Happy or unhappy marriage? One or two incomes?

[KelNottAt]

Poll coming

I just heard about ANOTHER couple I know who's spliting up. That makes 5 in one month.

In each of these couples, the main reason was that neither the husband nor wife felt appreciated. They were all 1 income households.

Now I'm wondering if this is just a fluke, or something significant. So, I figure I'd ask my DIS friends to rate their marital happines and report whether they're a 1 or 2 income household.

Stand by...

 

[MagicalMom]

Very happy & a 2 income family.

 

[AllyandJack]

We've been both. Truthfully, we liked it better when I stayed home. We spent more time together. I was less stressed.

But, with no kids, I got bored. Not that I didn't feel appreciated, I was just bored. Everything was cleaned....everything was done....nothing left to do but watch TV. Not healthy.

I essentially work part-time now and I'm home most days. Money isn't the issue, the issue is me sitting in traffic and coming home in a bad mood.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Happy, 2 income

 

[kimbac3]

Happy , 1 income.
Kimba

 

[binny]

one and a half income family my job doesnt bring in as much as a full income so I call it a half.

We are really happy most of the time. I think everyone feels unappreiciated sometimes but the trick is to work through it.

 

[Viking]

Happy, 2 incomes, no kids.

 

[CarolG]

Happy, two incomes, two kids - one graduating from high school and starting college, and one graduating from UGA and starting grad school.

 

[sweet angel]

I picked married, 2 incomes, mostly unhappy. We're not actually married, but have lived together long enough.

 

[Connieh]

Happy - 2 incomes

I often wonder would I be happier with just one income and being able to stay home.....I know the house would be cleaner, at the least.

Connie

 

[motherhen17404]

We have been married for 23 years and we have had a mixture of all of the choices. The worse time for us was when we were both working too many hours and our son was in 1st grade. It was just not working for us, so I decided to work part-time, and that seemed to work better for our family. But we moved and I had to give up the job. I am now a SAHM, and I can see the day when I will go back to work, I am getting bored!

 

[ead79]

We’re happily married and have 2 incomes. That being said, one day we hope to be a 1 income family so I can stay at home. I think there are ways a person can be shown appreciation without them having to work outside the home.

 

[lclark0621]

Happy 1 income family here.

We were DINKS (Double Income No Kids) until the very end of 2001 when we moved to a different state. In 2002 I became pregnant and just continued my "time off" for the first time since I was 14 years old.

In 2003, DS was born & that was it. I am a Stay At Home Mom, and I love it.

DH understands even though I dont "bring home a salary", I do have a job. My job just does not get a paycheck. DH respects me & I respect him. We value what each other does & we help each other as much as possible.

 

[Dory's Twin]

Happy, 1 income....never had 2 so wouldn't know how that felt. 2 children, 1 HS, 1 Jr High. Every marriage has tough times....those that stay together just work harder at it!

 

[NMAmy]

I'm happily married with two incomes.

However, I was also unhappily divorced with two incomes from my first husband so, at least in my case, the income or lack thereof was a cause. ETA: DUH. What I meant to say was that it was NOT a cause of being unhappy. My fingers got away from me on this post.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I voted happy/unhappy about equal with our 1 income.

I started a WAHM job--not to confident in calling us a 2 income family just yet. But as I adjust do doing this, I am a little bit happier to be able to once again contribute financially. he is on field assignment right now--I will certainly be happier when we are a married--living under the same roof couple again.

The only 1 income couples I know of divorcing--one is due to adultery (oh--and that he moved in with her) and the other was due to difficult matter that threatened the safety of one party.

The other divorcees are all 2 income families.

 

[froglady]

1 income since having children, happy, married 30 years this November.

Divorces of friends in the last couple of years:

2 incomes (professionals earning comparable incomes), two grown children in 3 cases, 2 school aged in the other, 15-25+ years of marriage....4 couples

1 income, 2-3 children, including one special needs child...2 couples

In all but one instance, it was due to adultery on the husband's part. The other was due to a costly illness (husband), where divorce allowed for more assistance.

 

[WDWLVR]

Happily married DINKS

 

[kpm76]

Married, two incomes and very happy I love to work and don't see myself ever being able to adjust to staying home after we have kids. Never say never but I honestly think I will be a better parent if I work at least part-time.

 

[Chicago526]

Happy 2 income, but we've only been married 6 months, give us time!