Where is the line between a rough patch and a marriage that doesn't work and should be ended? You hear of couples where someone cheated or where they otherwise weren't doing well and then after couples therapy 5 or 10 years later they're stronger and happier than ever.

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Coming from a divorce lawyer who has seen it go both ways, I think the difference for couples who make it is that they are both committed to doing the work and making it happen. Both work on communication, both participate fully and openly in therapy, etc. If one person is not interested in participating or one person can’t get past and forgive the actions of another, it usually signals that the marriage will end.

likehelpful

I think how hard people work at it depends on the mindsets people had coming into marriage. Both my husband and I are Christian and are both committed to til death do us part unless the covenant is broken (e.g. affair) or if there is a safety concern (abuse, etc.). My husband even told me he wanted us to make sure that we’d always be willing to go to counseling if we felt we weren’t doing well.

like

Biggest question… do both of you want to make it work, and if so, will you both commit to working on it together? If yes to both, you have a chance. Then open honest communication is key. There will be great times and tough times through that process (hint, that process never truly ends, it just has more easy times). Best of luck to you and yours!

like

Agreed! 👍🏼

I’m divorced and remarried- left my first, he was an alcoholic, which honestly I don’t think I put together when I was married; and when he drank he could get abusive (verbally), wouldn’t come home night after night and just wasn’t present. I knew that it was not going to change unless we got professional help, which he refused (marriage counseling).
My 2nd husband w whom I have 3 sons, and I went through some super stressful times but I knew he was committed, he was willing to actually talk to me beyond the surface shit, and agreed to therapy. Kids are out of the house by maybe 5-6 years now and our marriage is better than ever (34 years)

like

Shared understanding of the challenges, mutual interest and affirmative commitment to make the necessary changes. That's most of it.

Where people get off the rails in my experience is that they either disagree about what the problems are (or at least what the root causes of those problems are) and/or both partners aren't all in on making the fixes needed to get to a solution.

Related Posts

My wife and I just had our second child, and we have also been dealing with her cervical cancer diagnosis. It has been a stressful year, to say the least. I want to do something nice for her, but money is tight right now because of the cancer treatment costs, and her being on unpaid leave because of the cancer treatments. What is something low cost I can do that will be a nice “couples thing” so we can de-stress, but also make her feel special?

like

How are people managing WFH with their kids? We have a 2 year old and 5 year old and my partner is also wfh. Small condo, no nanny. It’s freaking insane and my husband and I are fighting every day....

like

Hadn’t noticed this sub before, and most of the threads are old so thought I’d ask a follow up - how has everyone been handling parenting with public accounting? I’ve got a toddler and my wife is an accountant (industry), and we only have a few immediate family in the country- but they have health concerns. Busy season was rough, things are looking better now as things return to normal. Still working crazy hours if you count the daycare duties on top of utilization targets.

like

My parents got divorced 6 years ago and my dad kinda gave up on life. His American dream was to graduate with an actuary degree (which he did 2 years ago) and find a corporate job but it never happened...He gave up on life to a point that has no food and is behind rent because he doesn't want to get a $15 an hour job or a maintenance/painting job. He doesn't do drugs or alcohol and my wife is going to kill me if she finds out again that I gave him money again.

like

Sometimes when my spouse snores i’l flick them real hard and they will wake up panicked and I’ll say “ are you okay? It was just a dream a bad dream...shhh just sleep” and then they will calm down and fall back asleep with less of a snore 🥴

funnylike

I need 11 L to connect with friends.plz help me to get that

like

Any other ladies get so frustrated by forced family set ups? I swear I only hear from my extended family when it’s about set ups and my marriage status. And usually it’s just them praising the guy and telling me to make it work since I’m getting old (early 30s) 🤦🏽‍♀️

like

I’ve had to step away from social media for my own mental sanity as I have a major issue with comparing myself to peers when it comes to life stages. (Single female, 34, never married, no male prospects, dog mom.) As a result, I feel like I’m doing a disservice to myself professionally as social media is a HUGE communication channel. Any advice on staying away or including it in my life in healthy ways?

like

Have you walked away from somebody you loved? And why?

like

My friends and I when we go out

Post Photo
funnylike

I have to support my family financially. Usually my mom cooks for the family so groceries only cost $1200/month. However, my mom is abroad for 2 months so it’s just my siblings and they can’t cook so they’ve been using my card for doordash. I think there are days when they spend $100+/day. It’s frustrating because my mom already told them the daily budget repeatedly. I’ll go bankrupt at that rate. However, it’s not like I can take my card back since I don’t want them to starve…

likesmart

Any consulting moms in the area? Desperately in need of in town friends.

like

F*****-up story…please be constructive (but also open & direct)
With my wife for 14 years, 2 kids under 8y - both under a lot of pressure bc Covid/work/private life/… and have been (unconsciously) running away from our couple not working “since a long time” (dixit my wife). We want to try and fix it, but I also met someone new (not sure if she would even want me) and wondering if it’s worth fixing it (since we are trying/running/avoiding it for years) - just worried about the kids…any advice

like

Hello fish - I moved to NYC from Charlotte NC recently. I have several weddings to attend in the month of April and am traveling back for 3 weeks. Has anyone traveled via airline with a pet before?

I don’t know where to start … having a pet sitter for 3 weeks isn’t an option and driving to and from isn’t either due to my work schedule.

like

There’s this guy at work I really like. We’re really really good friends but I’ve caught feels since the day I met him and I just want to tell him how I feel but I don’t want to ruin our great friendship. He’s the closest friend I have.

likefunny

Do you guys ever feel like you're 'too Asian' in the workplace but 'not Asian enough' when it comes to family/friends? My morals are rooted in Asian traditions, but can't speak my native language well

like

I got laid off and not sure if I should find a place cheaper to live by myself and pay rent with UI for couple of months while studying or go back home where family is and contribute much less than I will be spending living alone to parents for rent. I will be saving a lot. Problem is younger sister who is mentally draining and steals my things, makes nasty comments towards me lives there and her bedroom will be right next to mine. She once got me arrested for no reason. What should I do?

like

My mother in law is dying of cancer but is also a toxic person. My husband has mixed feelings around letting her dump all of her emotions that should be handled with a therapist on him. Beyond this,

like

Good cologne to get my boyfriend?

Making this a bit more dynamic. I’d love to know everyone’s view on this. What are your 3 main dealbreakers when considering a relationship with someone?

More Posts

Hey everyone. I am in desperate need of reorg data access for a project deliverable.

Wondering if anybody has a company subscription and is willing to help a girl out. I am willing to pay $$ for a username&password so I can export 1 or 2 data sets.

Anyone have any insight into Success Manager roles at Salesforce? Trying to get a sense of comp, wlb, etc. Specifically looking at a position in the national security sector. TIA!

like

What is the salary for Video editor with 9 years of experience?

like

I got variable pay of 1 lack, two times after April's appraisal (so total 2 lack). I didn't had variable component mentioned in offer letter, but it was showing up in hr portal. Now payroll people are calling me and asking me to return the 1 lack saying it was done by mistake. What should I do?

Walmart Hi Fishes! I am currently working in walmart as a product Analyst and am in the last round of interview for some other companies. Could you guide me with the compensation I should be asking from these companies? Current TC: 36lpa
Fixed: 28lpa
YoE: 7years 4months

like

Breeder just called and said puppy has a very small hernia that should go away on it's own. Any cause for alarm? Said if it doesn't to away it can be corrected when it gets neutered.

like

Are there any 100k+ a year jobs that digital marketers can easily move to? Looking to move to provide for new family. Remote would be ideal.

like

How hard is it to unload a lease in CLT? Has anyone done it before?

like

Hi all,
I'm a Software Engineer with 14 months of work experience. I want to move on to Product Management as my current job doesn't align with my long term career aspirations. I'm pretty confident in the tech aspects of my job and am undergoing a course in Business Foundations.
Any suggestions on what career steps I should take?

like

Opinions on BagYork(dot)com? It shows great deals on most branded items and is a verified merchant on Pinterest but I’m worried if it’s legit

like

Infosys Consulting Hello Fishes, Infosys Consulting Infosys Could you please guide me on Infosys variables. I got Infosys offer with 20% variable. How much % we get of variable average??

like

Hi fishes!
I have received an offer for Senior Software Engineer.
17.5 L gross salary, 3 YOE.
Can you please tell me if it's a good offer , and about SSE role in general .

like

What is CTC range for JL5A in Infosys Consulting.

~TIA

like

Will Infosys revise my offer letter if I will show them other company offer which is paying me more.
Infosys offering : yoe6+ SR. Consultant (5A)18lap with 15% variable

like

What is the best way to reach out to your in house agency ? I want to share our call for artists . Do I have go through HR? Or is there a place I can simply post an announcement ?

like

Why do people not respond to calendar invites? Come on now we can do better🙃

like

Exam tomorrow - super nauseous which makes me even more anxious 🥲 anyone get this and how do you cope?

like

What is THE BEST professional development you've ever been to? (Conference? District workshop? Etc.)

like

I get nightmares about printing on clients sites.... ::shivers::

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal