Did you know that August is the second most common month for couples to file for divorce? Only March sees more filings. The holidays, demands of the school year, and the hope that a vacation will provide a reset all factor into when couples decide to divorce. Here are three reasons for the August divorce:
The Last-Ditch Vacation
Does this sound like you? You know you should be excited that much of the summer is still ahead of you. This year, though, you feel dread, and wonder whether your summer vacation will be followed by an August divorce. You’re pretty sure that your marriage is over, but it doesn’t seem like the right time to split up. So, you and your spouse take that last-ditch vacation, in hopes that you can recapture the love.
You discover that the tension you experience at home follows you. You regret using vacation time and money, only to find out that the problem is your marriage; not the stressors of home.
Let’s Do It Before School Starts
You didn’t want to disrupt your family during the school year. Divorce is hard at any time, but having a parent move out and possibly relocating your children would have been too unsettling when the kids had to worry about studying and grades. Now, they are settled into their summer activities. If you file before September, you can transition them before the new school year begins.
Infidelity May be More Common During the Summer
Summer offers opportunities for more social interactions and the chance to meet new people. Warm weather and more sunlight boost mood and energy for many, leading to increased sex drive. Being away from home, wearing less clothing, and a sense of being more carefree may lead people to engage in behaviors they wouldn’t normally consider or engage in.
Few couples marry with the expectation they will divorce. Unfortunately, it happens with great frequency. If you find yourself in this situation, prepare for the emotional fallout as carefully as for the legal and financial challenges. The support of a therapist can help you weather the change in seasons in your family.