And
certain times are especially fraught with conflict opportunities: a move, job loss, retirement, the birth of a new baby,
kids leaving the nest, an accident or illness, the loss of a parent...
During these and other big life transitions, it's common for couples to experience greater strain and conflict and be at risk for disconnection.
Couples often have more than one marriage without ever getting a divorce, e.g. there is the marriage before
kids, and the one
during kids, or the one
during a
certain educationally or professionally demanding
time, the empty nest marriage, etc.].