By Allison Pescosolido, M.A. and Andra Brosh, Ph.D.

When you think the milk in your fridge has gone bad, you look on the side of the carton for the expiration date.  If the date of expiration has passed, you simply toss it in the garbage, and buy a new one.

Relationships can also have expiration dates, but unfortunately there is no stamp on your partner’s forehead that tells you it’s time to move on.  As a result, many people stay too long in a sour relationship, which can be toxic and damaging for everyone involved.

Sometimes the last breath of a dying relationship happens early on, like with Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries.  In other situations it comes much later, like with Al and Tipper Gore.  Deciding to stay in a relationship or get out is complicated.  While there are no hard and fast rules about when it’s time to leave, here are a few tips to help you finalize your decision:

Related: When Is It Time To Break Up

Continue reading →

Just shortly after her parents announced their divorce, Al Gore’s eldest daughter’s own separation was announced this week.  Kareanna Gore Schiff and husband, Andrew Schiff, have been married for 13 years, and have three children together.  A source close to the couple told People that the split is amicable.  During their marriage, the couple balanced their busy personal and work lives to remain involved in each others’ lives.  They are not formally divorced, and are seeing a marriage counselor during their separation.

Can a separation really lead to something other than divorce?

Continue reading →

Al and Tipper Gore were high school sweethearts, and their relationship has withstood the Vietnam War, the near death of a child, and a failed presidential campaign attempt in 2000.  Now, the couple that seemed unbreakable, announced that they have chosen to go their separate ways.

How do you pick up the pieces after spending half a lifetime with the same person?

Continue reading →