There have been numerous news articles predicting or already tracking an increase in the divorce rate. Many attribute this to couples with rocky relationships getting pushed past their breaking point while sheltering in place. Nonetheless, a New York newspaper cites sources saying that some family law attorneys out there are being told “thanks, but no thanks” in following through with plans for divorce.
Signs that a spouse has found someone else
The current living situation for many families means that they have spent a lot of time quarantined together. Ideally, this shared adversity enables the family to grow closer. Still, living, working and sleeping in the same space can mean growing too close for comfort, perhaps offering new insights into a spouse.
What is financial abuse?
Couples often divorce because of money. It may be a matter where there are disagreements about spending and lifestyle versus how much to put towards retire or other long-term financial goals. Ideally, these are issues to be discussed before marriage or as it becomes time to buy homes and raise children. But communication at any time can help couples work towards an equitable solution
Couples face challenges when in quarantine
One outgrowth of living and working from home more or less 24/7 is that some families have been able to slow down and reconnect with each other. School activities and sports are on hold, while puzzles and board games have made a comeback.
Keeping track of kids' possessions can be challenging
Every parent has at least a handful of stories about their children losing or leaving behind a treasured item. Sometimes it was something valuable like a laptop in their school bag, and sometimes it was a stuffed bear. Regardless of the value of the item, this can be a five-alarm emergency where the child requests the entire world to stop what it is doing to track down this item and return it to them unharmed.
Celebrating Mothers Day in 2020
Mother’s Day for families with divorced parents can be a delicate dance. Regardless of the state of the parents’ relationship, mothers still deserve all the appropriate forms of recognition as the mother of your children. In the past, the ex-spouse could encourage the children to recognize the importance of their mother in their lives, and while handmade gifts are cherished, you may even have to do some shopping for such common Mother’s Day gifts as a favorite sweet, a spa visit, flowers or some other gift.
Coping strategies for cooped up couples
It may seem like a dream to be home with spouse or partner, but some couples embrace the “absence makes the heart grow fonder” paradox. All this togetherness can make it more complicated, and it may seem like adding gasoline to the fire if there are a couple of kids who need constant supervision. Some or all of this can cause doubts or bring a shaky relationship to its knees.
Domestic violence a growing concern amid quarantine
Many families have enjoyed their uninterrupted time together in quarantine. However, there is a growing concern that the stress of the times mixed with tenuous relationships and tight quarters could lead to an uptick in domestic violence in homes not safe for spouses or children. This is based on data in France (which has seen a 30% jump in reports of domestic violence) and other countries around the world as well as reports from New York, Washington, DC, and San Francisco.
