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It doesn’t feel right. “We are not connected.” You convince yourself it will get better. “We’re just busy. A lot going on. Everyone else seems to have their struggles too. Maybe I just need to adapt to the way things are now. Note to self – Don’t be so uptight!” Sound familiar?Frog in the Kettle Syndrome
If you’ve had similar thoughts you may be experiencing the “frog in the kettle” syndrome. This metaphor is based on an alleged study in the 19th century. Scientists placed a frog in a pot of water and very slowly raised the heat. The frog’s body temperature adapted to the environment, unaware of the risk. Having waited too long to act, the water reached a boiling point. Lacking leaping ability the frog was boiled to death!Are you adapting to a substandard marriage?
I’ve observed a trend in marriages. Couples are settling for less. Many have traded romantic partners for roommates. They complain about the toils of working, raising kids, and keeping a house. Their marriage receives minuscule attention. Harried couples are just trying to keep the family on track. Research indicates that marital satisfaction decreases during the child-bearing/rearing years. Makes sense. Couples have to invest time in kids. But how low will you settle for before your marriage reaches its boiling point? Here are 3 danger signs your marriage is at risk and what you can do to stop it.Neglect – you’re doing okay but you’re not spending time together
This happens in the first year or two after you become parents. You have the new job. Bought the house, car, etc… Now you bring home your first baby. Everything is so new and exciting! But you’re busy. Busy. Real busy adjusting to this new family. Here’s where couples begin thinking the marriage will just have to adapt. You think, “Well, we’re not spending as much time together, but we’ll get to it. Heck, everything is going pretty good for us.” Most couples go through this. It’s normal. However too much neglect sets you up for risk #2.Emotional Drift – you’re fighting more and not getting your needs met
Too much neglect increases conflict. You fight over roles, expectations, and assumptions about who is supposed to be doing what. Unresolved arguments fuel emotional drift. Attempts to connect are often missed or rejected based on what is going on. Hurt feelings perpetuate the drift. Nonetheless, the couple continue to adapt to the situation thinking it will get better on its own. This is a mistake and it sets couples up for the 3rd risk.Avoidance – you’re in a state of co-existence and neither of you are trying
Couples who don’t find a way to drift back together get accustomed to the distance. They end up avoiding the marriage. Tired of fighting to get their needs met, they look elsewhere. It could be work, kids, or separate social lives. Some seek connection in an affair. Expecting your marriage to adapt too long is dangerous. Like the frog in the kettle your relationship can reach a boiling point. For some it’s too late. Marriage doesn’t have to end in tragedy. You can do something to stop it. Here are 5 tips you can follow right away. Tip #1 – Stop adapting to a substandard marriage.- Avoiding is no longer a solution. Take some action.
- If your problem is neglect – “We seem to be doing well as a family, but we are neglecting our marriage.”
- If your problem is emotional drift – “It feels like we are drifting from each other and it worries me. I’m starting to feel lonely. How about you?”
- If your problem is avoidance – “I’m sure would agree we are struggling. It seems all we do now is avoid each other. Maybe we need to get some help before it gets worse.”
- Take a look at your calendar. What is occupying too much space?
- Perhaps you can trim some fat off of your work schedule.
- Consider eliminating one of the kid activities/sports programs.
- Get your marriage some premium time on the calendar.
- Smart couples invest in marriage.
- Smart couples see the value in professional support.
- Smart couples reap the benefits of renewed companionship and romance.
- You don’t have to sit in a pot waiting for it to boil.
- Take responsibility for your quality of life.
- Unpack things with a professional.