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Should I Stay? or Should I Go? Family Mediation Can Help You Decide





The highs and lows in your marriage are starting to take a toll.


You notice getting out of bed some days can feel like a struggle. The minute the alarm starts beeping in your ear the dread of your day sets in. You know your children need you, but it's like you can hardly breathe from the heavyweight sitting on your chest.


As you sit at your desk staring into the computer screen, you start to question your marriage. Like this can’t be my life. How did I end up in this marriage that feels so dull? I still love my spouse, but I can’t keep fighting when they aren’t willing to fight for me in return.


Should I stay or should I go?


It takes strength removing yourself from a toxic environment that is no longer supporting your well-being. And if it's affecting your day-to-day interactions, it will definitely start to seep into your relationships with your children, co-workers, extended family members, and friends. The guilt you feel today will continue to build until you decide what you need for yourself to thrive.


Staying in an unhealthy marriage does more damage than good for everyone’s mental and emotional well-being. It makes living arrangements complex while trying to be a great parent and put your best foot forward. When your spouse no longer respects you, then your personal self-esteem and self-worth can begin to crumble, leaving you emotionally drained. If you tend to find yourself distressed more than not, you may find yourself becoming reactive to situations you typically would brush off in the past. Or even ignoring your children who crave your undivided attention.


Here’s A Simple Checklist To Decide If Family Mediation Is For You:


  1. Your spouse no longer takes your calls or responds to your text in a timely manner

  2. You feel angry and defeated when you have a conversation with your spouse

  3. You are unable to find a solution to the marital problems

  4. You are experiencing days where you feel anxious or depressed because your needs aren’t being met

  5. You and your spouse disagree on your children's extracurricular activities

  6. You are avoiding your personal hobbies that used to make you happy

  7. You and your spouse sleep in separate bedrooms

  8. You are tired of living a dull, mundane life because your marriage has become routine

  9. You feel ignored and disrespected by your partner when you express your concerns

  10. You no longer trust your partner

  11. You try to talk at dinner but it turns into a blow-out fight

  12. You can remember the last time you and your spouse went on a date

  13. You are living in a sexless marriage

  14. Your children are showing signs of anxiety and distress

  15. You feel alone at home majority of the time

  16. Your children are doing poorly in school

  17. You are experiencing traumatic triggers from your childhood

  18. You feel stuck and can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel

  19. You are starting to give up hope because no matter hard you try you aren’t heard nor understood

  20. You would rather stay at the office then come home to be with your spouse

If you found yourself agreeing to most of the checklist, it's time to take a moment and reflect on the choices you are making today for yourself and your children. Marital discord and distress is something that should not be taken lightly as this can eventually repeat history, exposing your children to unhealthy relationships. If you and your spouse have reached an impasse in your marriage, consider family mediation to see if it’s worth trying to repair your marital differences or part separate ways so all family members can live in a healthy, loving environment.


Sign-up for a complimentary consultation to learn more at info@divorcefamilymediations.com.


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