Hopefully you and your spouse have made it through Christmas unscathed and still in love. I know this time of year can bring on many stressors, starting at Thanksgiving. Does the concept of New Year’s Eve have any stressors specific to itself? Some would say yes I do believe.
Night clubs or no night clubs; have a party or not have a party? And we cannot forget the possible intoxicated spouse scenario. But New Year’s Eve does not have to be a negative experience. If you make New Year’s resolutions, it’s suggested that the two of you make one resolution together that will benefit your marriage.
This is the time of year that you may get those old familiar urges to make a resolution to make change in your lives, to do better, to be better, to love more, to get out of debt, etc. This is good. To a point. Too often good intentions and resolutions turn out to be rather large failures and you may think less of yourself.
This is not a good way to start a new year. Additionally, your own or your spouse’s poor self-image can have a very negative impact on your marriage. Aside from your personal resolutions, it’s suggested that the two of you make one resolution that will enhance your marriage. It could be as simple as investing more time together.
Most of us enjoy the splendor and glory of candles. Candles are visible reminders of our possible triumph over darkness. Have you ever noticed how one candle can go nearly unnoticed yet when you have a lot of candles lit, their presence is domineering and you can’t ignore their impact.
So, plan a candle lit dinner for two and plan them often. I do have to ask this question, what will be more important to you this New Year’s Eve? Should it be the atmosphere, does it have to be an all-out rocking drinking fest? Is that what is important? We all know that having a few drinks on that night is somewhat of a norm, not getting out of hand should be too. Having a good safe time is what is important.
While some couples may be kissing under the mistletoe this holiday season, many others are destined for a date in divorce court. Matrimonial lawyers know that this time of year produces a very well-known annual event: After the champagne has flowed on New Year’s Eve, divorce fillings and the number of new cases inevitably begin to spike.
Many unhappy spouses make the resolution to move forward with a divorce some time during the course of the previous year or possibly even long before that. As is often the case, they choose to bide their time with a great deal of deliberation and patience. Remaining committed to spending one last holiday season as a family unit; the estranged spouse decides to make the best of it just one more time before announcing the decision to end the marriage.
In this case maybe the New Year’s shindig didn’t have anything to do with it; sounds like the decision may have already been made. While the rest of us look forward to the fun and revelry that comes with saying goodbye to an old year and welcoming a new one, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are the two most dangerous dates on the calendar for women and men at risk of domestic violence.
The statistics aren’t changing for the better, even though more of us are talking about the problem. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, domestic violence reports increase as much as 30 percent on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. This comes after lower than average reports of domestic violence between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I know this article may put a very real damper on the festive concept of New Year’s Eve, which could be simply smoke and mirrors for what may actually be going on one’s life. I truly hope that you have a blessed, loving and safe New Year’s Eve.
