“Study: Marriage does not improve children’s development”
That is a lie straight from the pit of hell. My wife and my previous g/f each were single mothers of the two most f’d up girls I’ve ever met. I have yet to meet a kid as messed up as these two that HAD a mother and a father living in the home.
I married a divorced lady with two daughters. Her daughters behavior improved significantly. She says I “civilized” them.
Strangely enough, my behavior improved, too.
I am a lucky, lucky man, I am.
My husband and I were both from badly broken homes. Our individual walks through hell forged us into good people.
I can see how going through a difficult period can help someone gain strength and force them to think smarter to get through it.
But I wouldn’t say that that’s the ideal way to raise kids. Some will become like steel and some will melt in that particular forge.
Right now I have two teenagers. At this point I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no right way to raise kids. 8-\ I see mixed results no matter what the method of parenting. But at least I have no guilt. I did my very best by these kids. What they chose to do with that is on them.
And that is the only true upside of doing everything ‘right’. Even my kids admit that they can’t blame my husband and me for their personal failings. Maybe being forced to take responsibility for their personal choices will make them better people in the long run.