Well, I just heard of yet another performer who is getting divorced. (Not someone on this forum.) So I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in. I have known a few over the years.

Remember that you are married to your spouse and not your career.

If you travel a lot and have children be sure to call home every day and see how things are going. When you get back home do your best to maintain the schedule and lifestyle for the kids that your spouse has set up. (Example: Don't come home and say, "Oh, you can stay up later tonight because I'm here.")

Remember that your spouse may not want to be your secretary. Don't get angry if a potential client was lost because they didn't answer the phone. You can hire secretaries that work for multiple organizations if needed.

Do extra around the house and chauffering the kids (or helping with homework) when you're home.

Yes indeed. This is a biggie. Our spouses may feel that we are married to our business. The balancing act it a tough but important one. Constantly juggling the priorities....Family first. Ax

Most arts are a little more fun if one doesn't have to do them for a living and also if one has a comfortable living in which one can do pleasant activities. I was constantly amazed at Vent Haven at the number of people for whom vent was all. As the Buckinghams sang,"kind of a drag."
I believe a college diploma or a couple of university degrees will prove to give one more future control of one's environment than life on the road. Of course, a national safety net also removes a lot of wolves from one's doorstep.
As a newsman I saw the driven on-air lot. As Grandma used to say it didn't take long around them to see,"they aren't right."
My wife, my kids, my brace of hounds and my great life in the Kawartha Lakes are my treasures. Vent is a hobby but just one of many. Ron

My family is always a priority. Would it be cool to sell out arenas around the world? Sure but not at the cost of my family.

Vent is my career -not my entire reason for being.

Family and home are very important to most of us and if you live in a state that has many different venues you have a great chance of keeping your work close to home, if not close, near.

N Jay, You said, "keeping your work close to home, if not close, near." For the sake of those for whom English is a second language, and for me as well, would you please explain the difference between close and near?

If you're close enough to hear a pin drop, than you are near a bowling alley... unless there's a close pin nearby. If you combine close and near it will be clear.

Thanks for making that clear.

I think it would make a great country song.

"My family isn't close, but they're near!"

Keep your enemies close, but your family closer -- or in the closet.

Did you hear about the beginning salesman? He was close to closing the clothes sale, but a clause kept the closure from closing.

So a kid would put his hand up and say,"please sir, can I leave the room?" I'd say absolutely.
The kid would rise take one step and I'd hiss at him, " why are you getting up while I'm teaching and beginning to leave?"
The gob smacked student would reply,"but Sir I asked if I can leave the room!" I'd reply," that's exactly what you said so why are you leaving us?" Those kids I had taught in other grades would let their buddy swing in the wind a while before they came to his rescue.
As Aunt Theresa used to say"CLOSE and NEAR are only good for horseshoes and hand grenades".
Some time I'll tell you about Grade Eleven stoners late for my 12:30 class because they had been communicating with Mary Jane. Everyone needs a little raga every once and a while.

Mary Jane? Close but no Cigar...or is it Near but no Cigar? I think that's close anyway. I better close now, I feel the end is Near....

It's time to close when you get that close....

I overheard my son telling his friend, "I think my dad is smarter than my mom." I smiled. My son's friend said, "Why do you think that?" My son said, "Well, look who my dad married and look who my mom married."

isn't that just the truth and thank goodness for marrying right.

I am sorry but knowing all 3 individuals experiencing this diffcult time makes it hard for me to see the humour.

I suspect that it was more than just being on the road that was the problem, but it is still sad.

I think we got off topic some time ago. I'm sorry that we didn't change the thread. Nobody is making light of a difficult situation (and we all know folks in this situation) so please don't take what we said as an attempt to make something humorous that is not.

The difference between close and near is but a short distance between this and that... hither and yon now and again is somewhere behind one step beyond, could be in the twilight zone. OK so I oooops...call an English professor...

The best advice is -- don't get married in the first place!!!!

My wife would agree to that!