How Nintendo Saved My Marriage

Noah informed me that he wants Rich and I to get a divorce. Which, like most statements that come out of the mouths of my children, caught me completely off guard. I must admit this request threw me for a particular loop because Rich and I do not display any typical (or atypical) signs of a couple whose marriage is in imminent danger of divorce.

After further discussion with Noah, it turns out the only reason he wants us to divorce is because he wants step-brothers and sisters since most of his friends have them. Obviously, the only way you get step-siblings is if your parents are divorced and marry other people. So much like he would ask for an ipod, a video game, or new toy, Noah asked me if Rich and I could get divorced, marry other people, give him some step-brothers, get divorced from those people, and then marry each other again.

I (rationally, first mistake)explained to Noah that his dad and I made a promise in front of God, our family, and our friends to stay married forever and we were keeping it. He seemed to understand the concept, but was determined to work around it if there was a way for Rich and I to keep our promise and he could have his step-siblings.

I tried a different angle. I said he would have to live at his dad's house for a week, then with me for a week. Not the greatest of plans, but again, some of his friends do it and survive, plus we would all still live in Stevens Point, so again, Noah was still not convinced divorce was a horrible thing as long as he would become a stepbrother.

Unknowingly, I saved my marriage when I told Noah that all the video game stuff, like the Wii, the DS's, and the Game Cube, would come with me to my house because his dad hates video games. Noah was panicked at the idea he would have to go for a week at a time without any video games. Cold Turkey. Not one video game to be found in the house while Noah was over there. It was more than his little video game loving heart could bear.

Suddenly, Noah had a change of heart about divorce and being a step brother.

Now he never wants Rich and I to divorce and we need to keep our promise to God.

Noah's exact words were: "Now I get it Mom! If you and dad break your promise to God and get a divorce, Dad will never let me play video games again! It's okay..I don't need a step-brother or sister that badly and you and dad need to stay married."

Amen to that.