WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A HUSBAND IN 2019 BY CLEMMIE’S HUSBAND, BEN TELFORD

I agree with Sir Paul Coleridge, the founder of the Marriage Foundation, who said that the only sensible explanation for this downturn in women filing for divorce is that men are behaving better when it comes to marriage. And also with Joanne Edwards, head of law firm Forsters, who analysed the findings and says she found a “sea change in the sharing of childcare responsibilities within the home, and fathers who are ever more hands-on”.

Men are also trying to be more mindful of how our other halves are feeling. Our third child was born last February, and a few weeks ago I quit my job to be a stay-at-home dad. When Clemmie had our first child, I had no idea what it was like being at home all day with a baby.

After our most recent arrival, I asked my boss if I could take shared parental leave. He’s a bit of a dinosaur and said: “Why on earth would you want to do that?” The answer? I want to hang out with my kids more, and support Clemmie in her career. It’s hard and lonely at times, but I love it. And it helps me be mindful of what it is to be a mother.

I’m not surprised fewer couples are getting divorced. We’re talking and listening to each other more than ever.