‘Marriage is a challenge, but the best thing I’ve ever done’

Wife and mother Sybilla Hart has said that marriage is a bedrock for her children.

Writing for The Daily Telegraph, the mother-of-five urged couples to prioritise their marriages for both themselves and their children’s sakes, saying that if a marriage is neglected, everyone else in the house suffers too.

In the last 50 years, the marriage rate for young people has plummeted by almost 100 per cent, according to a report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

Love and devotion

Sybilla, who is a Roman Catholic, recalled how marrying at 24 years old “felt risky” and “naïve”, but said: “Marrying Charlie was the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“Getting married to your first love is seen as foolish and old-fashioned – but thanks to our devotion to each other, we have had the last laugh.”

On the difficulties of marriage, she explained: “Maintaining a loving relationship with a spouse is of utmost importance because, like a running tap, the excess should trickle into the child’s cup too. If Charlie and I aren’t getting on, the likelihood is no-one else is going to have a happy time at home either.”

Good for children

The mother believes that it is good for her children “to know that aside from us being Mum and Dad, we are also a husband and wife”, noting that her marriage is a “positive foundation” for them.

She noted that this is supported by statistics, quoting CSJ’s Harry Bradshaw: “Children in married households do better at school, have better physical and mental health, and go on to form stronger relationships themselves.”

“Marriage remains the best way to raise a family,” she concluded.