Typically in the first three months of every year, divorce rates multiply. But why is the first quarter of the year so much heavier with divorce filings than the rest of the year? Whether you already have some speculation or need some clarity, we have answers for you.
Factors that Influence Divorce Filings at the Beginning of the Year
1- Holiday Stress
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year might be somewhat of a hellscape under unsavory circumstances. Admittedly, the Holiday Season is usually equal parts fun and stressful for any adult; and that can be multiplied by four for anyone with children.
Factors like hosting family get-togethers, dealing with unpleasant family members, feeling financially drained, and having to provide holiday magic for children can certainly contribute to strains in your marital relationship. While the joy of the Holiday Season brings expectations of magical experiences, those high expectations can be crushed underneath family strains; I think Ellen Griswold says it best with “it’s Christmas and we’re all in misery.”
2 – New Year’s Resolutions
Like clockwork, the New Year begins right after the Holiday Season. The first week of the year is undoubtedly the most cathartic out of all fifty-two: everyone is reflecting on the year they just endured and sometimes that’s clouded by horrible experiences with a partner. As if that wasn’t enough, the New Year’s Resolutions begin to roll in and everyone starts the “New Year, New Me” talks.
With the tone of growth set, those who are in a poor partnership may feel stuck and unable to set goals for themselves, and therefore the goal to regain autonomy is set. Although many people will break their gym-going goal within the first month, those who set a goal to file for divorce are usually successful due to the myriad of additional factors that influence their decision.
3 – Children Holiday Enjoyment
When children are involved in a marriage it automatically makes a divorce much more complex. Of course, parents want the best for their children and sometimes that means muscling through difficult situations. Typically, parents will wait until the Holiday Season has ended to file for divorce in order to not ruin their children’s holiday.
Once January hits, suddenly we are the furthest away from Christmas as possible, meaning there is now 11 months to figure out a new dynamic and acclimate children to the normalcy of split holidays. Obviously, this doesn’t make a divorce any easier on children, but it does ensure that their Holiday Season doesn’t turn into a traumatic event each following year.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the obvious culprit of divorce rates spiking January-March is the strain of the Holiday Season. While this time can be incredibly difficult to maneuver due to all of these outside factors, it’s also important to see this time period as an opportunity to seek help.
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