If there’s one thing that is certain about most California marriages, it’s that no two are exactly the same. The issues that cause problems in your marriage might be non-issues to another couple. For instance, one couple might have flare-ups if one spouse uses alcohol, but in your marriage, neither of you particularly worries about that. In fact, you both drink alcohol on occasion.
Being a workaholic is another type of addiction that can definitely cause serious problems in many marriages. If you’re married to a workaholic, you might feel as though your spouse is cheating on you. Many California spouses say they have experienced similar emotions regarding feeling like their spouses’ jobs are more important than they are. Such issues can cause serious self-esteem problems as well, which is why it is important to know where to seek support if a workaholic spouse is causing you to consider divorce.
Workaholics Divorce Twice As Often As Other Couples
If you’re having serious marital problems that stem from your spouse’s addiction to work, you are definitely not alone in your struggle. The rate of divorce for couples that contain at least one spouse who works too much is twice as high as for couples where work is not a relationship problem. Needless to say, it’s not uncommon to consider divorcing a workaholic spouse.
Excessive Time At Work Leaves Little Time For Nurturing
Your marriage cannot take care of itself. In all marriages, spouses must pay attention to each other’s needs and be willing to nurture their partners so that the relationship makes both people feel fulfilled. If your spouse is never home or is always interrupting your conversation to check email or take phone calls from work, it’s understandable if you’re feeling neglected.
Make Suggestions And Set Boundaries
You and your children, if you have any, may feel like you’re constantly having to choose between waiting around for your workaholic spouse or doing things without him or her. Some couples find it helpful to agree to certain boundaries, such as not answering work calls after a specific time of day.
If you invite your spouse to join in on your activities and he or she always declines in favor of working, you may want to have a serious discussion about what it means to be a workaholic and how it is negatively affecting your family life and marriage.
When You Must Divorce a Workaholic
It’s a fact that many marriages cave under pressure when one spouse is a workaholic. If that happens to you, it’s important to stay closely connected to close friends and extended family members so they can provide encouragement and support as you make changes in your life.
Divorce isn’t easy, but it doesn’t necessarily have to ruin your or your children’s lives. When you have a strong support network in place, you can be hopeful that you will resolve problems and move on in life in as healthy a manner as possible.
If it’s time to start the divorce process, make sure to get a family law expert, such as Hassett Family Law, on your side to help you through the court process.