![\"GoodTherapy](\"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/GettyImages-1254537517-1-800x533.jpg\" "\\"GoodTherapy")
<\/h1>\n<\/h1>\nAs many couples find out the hard way, the spark that led to them falling in love and getting married doesn\u2019t always last forever.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Should you find yourself in such a scenario, you typically have three options:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While splitting up is difficult for any couple, it\u2019s much harder when\u00a0<\/span>kids are in the picture<\/span><\/a>\u00a0because of the way they might respond to the situation. It\u2019s not uncommon, for example, for some children to think that they themselves are the reason their parents are getting divorced.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To be sure, divorce is\u00a0definitely warranted\u00a0in some cases \u2014 particularly if you\u2019re keen on dissolving legal bonds with your spouse. If you simply can\u2019t get along with your partner any longer, you may be better off divorcing so that you don\u2019t expose your kids to chronic conflict, which can have\u00a0<\/span>disastrous effects<\/span><\/a>\u00a0on their development.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That said, a clear-cut divorce isn\u2019t always the best option. To give their children the love and support they need to grow up to be healthy, contributing members of society, more and more couples are embracing alternative approaches to parenthood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the\u00a0<\/span>New York Times<\/span><\/i><\/a>, divorce rates have been on a downward trend of late. On one hand, this is due to the uncertainty of the pandemic, as couples decide to weather the storm together. On the\u00a0other, it\u2019s because more and more parents are pursuing more modern types of relationships, including marital partnerships and co-parenting agreements.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Also known as a parenting marriage, a marital partnership is a non-romantic marriage where the parents stay together and live as a family for the sake of their children. Also known as a parenting marriage<\/a> (a concept developed by Susan Pease Gadoua, LCSW), a marital partnership is a non-romantic marriage where the parents stay together and live as a family for the sake of their children. From the outside, a parenting marriage looks exactly the same as a traditional marriage. When you\u2019re in a parenting marriage, you still go out to dinner and the movies together as a family, for example.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Though they are difficult for both spouses, marital partnerships deliver\u00a0a number of\u00a0benefits to children. Not only do they ensure kids have a consistent, stable upbringing, but they also ensure that both parents are present during important activities and events.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, living with someone you\u2019re no longer in love with doesn\u2019t necessarily appeal to everyone. Depending on the circumstances leading to the split, it might not even be worth it to even try.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In these circumstances, it\u2019s still possible to maintain a healthy, civil relationship with your spouse after a divorce by embracing a concept called co-parenting, which is also known as platonic parenting.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Like the name suggests, platonic parenting is the process of two parents coming together amicably to raise their kids together. While parents might get legally divorced and\u00a0live in\u00a0different places, they both raise their kids together, seeing each other often in both public and private settings. This provides the stability and continuity kids need to lead healthy lives.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Co-parenting is not without its challenges. Chief among them is the fact that co-parents need to\u00a0be respectful to each other at all times\u00a0and never disparage their ex in front of their kids. But with\u00a0<\/span>the right approach to co-parenting<\/span><\/a>, you can teach your kids great lessons about constructive problem-solving and how to communicate effectively while also reducing the stress and anxiety that would result from a more significant split.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At the end of the day, whether you decide to work on your marriage, try a parenting marriage, or become co-parents ultimately is not all that important. What matters most is that you\u00a0are able to\u00a0<\/span>give your kids the childhood they deserve<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whatever approach you take, it\u2019s important to keep your kids safe, listen to them and spend time with them, and provide affection, order, and consistency. You also need to set and enforce limits, understand how your children spend their free time, and stay on top of any medical and mental health concerns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re in a hard place in your relationship and don\u2019t know what to do, all hope isn\u2019t lost. Talking to a therapist can help you figure out the best path forward. The right therapist will be able to help you determine what you want, what aligns with your values,\u00a0and how to make it happen in a healthy way that doesn\u2019t hurt your children.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Putting Kids First: Choosing Martial Partnerships and Co-Parenting over Divorce As many couples find out the hard way, the spark that led to them falling in love and getting married doesn?t always last forever.? Should you find yourself in such a scenario, you typically have three options:?? Work on repairing the relationship.? File for divorce.? 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Should We Stay Together? Lifestyle Alternatives to Divorce<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Marital partnerships<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
Co-parenting<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
What Do Kids Really Need from Their Parents?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Ready to give therapy a try?\u00a0<\/span>Search for a qualifed therapist in your community today<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"