Wednesday 14 December 2011

Cracking up

Marriages, that is. I am so sorry to have to say that another one of my friends' marriages has broken up, and I just don't know what is going on.

In the past year, I have had this news five times, and not one of them was a marriage that anyone could see was in serious trouble. OK, one of them had been grumbling along for a long time, but it seemed like it would go on like that for ever.

Is it a sign of the times we are living in now? Is it a symptom of the financial crisis? Is it that people are realising how short life is, and that they don't want to live in miserable relationships? Do modern couples lack staying power, as the FH seems to think?

In a light-hearted way to conclude this post, these are the FH's top tips for making this marriage of ours last with my notes in brackets:
  • Love your wife and make sure she is your best friend. [Works both ways!]
  • The woman is always right....
  • If she changes her mind, go along with it!
  • Don't complain about the state of the house - she will soon find you a list of things you could do to help.
  • Let her control the money and ask for pocket money regularly. [Only do that if she is good with money! Insist on regular reports on the financial health of the family - he gets a weekly update.]
  • Pull together in the same direction - share common life goals and outlooks. [I wouldn't have got on with a spendthrift!]
  • Present a united front to the kids - and communicate often about the kids.

3 comments:

Mac n' Janet said...

I don't understand all the divorces either. My husband and I have been married 46 years, and he is my best friend. We know a couple having problems and I wish they would think of their children more and theirselves less. Other friends divorced after more than 20 years of marriage. What do they think they'll find that will be better than what they have.
It's just too sad.

Kim @ Him, Him Me said...

What a shame for your friends. It's always sad when a marriage ends, even more so at this time of year. Seems to be felt more keenly.

Loved the list and it's all goos advice

Wannabe Sybil said...

It is hard, a former neighbour of ours got divorced before her parents had finished paying for the wedding. I suppose now though people don't have to stay in unhappy marriages the way they used to, and I know of at least one relationship where I wish that they WOULD divorce to save the wife the abuse. Divorce is never as easy as people think, however, and the kids always suffer. But it is often easier to get help/support with a divorce than fixing a marriage. WS x