Growing up I felt sorry for the kids whose parents had divorced. It was frowned upon and not very common. The kids seemed fine but having "divorced parents" still had that stigma attached to it. I was thankful my parents were still together giving my siblings and I a great life.
However, now that I am "older," I see through different glasses the "relationship" my parents have. I always wonder how and why they are still married. They really don't have much in common, they come from different backgrounds, and do not truly seem to be happy. I think they are just going through the motions. Maybe they think they are too old to get a divorce. Maybe they don't want to have people look at them differently. Maybe they are just scared at what it will do to us kids. I really do not know.
I have friends who have divorced parents and although sad to have a marriage break up, everyone seems much happier. The parents have moved on to a happier place which in turn, has made their children much happier. Kids need to see happy parents. Not fake happy, but really, truly happy. The reasons some people got married just don't hold true years later. And that's ok.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have told my parents that it's ok to get a divorce. You only live once and you need to be happy. If you aren't happy with each other, move on and find happiness with someone else. I know that sounds strange coming from one of their children, however, I mean it. You need to be happy. If you are happy, it'll trickle down to everyone else and everything else. Staying because you are afraid of what it'll do to us kids (who, by the way, are older and out of the house,) is wrong. We are and will be ok. Staying because you are afraid of what people will say is wrong and basically contradicts what our parents taught us growing us. Who cares what people think - it's not their life and if they care for you, they will only want what is best for you. Staying because you think you are too old for a divorce is stupid. Again, you get ONE life. Make the most of it. Be happy.
Divorce is OK mom and dad. We kids will be fine. We just want you to be happy and if they means apart and/or with someone else, that's ok.
Like the movie says, get busy livin' or get busy dyin'.
