| It is so easy to work your life away, forget about | | | | relationship begins to wither and fade and the couple |
| your family, your partner and your relationship. People | | | | tend to grow apart. |
| putting work before family is such a common | | | | When children are involved it is even more difficult |
| marriage problem that seems to pop up time and | | | | with just one partner having to make sure they are |
| time again. | | | | around. That they are the ones there in the mornings |
| It's ok for a while, your partner will understand that | | | | and there in the evenings and that they alone have |
| you need to put some time and effort into your | | | | to revolve their whole lives around children and |
| career especially if it generates a good income but as | | | | school. Again this pressure on one partner is all too |
| time goes on and the 'W' word pops up again and | | | | common, a marriage problem that seems to be |
| again, even if your partner enjoys the benefits of | | | | ignored by spouses who tend to avoid their |
| your efforts, all patience fades and the realisation | | | | responsibilities under the misguided understanding that |
| sets in that work is more important!! | | | | their partners can and are happy to cope. |
| I used to know a couple who spent most of their life | | | | Those early years, when your children are growing |
| apart. He worked nights and she worked days. She | | | | up are very special and are years that can never be |
| enjoyed spending the money that night shifts | | | | recaptured. They aren't years that should just pass |
| generated, loved new clothes, new cars and all the | | | | you by at your desk under the false impression that |
| little luxuries a comfortable life style brings but hated | | | | next time your child wants you it will be different, |
| her partner being tired when he was at home. They | | | | you just need to clear this project and then the next |
| were between a rock and a hard place with him | | | | and then the next..... It's never any different. |
| knowing that if he gave up nights bang went the | | | | Children struggle with the concept of work being |
| luxuries and more than likely bye bye wife but if he | | | | more important than them and what is going on in |
| carried on working nights and striving for promotion | | | | their lives. They are too young to understand the |
| he was dead in the water anyway. What a choice. | | | | concept that their parent is just short sighted, |
| Needless to say they never reached a compromise, | | | | perhaps confused as to what should take priority in |
| she wasn't willing to wait for the promotion and a | | | | their lives. Money doesn't mean much to a child. |
| return to day shifts, so they are no longer married. | | | | When work takes over your life, no matter what |
| Working excessively long hours, travelling a lot and | | | | you best intentions are, if your vision isn't understand |
| constantly leading separate lives is bound to put a | | | | and accepted by your family and they aren't 100% |
| strain on your relationship and it has proven to be a | | | | behind you all of the way they will learn to resent |
| real relationship killer, a common marriage problem | | | | the time you spend at your desk rather than with |
| that is prolific in the 'career' society. Just look at the | | | | them. They will feel abandoned, unwanted and |
| number people that are addicted to long unsociable | | | | unloved. |
| working hours and then see how many of them are | | | | If you want to revolve your life around a work |
| still married. | | | | driven environment you must make sure that that |
| I've only ever met a handful of couples who are truly | | | | your partner has the same all consuming driving |
| comfortable with, at best, a weekend relationship | | | | ambition. If either one in a relationship feels that work |
| and these are couples that have learned and are | | | | has taken over the family life it is time to sit down |
| happy to live independent lives. The problem in their | | | | and discuss what is important in to you both. |
| relationships will come when the long hours and | | | | Consider the issues, understand the feelings on both |
| travelling comes to an end and they have to learn to | | | | sides, think about the children and work out what is |
| live with each other 24/7. | | | | best for the individuals, the relationship and the family |
| How many partners spend their whole life at work, | | | | as a whole. |
| rarely seeing their children and having little time for | | | | Catch this common marriage problem before it |
| their spouse? Their partners so often feel neglected, | | | | develops into something more serious don't loose |
| crave adult company, and as time goes on, the | | | | your family over something you probably will learn to |
| neglected partner's cries go on ignored the | | | | regret, save your marriage before it's too late. |