“They both had affairs.

I turned out to be from one of the affairs.

I’ll never be able to meet my real family because of it.”

Person holding a ring with both hands, sitting on a couch and hugging a pillow

Note: This post contains mentions of domestic abuse and suicide.

People push through difficult periods in their marriages for a whole variety of reasons.

So we found someReddit threadswhere people whose parents"stayed for the kids"explained how things turned out.

Two children sitting at a table with their hands touching. Two adults in the background appear to be having a discussion

Here are some of those stories:

1.

“They’re still together years after I moved out.

“They divorced when I was 10, and I remember crying tears of joy.

A silhouetted couple argues in a dimly lit hallway; the woman gestures with frustration while the man leans back against the wall holding his head

My father was so horrible to my mom, and I’ve always felt responsible.

They had my siblings, split up, and then got together again to have me.

I’m majorly messed up in the relationship department after all that shit.

Two people in a bedroom, the woman in the foreground sits on the edge of a bed, holding her head in her hands, while the man in the background appears distressed

So yeah, don’t stay together for the sake of kids.”

“It was devastating.

My parents hated each other and argued bitterly on a daily basis, but stayed together for 40 years.

Two people are engaged in a conversation; one is speaking while the other listens and takes notes. Their names are not known

“I always wished my parents would have divorced.

I would have rather shuffled between two homes than listened to fighting at dinner every night.”

“My parents fought and screamed all the time behind closed doors.

Two people sharing a breakfast table with croissants, fruits, orange juice, coffee, and various jams. Faces are not visible

Life continues to throw curveballs, but they have each other’s backs forever.”

“I wish they had gotten a divorce, honestly.

Their unhappiness spilled over into every aspect of everything.

A man and woman are in a heated argument indoors with gestures indicating anger and frustration. Their faces are partially shadowed

“Growing up, my parents were pretty unhappy.

It felt like high school drama all over again, and they blamed us for it.

It was a lot of guilt-tripping, a lot of manipulation, and a lot of toxicity.”

Two elderly hands holding each other gently, symbolizing support and care. Green foliage background

“They both had affairs.

I turned out to be from one of the affairs.

I’ll never be able to meet my real family because of it.”

A person with curly hair looks out of a window, with arms resting on the window frame, gazing at a garden scene outside

“They waited too long for a divorce.

I was 11 when I realized my parents weren’t in a happy marriage.

I even told my mom that I’d go live with my dad when they did get a divorce.

A bartender pours liquor into multiple shot glasses on a neon-lit bar counter

Weirdly enough, four years later, they’re back together.”

“Not me, but a friend from high school.

They finally split in her senior year; her mental health increased drastically, and her grades skyrocketed.”

Several people are at a wooden table, using hand gestures during a discussion. One person has a tattoo on their arm

“They’ve hated each other for so long they think it’s love.

They’re old now and as unhappy as they ever were.

He’s a really great guy, and I feel so bad for him.”

Woman in casual clothing, sitting cross-legged on a couch with a laptop nearby, looking contemplative. No other persons present

“They tried [to stay together for the kids] and then ended up divorcing.

Would not recommend.”

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

A person is removing a ring from their finger while seated at a table. Their face is not visible

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.

Other international suicide helplines can be found atbefrienders.org.

A teacher holds a test paper with an "A+" grade on it in front of students seated at desks in a classroom

The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386.

An older couple sits back-to-back on a bed in a bright room, appearing upset. A framed landscape photo hangs on the wall behind them

A man in a gray t-shirt and dark pants sits on the floor near a radiator, resting his head on his hand, appearing stressed or tired

An older man with short curly hair and glasses looks at his phone. He is wearing a sweater and earphones