The spouse and children who are being left behind will feel doubly abandoned and have an "enemy" to focus on. That's not a wise way to approach dissolution when it's an eventuality.
In the triangle situation, the person leaving has reduced all future options to an either/or choice…while at the same time being in no condition, emotionally, to know what could or should come next. How often have we seen the disastrous results of an "out of the frying pan into the fire" solution?
However, the need for a crutch may be very real and even necessary. When that happens…it's time to seek-out wise, unbiased friends, (which may be hard to find), and/or a good counselor to provide some much needed support and direction. If things have gone way past reconciliation, then someone to help steer the ship through troubled waters could make all the difference.
- Related Articles
- Related Q&A
- FAILED MARRIAGES, ONE DIVORCE TOO MANY: By Chris Okafor
- Why Second Marriages are More Likely to Fail: the Challenges of Blending Families
- Dr Commander Selvam Siddhar - Hindu marriages / Indian Marriage Problems & Solutions
- A Definition of Marriage and Divorce
- Common Marriage Problems - Jealousy
- Your future children would like you to be a doctor
- Children and Divorce - Protecting Custodial Rights
- Should I Stay in An Unhappy Marriage for the Sake of My Children?




~~tips To Help Cope With A Break Up~~
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010May be you were dating for a couple of months, in a long relationship or marital, breaking up is challenging to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be confident to leave of your drape without breaking down in crying. Few know just how you sense right now. Read their tips on getting over him and getting along with your life.
~~*~~ Get Over A Break Up In 30 Days ~~*~~
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010Whether you were dating for a couple of weeks, in a lasting relationship or marital, breaking up is challenging to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be capable to get off of your drape without going in tears. Few know exactly how you feel right now. Read their tips on getting over him and coming along with your life.
~~getting Over A Break Up~~
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010May be you were dating for a couple of days, in a long relationship or married, break up is hard to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be confident to depart of your gown without breaking down in tears. Few people know precisely how you feeling right now. Read their tips on getting over him and getting along with your life.
Get Over Break Up
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010Whether you were going out for a few days, in a long-term relationship or married, breaking up is tough to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be able to get out of your robe without dying in tears. Few know precisely how you feeling right now. Read their tips on getting over him and getting along with your life.
~~*~~ Best Forget A Break Up ~~*~~
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010May be you were going out for a couple of days, in a long relationship or marital, breaking up is challenging to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be confident to exit of your robe without going in tears. Few individuals know just how you sense right now. Read their tips on getting over him and coming along with your life.
~~*~~ Helping Someone Forget A Break Up ~~*~~
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010Whether you were dating for a few months, in a long-term relationship or married, breaking up is tough to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be confident to get out of your robe without going in crying. Few people know just how you sense right now. Read their tips on getting over him and getting along with with your life.
~the Best Way To Forget A Break Up ~
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010Whether you were seeing your ex for a couple of weeks, in a long-term relationship or married, break up is awful to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be efficient to depart of your robe without going in tears. Few individuals know precisely how you feeling right now. Read their tips on getting over him and coming along with your life.
How To Forget A Hard Break Up
By: Kim Clay | 04/01/2010Whether you were going out for a few days, in a long-term relationship or married, breaking up is tough to do. The good news is that life does get better. Finally, you will be able to get out of your robe without dying in tears. Few know precisely how you feeling right now. Read their tips on getting over him and getting along with your life.
Blaming Others for the Roadblocks in our Lives May Be a Way to Stay Stuck
By: Luise Volta | 04/01/2007 | MotivationalOur problems with others that stop us need to be addressed either alone or with a counselor so we can take action and move on.
What Are Food Supplements All About and How Can We Educate Ourselves on this Subject
By: Luise Volta | 19/12/2006 | FitnessThere are ways to investigate food supplements without falling prey to hype and misdirection.
Christmas Shopping Doesn't Have to be a Grueling Experience if We Approach it Methodically
By: Luise Volta | 08/12/2006 | AdviceMake way for enlightenment! Christmas shopping can cost less, take less time and be more fun.
We Often Don't Notice our Accumulation of Possessions Until They Take Us Over and Possess Us
By: Luise Volta | 07/12/2006 | AdviceIt's possible to take on the task of downsizing in a systematic manner so that we can end "stuff-itis" and create comfort in our homes and lives.
How Can We Approach a Necessary Divorce Wisely and Well
By: Luise Volta | 02/12/2006 | MarriageMost of us don't know how to end a marriage contract we have held as permanent. It may be wise to get help from someone who does know.
What Can Be Done About Our Inability to Feel Comfortable When We're Alone
By: Luise Volta | 02/12/2006 | MarriageThe time to work through building a stronger self-image is before we are alone and need to fend for ourselves.
When Seniors Remarry Late in Life What is Different and What Pitfalls Could Be Avoided
By: Luise Volta | 12/11/2006 | MarriageIs isn't necessarily easy for single seniors to hit the dating scene, pick a new mate and live happily-ever-after
We Need to Address Clutter at Home and at Work, Otherwise it Can Become a Real Block in Our Lives
By: Luise Volta | 22/10/2006 | AdviceClutter can be controlled if it is approached sanely. When it can't be, get help.