You think of the summer as a time to relax. Families go on vacation. Kids get time off from school. You have backyard cookouts, you sit by the pool and read a book, you wear comfortable shorts and sandals. It seems like a stress-free time.
However, the reality is that summer actually increases stress for many couples. And, because of this, it can lead to divorce. Studies consistently show that the summer months often lead to a rise in divorce filings.
One reason is that the summer breaks up the routine. During the rest of the year, you’re used to going to work while the kids are at school. Summer changes your schedule. That can lead to stress just because you’re not used to it.
Plus, a lot of care-free family time is actually stressful for parents. That vacation may be a great way to relax in some senses, but it takes a ton of planning and coordination. It’s more stressful to figure out all of the details than your daily life.
Finally, you and your spouse may simply see more of each other. If you’re already having some problems and not really getting along, the routine of life can help keep you apart and hide the true scope of the issues. Seeing each other more often can bring these things to the surface, and you may see that there is really no way for your marriage to work out.
If you do find yourself getting divorced this summer, make sure you are well aware of all of the legal steps you need to take.