How Staying in a Bad Marriage Could Be Worse For Your Kids Than Divorce

 Posted on March 15, 2019 in Divorce

One of the things that holds back many couples from divorcing is the children. Many parents worry and wonder what kind of effects the divorce would have on their children, even if they know that a divorce would be best for their personal wellbeing. In reality, many parents do not know that staying in an unhappy marriage can actually be more detrimental to a child’s wellbeing than divorce. Here are a few ways as to how staying in an unhappy marriage could harm your children:

Chronic Stress and Tension

If you are feeling the stress at home, then your children probably are too. Constant fighting or bickering can mean chronic tension in the home and that is not good for anyone. Your children will feel it and will feel uneasy in their own home.

Low Self-Esteem

Children absorb everything around them. When their surroundings are full of fighting and rejection, children tend to internalize that, which turns into low self-esteem. Constantly being at odds with your spouse can cause your child to feel uncertain and rejected.

A Sense of Responsibility for a Parent’s Unhappiness

Children often do not understand the conflict between their parents. It is only natural for children to internalize the things surrounding them. Many times, the result that comes from children internalizing conflict between parents is that they feel as if it is somehow their fault that their parents are unhappy and always fighting.

Mood and Behavior Problems

This can be a rather disturbing result of staying in an unhappy marriage. Childhood distress can manifest into chronic mood and behavioral issues. Children who grow up with unhappy but married parents often act out in school and show signs of chronic depression. These things can manifest into other issues later in life, like substance abuse and personality disorders.

A DuPage County Divorce Lawyer Can Help

Parents often worry about their children, no matter if they are getting a divorce or not. The reality is that children are flexible, and they will adapt to change rather quickly. If you are staying in your marriage because you think a divorce would be worse for your children, it may actually be the opposite. Talking to an experienced Wheaton, IL child custody lawyer may help ease some of your worries about divorce. At the Goostree Law Group, we can help you deal with all aspects of your divorce, including issues involving your children like child custody and child support. Call us today at 630-364-4046 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/7-ways-you-can-damage-your-kids-by-staying-in-a-bad-marriage_n_573b4845e4b0646cbeeaf9a9

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-kids-call-the-shots/201703/why-bad-marriages-are-worse-kids-divorce