I think staying in a marriage just for the kids' sake could potentially be even more damaging than a divorce. Every situation is different but when a couple has tried to make it work with counseling and there is still a toxic or abusive atmosphere then it's time to make a change. Kids would rather be around happy parents than fighting or non-communicative parents. When my partner and I decided to divorce our relationship actually improved dramatically and we are committed to being good co-parents. Our daughter is happier as well.

My divorce was the best thing I ever did for my son and myself.

It really does depend greatly on the two people involved. It doesn't do well to fight and poke at each other but if you can find a way to work out differences, turn it into a business deal and make it work without causing each other, and by extension the children unnecessary pain and confusion, then have at it. But if infighting and backstabbing and using the kids as pawns is going to be a daily way of life, a divorce would be better in the long run. Some seem to make it work but most people seem to let it get the better of them.

I tried to stay with my ex for the kids. But when you give someone one last chance not to lie or cheat or what ever and they do it multiple times with multiple people. Knowing they would lose everything, then that shows they didn't really care about you or keeping yalls family together. The kids will grow up and one day understand this. I am a child of divorce and have seen my mother go through quite a few of them. I would rather be a strong independent single mother than a cheated on dependent house wife. You feel me?

When the kids grow up , & leave the house , then get the divorce . That way , they will respect you more when you age . Unless your spouse is physically , or mentally abusive , & is a danger to you & yours , be an adult , & stick it out . It doesn't have to be forever . Maintaining a stable environment for them , is like staying in the kitchen , till dinner is done . Unless it's on fire , stay in it to be certain that it doesn't . When your children mature , they will understand , & thank you for your efforts .

You only live once, it's critical that you're happy for a good chunk of it. The scar on your children, if any significant scar at all, will be temporary.

Studies have shown that children of parents that only stay together for the sake of the kids are no better off than children of divorced parents.

I had to divorce my daughters moms both betrayed the essence of marriage and joint custody protected my daughters when they were with me and I got them counseling for them to cope with their bad moms.

All I can say is kids will know when things are wrong. Example: GF parents were cheating on each other but they stayed together because of their 3 teenage daughters. Lead me to believe that she was someone I could fall in love with but I could never love. Prior of her I had a fling with her older sister. Her kid sister had issues stealing boyfriends from her classmates. And she seemed as the normal one but She was living in an example of a bad marriage. I had to leave the smartest and one of the most beautiful women in my life. No Regret What So Ever. Never asked her next BF why he was So Mad at her. For those that stay together for the kids... you may be teaching them how to be miserable. My kids punished my wife and I for divorcing. Now they get worried when we have dinner or go dancing together. We dance better now than ever did when married but we don't cross lines. I will like to thing we taught our children how to handle a divorce and they were spared of a misery childhood.

Kids, no matter what age, deserve to be raised by people who can show them what loving yourself and being in a caring, loving relationship with someone else can mean... so whether you go it single or find a new partner, teach your children straight through their adulthood that you are important and your happiness matters. You wouldn't want them to grow up and stay with someone that made them unhappy, so don't teach them to accept mediocrity in this short life.

Partly I stayed for the kids, and partly I stayed because I didn't have skills to get a good job and support those kids. When I finally realized I had enough I got some education and then got the divorce going, the youngest was in HS. The kids now tell me I really stayed too long, but hind site is 20/20.

Every situation is different. Ordinarily I'd say splitting is going to be healthiest for everyone if the parents are no longer effectively partners. However, I had a college professor who divorced from her husband when their son was very young and they got remarried because their son couldn't handle it and even after an extended time was having severe emotional and behavioral problems. It sort of worked for them, and their son improved greatly after they were back together.

My girlfriend's daughter lived three year of "staying together for the kids". After so many nights of seeing her parents sleeping in different rooms /of not seeing them hugging each other / of "special" phone calls......OF MANY MOMENTS OF SILENCE....this sixteen y/o girl told her parents: "I can't take your s...t any longer. Get divorced, be happy and allow me to be happy." .

Children are sensitive to change and when that change is negative they often act out in some manner. Younger children often blame themselves, older children often act out in a negative way out of fear and insecurity.

It is unhealthy to stay together, there's too much history and intimate knowledge for it to work out. Come to an agreement on a co-parenting plan and go your separate ways. If there are issues then get help.

Honour your marriage vows.

Gee Lilie.... if you feel threatened you must leave. If your unhappy see marriage counseling. Give it all before you call it quits. If he's saying bad things to you...leave. if he's hurting you... leave. If he's a drunk...leave. if he's cheating on you...leave. only you can answer the amount of pain you want to deal with.

I had to distance my self because the kids mom is whacked in the head in order to save my kids from the government. It is tough alone but my kids are better off.

I waited till my handicapped daughter was 8. Her father started choking me on the floor, my daughter crawled over thinking we were playing, my German Shepherd also got on top thinking it was a game. Wish I had left sooner.

Staying together would be worse for the kids. They don't need to be around people
who are miserable.