| When you are going through a rough patch in your | | | | A much more productive approach is to try your best |
| marriage thoughts of separating may creep into your | | | | to remain calm. This will likely be incredibly hard but it's |
| thoughts. It's nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, many | | | | important for several reasons. By not pouting or |
| people who are at odds with their mate consider a | | | | shouting you are showing your spouse that you |
| divorce. The thought of it is much different than the | | | | understand the seriousness of the situation. If you |
| reality though. When your spouse wants a divorce and | | | | agree, at least temporarily, to a separation you are |
| tells you it can feel as though your world is crashing | | | | also demonstrating that you respect their wishes and |
| down around you. How you handle the situation will | | | | want to do all you can to help them. Don't assume that |
| actually determine whether or not the marriage does | | | | your spouse will think you want a divorce as well if |
| end in divorce. Your actions can actually influence your | | | | you agree to a trial separation. Just make it clear that |
| spouse's decision greatly. | | | | you still love them but you want to do what they feel |
| Your first reaction when your spouse wants a divorce | | | | is best for them right now. |
| may be to vehemently refuse. Crying and begging are | | | | Don't involve anyone else in your marriage troubles. |
| not beneath anyone when the person they love most | | | | This includes your parents, in-laws, children and mutual |
| in the world has expressed their desire to end the | | | | friends. Once you include another party your spouse |
| relationship. Doing this can actually damage the | | | | may feel that you've violated not only their privacy but |
| relationship even more and further alienate your | | | | the privacy of your marriage as well. It's very difficult if |
| spouse. When you react in an emotionally charged | | | | your spouse is confronted by another person and |
| way to their sharing their feelings about the relationship | | | | asked to talk about your marriage. This can actually |
| they may feel even more alienated from you. This can | | | | cause your spouse to feel resentment towards you |
| cause them to come to the conclusion that they are | | | | that may be very hard for him or her to overcome. |
| indeed making the right decision regarding the divorce | | | | Keep your marriage issues between the two of you. |
| and they'll be more determined to make it happen. | | | | |