KIVI News Channel 6 - The Rebound - “Fewer Idaho Couples Divorcing Since Start of Pandemic”

Kristen Skovira:    Welcome to ‘Good Morning Idaho’ on your Tuesday morning. I’m Kristen Skovira.

Matt Sizemore:    And I’m Matt Sizemore. For many couples, the pandemic is putting their relationship to the test. From postponed weddings to months-long lockdowns, some places around the country are even reporting a rise in divorce.

Kristen Skovira:    Yeah, but what about here in Idaho? In today’s Rebound Report our Karen Lehr talks with a local marriage counselor who says the pandemic is actually strengthening relationships for many Idaho couples.

Wendy Barth:    There are tons of new couples reaching out to me.

Karen Lehr:    With quarantine keeping couples in close quarters, many are seeking counseling. Because let’s face it -

Wendy Barth:    There are a lot of pressures on people right now.

Karen Lehr:    From changing work schedules and unexpected unemployment, to taking on the responsibilities of remote learning, Idaho parents and spouses are dealing with unprecedented stress. Wendy Barth works with couples in the Treasure Valley and says many who are dealing with relationship problems through the pandemic are seeing already existing issues amplified.

Wendy Barth:    If there’s a big disconnect in the relationship already, it’s really difficult to be right next to the person that you’re disconnected from 24-7.

Karen Lehr:    But statewide it seems married couples are working through their differences, despite the hurdles thrown their way. From March through December of last year there were fewer divorces filed than that same time period in 2019. That goes for Ada and Canyon Counties and the entire state. But it’s also possible couples have put plans to split on hold. With in-person court services harder to access, and the cost of divorce adding to existing financial hardships. At a county and state level, last April saw a dramatic drop in the number of divorces filed - with lockdowns in full effect. Whatever the reason may be, the new normal of virtual communication is making it easier for couples to work through their concerns.

Wendy Barth:    So marriage counseling is a lot more accessible because it’s all on Zoom. And they don’t have to get a babysitter, they don’t have to drive downtown to my office. It’s been really good for some people.

Karen Lehr:    Barth says half of her clients are seeing improvement in their relationships since the start of the pandemic, with more time to slow down and appreciate time together that they wouldn’t normally have.

Wendy Barth:    Some of these couples are telling me, “You know, we’re doing better than ever, and it’s just because we can look at each other’s faces and we can sit down and have dinner together or cook together or hang out and binge watch TV together…