“If you think your children don’t know that you and/or your spouse aren’t happy, you are dead wrong. Choosing to stay with your partner for the ’sake of the kids’ will ultimately do them more harm than good.”

As a Senior Staff Writer at BuzzFeed, I cover real-life stories that explore relationships, lifestyle (including travel and beauty), and the internet's most fascinating trends.

"Co-parenting is hard even in an amicable divorce. And yeah, sometimes, it flat-out sucks. But it's so much better than forcing your kids to live in a household under siege."

"People only change if THEY want to. All the flaws you see before marriage will still exist, and no matter how much you try to change someone, it won't work. You either grow together or grow apart."

"Don't settle just because they make your pulse race. That heat doesn't last unless you truly feel emotionally and psychologically connected the majority of the time. And if your children are witnessing a constant battle, set up separate camps and stay there. Otherwise, they will carry emotional scars with them — and into their own relationships someday. Model peace to them, however you have to do it."

"However, attempting to help someone who has unhealed childhood trauma, is maybe unmotivated to be happy, and refuses to seek professional help is a fruitless endeavor that could harm you in the process."

"In my 40s, I know now that understanding yourself and being able to ask for what you need is essential when binding yourself to another person."

"Get into the weeds on those decisions beforehand. Because divorces can be complicated, too. And those are also joint decisions, whether you think they are or not."

"To paraphrase Maya Angelou: When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. If you think you are being lied to, don’t doubt your own senses. And don’t expect them to ever tell the truth. Once a liar, always a liar."

"Do not let the optimism of youth make you think, 'It's all good; we will work that out later.'"

"Eventually, the other spouse mimics the behavior or completely shuts down, which will inevitably lead to divorce."

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