I was recently catching up on world events in The Week when a mention of a survey by a travel company caught my eye. Apparently 78% of couples admit to having at least two major arguments during a fortnight’s holiday. The main cause of strife was reportedly the men being caught checking out other women, and there were also arguments about where to go, what to do, what to eat and spending money. 62% of couples were said to bicker up to three times a day – not the relaxing break that everyone has in mind when booking their summer holiday!
These statistics didn’t surprise me. Whilst traditionally instructions from new clients are lower in the summer holidays, as people are busy taking care of the children and going away on their holidays, we often see a rise in September. Many people eagerly await their summer holiday, and pin great hopes on it being restorative and rejuvenating. However, if the marriage is facing difficulties it is possible that too much is expected from the break. A family who, due to the pressures of work and child care, usually do not get to spend that much time together are thrust together for 24 hours a day for a week or so. And sadly this can be a reminder that things really aren’t working any more. Money worries, struggling to entertain fractious children, and realising that you no longer have much to talk about can add up to a realisation that something has got to change.
So what can be done? Relationship counselling, such as with Relate, can help you discover whether the relationship can be saved. And if not, then seeing an experienced family lawyer will help you explore the options available to you to end the relationship and move forward.
Image by clry2 under a Creative Commons Licence