Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by atharv from Laurel, MD. atharv Wonders, “why do parents get divorced?” Thanks for WONDERing with us, atharv!

When you hear phrases, such as "until death do us part," "for better or worse," or "in sickness and in health," what do you think of? If you've ever heard those phrases, it's probably been during a wedding ceremony, since they're part of many traditional wedding vows.

Unfortunately, the sentiment behind those words doesn't always last. Rather than death doing the parting, marriages too often end when one or both partners choose to end a marriage by getting a divorce. In fact, approximately 50% of marriages end in divorce today.

Given the high divorce rate, it's no surprise that divorce affects so many people around us. If you haven't been directly affected by divorce, it's likely that you know a close friend or family member who has.

Why do so many marriages end in divorce? The reasons for divorce can be as varied as the people who seek them. Over time, people fall out of love, or sometimes they fall in love with other people.

Divorces are the result of problems between the two people who are married. Whatever the reasons, the common theme is that two people who are married no longer want to be bound by that relationship.

When that happens, legal papers must be signed and filed with a court of law. Eventually, a judge's decree ends the marital relationship, making the partners single once again and able to marry other people if they choose.

Regardless of the circumstances, divorce is hard on everyone involved: mothers, fathers, and especially children. Many children experience a great deal of stress as a result of divorce. Many feel like the divorce was their fault. Even though there are many reasons for a divorce, kids are never to blame for the actions and choices of their parents.

Divorce almost always brings about a substantial amount of change. Fathers and mothers no longer live together. Kids may have to split time between parents, or they may simply live with one parent and not get to see the other nearly as often. Some children may feel like they're being pulled in two different directions all the time. All of these changes can bring a great deal of stress into children's lives.

Children dealing with a divorce should be reassured of a couple of key facts. First of all, they're not to blame for the divorce. Secondly, even if parents do not love each other any longer, it doesn't mean they love their children any less.

Some kids may feel a responsibility to try to fix the broken relationships that lead to divorce. However, just as kids aren't to blame for divorce, they're also not responsible for fixing things. Some things simply can't be mended once they're broken.

In the midst of and throughout the aftermath of a divorce, children should be given as much support as possible by their friends and family members. Although it may seem impossible at first, life does go on and children must learn to cope with their new, changing circumstances.

Learning to deal successfully with your emotions is an important step in dealing with a divorce. Kids will experience a wide range of emotions, from anger, sadness, and frustration to guilt, fear, and worry. Sharing these feelings with a friend or family member and talking through them can help you come to terms with your situation and move forward in a positive way.

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