Keep it together for the kids?

Parents often wonder if they should "just keep it together" until the kids grow up. We at the OurFamilyWizard website found expert information about just such a situation here.

The experts stated, "Don't bet waiting will make it easier on your kids. Eighteen is only a number arbitrarily assigned to adulthood – many kids really struggle with the changes associated with taking the next step after graduating from high school. Many have told us stories of desperation the first time they returned home from college for the holidays after Mom and Dad separated. Nothing was the same: There were two houses instead of one and they weren't sure where to stay, and sometimes relatives took sides; the child who was looking for some sense of normalcy after being away found only confusion."

Divorce is always a difficult transition. As children grow older they may learn to understand divorce better but that won't necessarily make it easier.

So what ultimately should parents do? The ex-perts recommend parents attend couples counseling and find ways to reduce conflict. If all else fails, divorce is likely the best solution.