Why do breakups and divorces peak in March? (by: Sandro Tuzzo)

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The following article comes from an email from Separate.us . It is reproduced here on DivorceForce with permission.

While it is generally thought that most breakups occur in January, after the holiday season ends….research supports that couples are in fact more likely to end their relationships in the springtime months.

Nationwide, we tend to see divorce rates peak in mid to late March. Why is this? Well, there is plenty of speculation. While some have claimed that there is a “spring cleaning affect” that may also apply to relationships, others have cited that the transitional seasons of Fall & Spring are a natural time for change in general.

Is there a good way to end a relationship?

Ending a relationship is never easy. Not only are people’s feelings going to get hurt, but many breakups also result in significant changes in people’s lives, and may also cause dramatic changes that affect children and other members of the family.

With that said, there are a few things that you can do that may help keep things as smooth as possible if you need to end a relationship:

• Pick a set time/date . Breaking up is easy to put off, but this is rarely a good idea. If you’re certain that the relationship is over, then pick a day and time to deliver the news and do it. Try to avoid surprises by mentioning to your partner, in advance, that you want to have a conversation.
• Tell them directly . If possible, it is generally a good idea for your partner to hear the news from you. This not only keeps the message clear, but it can also communicate to your partner that you respect them enough to handle the information themselves.
• If you have children, be consistent. As hard as it is for kids to hear that their parents are splitting up, its even worse if what they hear is unnecessarily confusing. When you do break the news to them, try to spare them the details and be sure that you are giving them the same message.
• Have a plan for afterwards . Once you deliver the bad news, it is a good idea to have a plan for what to do next. This is not only for long term actions (ie. moving out, telling others, etc.) but also for short term items. In fact, many people find it helpful to have plans with friends or family right after you have the talk, so that they can be there for support.