When the children move out of the family home, the parents become empty nesters. For many parents, this happens when their kids go off to college. Once the children turn 18, they enroll in college and move out, creating a dramatic change in the household.
In some situations, becoming empty nesters actually pushes parents closer to divorce. The odds of a marital split may go up when that last child moves out. Why does this happen?
2 potential reasons
For one thing, some adults simply find their marriage difficult. It’s a lot of work, but they’ve decided to stay together, even though they’re not that happy – primarily to create a stable living situation for their children.
But after the children have left the house, are they still willing to put in the required work? Some parents may find that they would be happier apart. This feels like a natural time to split up.
Another reason is that some couples have serious marital issues that have gone unaddressed. They may be fundamentally unhappy with one another or with the relationship itself. However, the chaos of raising children often doesn’t leave much time to think about or address these issues. Once the children have moved out and the parents are left alone, they may reevaluate their marriage and determine how they want to move forward.
Navigating a divorce
If you and your spouse decide to get divorced, it is important to understand all of your legal options, such as litigation or mediation. Be sure you know what steps to take and what would work best for your future and your family.