No one goes into a marriage expecting it to fail. The numbers tell a different story. 50% of couples will split. The average marriage lasts 8 years. When parents go through separation and divorce they can feel immense guilt about how it will affect their children. While separation and divorce are considered an ACE (adverse childhood experience) which is linked to all sorts of negative long term outcomes for children it need not be a disaster. There is a lot that parents can do to act as a buffer and protect children from the fallout.