A friend and I were talking yesterday about how our parents divorces have effected us, even into our adulthood. And it got me wondering, To what extent are parents obligated to make their marriage work for their children?

My sister and I requested that our mom divorce our dad. But I think we had this fairy tale idea that a divorce would make everything better. It made some things better, some things worse and everything different. I guess I still wish that my parents were married with a good marriage. And I’m sad that it was never a possibility.

There’s no point in time when divorce doesn’t effect the kids, Jim was 26 when his parents got divorced. I have adult friends whose parents are still married, and I know it would just rock their entire world if their parents got divorced.

In the end, I just really hope that my kids never have to deal with figuring out which parent they will invite over for Thanksgiving, worrying about how their parents will act if they are in the same room together, wondering if it is their fault, and wishing things were different.

I know that I’m only coming at this from the child’s perspective, but I’d like to hear your thoughts on divorce. What would be your criteria for getting divorced? How has divorce effected you? Would you stay married just for the sake of your children? When do you think divorce is a better option than staying married?