Lauren Fleshman & Jesse Thomas announce they're divorcing even though they're best friends. Internet rejoices and praises them

You are suggesting or stating that the ONLY way for parents to "take responsibility" for children or that the "ideal" or best way to raise children is by living in a western, traditional, married, heteronormative situation...that also sacrifices autonomy...And that. Is patently not true.

That poster didn't say that. That poster said he agreed with you if there weren't kids involved.

Divorcing due to abuse or infidelity is something we all understand. Divorcing because you are sexually attracted to new people is the definition of putting your interests ahead of your child's interests.

That is just a fact. You can still say it is "worth it" in your opinion, but that doesn't change how the child generally feels about it.

At least the children are young that it really should not make too big a difference if mommy and daddy aren’t under the same roof. I suspect one of them had met someone else and to keep from “cheating” an official divorce was necessary. Not a fan of either, but wish them well. Hope we don’t see nastiness and a custody battle in a few years

Well, this couple didn't disclose why they are divorcing in their post. It was only added later on that LF had come out as queer/bi and then people in this post speculated that was the reason for the split (you have done it twice, and others have done it too), and THEN you are piling your own opinion as to if that is selfish or not and how it's impacting their children onto the speculation nothing burger you are making.

Given that all of your posts are opinions based off speculation, built on various vague stereotypes about queer people, I think this is going to be my last post about this at least with you: but I hope it does point out that there is a lot of just speculation going on in here.

Read the last 2 sentences. "We like each other's company and share community, so if you have an event you want to invite us both to, please do! Just don't be surprised if one or both of us brings a date :)"

She wrote that entirely herself. Most of it already clearly isn't written by him, and the final 2 sentences are even more blatantly not what a male would write.

It has nothing to do with queer or bi people at all; nor do I see how that would matter at all? People, of all orientations, put their own sexual interests above the stability of their children's lives. That is a fact, not an opinion. It is also not an opinion to say that kids don't generally think this is a great choice for the family. The parents tell the kids it is "better" for everyone involved, but the kids know the truth.

In the words of Brother Ali if you don't agree (and one of the best hip-hop songs ever):

Holidays and you know what the business is,
You get two birthdays and two Christmases.
Older you get, you resent how sick it is.
They're trying to cover their guilt with the gifts they give
Bed time stories, and greet them on the phone,
Live in two houses and neither one is home

JFC, she wrote that? Kill me now. They “share community”?

Yeah, I think sexuality is beside the point. Stigmas aside, I think people are just sad because they seemed like such a wonderful pair, figuring things out together. Lauren spoke about Jesse's support through the book-writing and depression, being the "primary parent." And it was so cool to watch them build a company together and have them share insights in being high achievers in sport and life together. So now it feels like a bummer because they're not a married couple we're rooting for anymore.

It was a lie.

I mean I'm sure some of it was real, but since they are ending their marriage, I'd say that much of it was for show. For social media, to sell themselves or be in a state of denial.

"high achievers in sport and life"

Sport I'll give you. Who said they or anyone were high achievers in "life"?

This is why social media is toxic. It's why the people who chase attention and the "perfect life" on social media are also toxic. It's why the "we are so proud of us" post is toxic. It just reeks of "look at me I'm better than you! Even at my worst, I'm STILL better than you!"

There was a time when social media didn't exist. I hope we collectively remember that. You didn't have to sell yourselves, your brand, or a fake version of your life, you could just live it for whatever it was. They've gotten so wrapped up in showing off how evolved they are to everyone, that now they even have to promote that in a divorce.

and one final thing here, describing a divorce with kids involved as "healthy" is insulting. Is it necessary? is it better in the long run? Is it the right thing to do? That's for the couple to determine. But to say "this is the healthiest thing I've read!!!!" is ridiculous. The children's family is breaking apart and it's going to be very hard on them. It's not always about the adults.

If you downvoted this guy's post, can you explain why? I don't think they were faking it. They are part of the PNW community and if they were "faking it" they were doing a really, really good job. They seemed really happy together for many years.

Anyway, I think this poster is spot on. He totally nailed my feelings on this one. That is exactly why this is so sad, in my opinion.

Yea the comments on her post are cringe worthy. Their statement about sharing community means they don’t want social circles picking sides & excluding one of them from an event/networking opportunity

Lauren has posted numerous times in her stories during Pride Month that she's bisexual, so that wouldn't surprise me.

Honestly, I find it sad for Jesse. I get that people grow apart and divorce happens, but Lauren has posted a bit on Instagram about how she's been depressed for roughly the last year or so and how much Jesse took over the kids while she was writing her book. I can only imagine he's feeling a bit raw over taking over so much when he was expecting things to return to normal once the book was released and Lauren was on the mend. But to then get hit with a divorce is brutal.

I've read that there are three scenarios for divorce and the outcomes.

1. The couple is no longer in love and they no longer get along.

2. The couple is no longer in love, but they are amicable.

3. The couple is in love, but they fight a lot.

Obviously, being in love and getting along is the ideal, but no one considers divorce in that scenario. In scenario 1, if getting divorced will improve the interactions of the parents then divorce is the better option. The same goes for scenario 3. However, in scenario 2, the parents should stay together because that is what is ultimately what's best for the kids.

So the people who say you should stay together no matter what and the people who say that you should do what you can to make yourself happy are both wrong. It's the middle that wins. You don't necessarily have to be in love with your partner anymore, but if you can co-parent fine then staying married is the better option.

Sorry to hear the news. My wife and I have been married nearly 40 years, and we definitely went through some struggles. We stayed the course, though, and I'm happy we did, as we came to terms with how our relationship and love was changing but still vital to our lives. Our children and grandchildren love to come to our home and see us a single entity. I cannot imagine it being any other way. It means everything.

They are people I'll never know, and I'd be truly surprised if anyone commenting here is a relative or in their close friends circle. So I don't put my nose into their business, even if they choose to put it on SM. Because it's still not my business. And what's on SM has zero bearing on my life. I don't care what they do with their lives, they are allowed to parent however they prefer. It's lunacy to feel "sad" over something that doesn't involve you at all. This is old women's judgy gossip.

BINGO!!! The outright worship of individuality, hedonism and instant gratification is getting sad to see, and I think collective attitudes on divorce and family is indicative of this trend. Also, another word for "self-autonomy" and "independence" that people love to talk about is LONELINESS. I don't think we should be dependent on any one person or people for our happiness, but at the same most things in life that we want to do is going to require other people, which means we should probably learn how to give up instant gratification and learn to get along with others instead of seeking a life with no responsibility for others.

Well, we locals have met and known them for years. They are part of our athletic community here and were well-liked (still are) by everyone I know. I am not "family" but I am still sad to hear that even people who are working hard to make the right choices end up in this situation and it derails their lives (and their kids' lives). Divorce sounds brutal. I have a good friend who just went through this and it was rough. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.