Is Divorce the Answer? Resources to Help Struggling Parents Save Their Marriage
3 minute read.
If you're a parent struggling in your marriage and wondering, "Should I stay in my marriage for the kids?" or "How can I save my marriage?"—you're not alone. Many couples facing challenges in their relationship wrestle with questions like: "How does divorce affect children emotionally?" or "Is divorce better than staying in an unhappy marriage?"
The truth is, divorce has a profoundly damaging impact on the family as a whole, especially the children. Solid resources are few and far between for spouses willing to fight for their marriage. Whether you're looking for faith-based counseling, marriage coaching programs, or support groups for parents navigating marriage struggles, here are resources we recommend that are designed to help you and your family heal—without resorting to divorce except in the most dire situations, such as abuse or violence.
Coaching
Alexander House: Greg & Julie Alexander developed a program through which their team of marriage coaches takes couples. This is our number one recommendation. The program is offered at no cost, but as of September 2024, there is a 6-month wait. Contact them to join the waitlist here. In the meantime, here are some helpful links to learn more about them:
Listen to our interview with Greg & Julie: How to Heal Your Broken Marriage.
Read about their Marriage Disciple program here.
They have also developed a program for couples dealing with infidelity in their marriage, separate from the Marriage Disciples program. Greg & Julie work with those couples personally. Go here for more info on Covenant Restored.
Read Greg & Julie’s book, Marriage 911: How God Saved Our Marriage (and Can Save Yours, Too!).
Marriage Missionaries: Matt & Mindy Dalton began working with Alexander House and then founded their own ministry where they coach couples.
Listen to our interview with Matt and Mindy: The #1 Thing Missing in Marriages Today
Call this number 303-578-8287 and tell them that Joey Pontarelli referred you.
Dr. Christine Bacon: Another relationship coach who's opposed to divorce and exists to help rescue marriages.
Listen to our podcast episode with her: Infidelity: Healing from Your Spouse or Parent’s Affair
Rightly Ordered: LeeAnne Abel offers many resources focused on divorce, including coaching for parents. Listen to her podcast episodes:
Would you consider a marriage retreat?
Retrouvaille: Offers retreats for marriages that are seriously struggling.
Divorce dramatically harms the children. Here are some resources we recommend that highlight this:
Primal Loss: The Now-Adult Children of Divorce Speak:
This book by Leila Miller features 70 stories from adult children of divorce.
You can hear her discuss the book on our podcast: How 70 Adult Children of Divorce Have Suffered.
Listen to our two additional podcast episodes about this:
In terms of resources for your loved ones (particularly the children) who may be going through divorce, here are a few for you (start with the article):
Article: 10 Tips to Help Someone Whose Parents Are Separating or Divorcing
Podcast: 3 Tips to Help Someone from a Divorced or Broken Family
Our free course: Real Help: A Guide to Confidently Help Someone from a Divorced or Broken Family
Divorce isn’t the only option.
There is hope for a better future together. By working to restore your marriage, you’re creating a lasting legacy of love, stability, and unity for your children. We’re here to help. Take the first step today—your family is worth it.
FREE Course
In only 2 hours, learn how to help someone from a divorced or broken family:
Understand their pain and experience through studies and stories
Do or say the right things and avoid the wrong ones
Feel competent and confident in offering help
Learn about resources to help them
Help them break the cycle and avoid passing their brokenness onto the people they love the most
