Why Our Marriage Survives Parenthood and Autism

It was unusual not to see the neighbor’s daughter playing ball or with the dogs, but last night was different. There was somberness in her yard— In the wake of a marriage gone wrong, I saw her quietly eating her dinner on the back deck… alone. I silently wondered how many women across the nation where childless on this Father’s Day.

In America there is currently an overall 60% divorce rate. In a family that faces autism it is even higher— a staggering 85% rate. However, (so far) we have beaten the odds!

I say ‘so far’ because you just don’t know what life will bring you. We haven’t always expected to have the curve balls thrown at us that have come our way on this adventure called marriage… and I am sure there will be more to come. It is how we respond that will help us survive.

We were once told by a good therapist there was two key components in making a marriage work. And, Shirley was right; over the years we have learned the fine art of what has become known to us as "The Two C’s". So by the time we entered the world of parenthood, we were experts in the two things many families struggle with — Compromise and Communication.

When you become a parental unit and are faced with a disability you have no choice but to compromise and communicate. And through the practice of these two traits we have learned to stay in love. Being in love with another is a realm that you develop over time and is much different than the lust and excitement of an early childless relationship.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13.

These words were read at our marriage ceremony more than 13 years ago, but when the romanticism died we needed to heed these words more than ever. I once put my name everywhere this biblical phrase said, "Love" and asked myself the following questions.

Is Susan Patient?
Is Susan Kind?
Does Susan envy or boost?
Is Susan Arrogant or Rude?
Does Susan insist on her own way?
Is Susan irritable or resentful?
Does Susan rejoice at wrong doing?
Does Susan rejoice with the truth?
Does Susan bear all things?

These answers were my gage on how I was respecting my spouse, my friends, my colleagues, and now my children. I still use this as a guide to treat others the way I want to be treated; The Golden Rule.

Over time, our mastery of Communication, Compromise, and Corinthians has served us well.

Yesterday, we were content to have an adventurous father’s day complete with an old fashioned cookout, good friends and kids running amuck; a day to celebrate alterna-dad. He seemed to enjoy the company of his best friend and his new-found family. But truth be known, we never have been big on the whole hallmark holiday thing.

We tend to have the attitude that if you do not show the person appreciation and respect throughout the year, that one special day isn’t going to make up for the difference. We need to communicate, compromise, and express love all year long to one another—especially in the difficult times.