BellaOnline Forums Relationships Marriage A poll: Why do you stay married?

Many women stay married when they'd rather leave. Why do you stay married?

Why I stay married multiple choice
	Because I love him still
	Because we're content if not in love
	For the kids
	For financial reasons
	For religious reasons
	Out of fear
	Because I don't want to be alone
Votes accepted starting: 03/06/09 02:37 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

because I can't picture being without him, he is my everything to my anything... even though he drives me completely crazy

because without him i cant see myself doing anything or being anything he is simply just my life but you know sometimes i get the feeling of slapping him when he irritates the saying is true cant live with them cant live without them either

LOL. I know what you mean!!!

I have no idea why I am still married. I think I still love him but do not like him at times. At times think i would prefer to live on my own with the kids. When he is away it is great. When he is around I am always waiting around to see what he is doing and my life revolves around him but I no longer want that. i want things for myself again I think. really confused.

skinnycow, you are voicing typical thoughts most wives feel at some point. This feeling tends to surface when you do place him at the center of your universe.

You don't need to divorce to get your emotional fulfillment but you do need some personal time. You want things for yourself again and you SHOULD be able to go out and get them...AND still remain married.

In some ways, when a wife is fulfilled and pursuing her own dreams, she becomes a better wife. Her husband finds her more interesting and less of an emotional burden. Imagine how he must feel if he and the kids have to be your sole source of happiness.

Find yourself and be happy. Follow your passion. You can take your husband and kids with you along for the ride!

I love him more now than I did 21 years ago! Surprise, surprise. Elderlove is magnificent! He is constant and true; heart of my heart.

Can I say that?

No place but to him and here.

The concept of love and passion seems to be acceptable only when everybody is young and beautiful.

Many people are horrified by the idea that really grown-up people would still want to be alone together, intimate, and passionate.

It happens.

It's magic.

Simply because I love him. He doesn't complete my life, my life was already complete before I met him but he adds so much to it. I don't believe in the needy kind of love but I do believe in the kind of love that adds positivity to another person's life. He helps me be a better person and helps me stay focused when I lose myself. He's there to help guide me and I him. He's not perfect, but he's never betrayed me in any way. And this is why we continue to remain married. Growing together and loving each other unconditionally.

Hi Lori

Thanks for your response. I am trying to do things for myself but he does not like it. I am looking forward to this weekend when he is away for the night and it is just me and the kids and we can do what we want. My husband is still a child at heart.

Excellent, excellent point Lori, I do love him so much, but he is so annoying at times, but the good so outweigh the bad. When we were together before, he was my entire world and I didn't do anything except live for him. This time we are back together, I've got my writing and I didn't stop doing the hobbies that I started when we were apart so it adds a new dimension to our relationship. I'm very happy when he's there, I'm still good when he's not. (For all that may be confused, my husband and I are back together after being apart for 8 years) I guess I was fortunate to have the time to learn about me.