--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The arrangements that couples make in…" description: "\"The arrangements that couples make in order to maintain civility in the midst of their journey to divorce are often most elaborate when the professed t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/john-irving-337_children_the-arrangements-that-couples-make-in-or_3027033.png" --- # The arrangements that couples make in order to maintain… ![“The arrangements that couples make in order to maintain civility in the midst of their journey to divorce are often most elaborate when the professed top priority is to protect a child.” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/john-irving-337_children_the-arrangements-that-couples-make-in-or_3027033.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/john-irving-337_children_the-arrangements-that-couples-make-in-or_3027033.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fa/john-irving-337_children_the-arrangements-that-couples-make-in-or_3027033.png) > “The arrangements that couples make in order to maintain civility in the midst of their journey to divorce are often most elaborate when the professed top priority is to protect a child.” [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often create complex arrangements to keep peace during divorce, especially when a child’s welfare is the stated priority. **In simple terms:** Divorce arrangements become elaborate to protect children. Key Takeaway Prioritize honest communication over elaborate schemes. Themes family divorce children conflict resolution Mood reflective concerned Type advice analytical When to use this quote - custody negotiations - co‑parenting discussions - mediated settlements Key Concepts ethical compromise parental responsibility emotional labor Questions to Reflect On - How can parents balance child protection with personal honesty? - What alternatives exist to overly elaborate agreements? A Different Perspective Complex arrangements can mask underlying tensions and hinder genuine resolution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civility/) [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Divorce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divorce/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Priorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priorities/) ## Related quotes > [“The will to be polite, to maintain civility and normalcy, is fearfully strong. I wonder sometimes how much evil is permitted to run unchecked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alix-e-harrow/the-will-to-be-polite-to-maintain-civility-and-normalcy-is-fearfully/) Alix E. Harrow > [It was one of those ridiculous arrangements that couples make when they are separating, but before they are divorced - when they still imagine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/it-was-one-of-those-ridiculous-arrangements-that-couples-make-when/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [Only later did I come to understand that to be a mother is to be an illusion. No matter how vigilant, in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/only-later-did-i-come-to-understand-that-to-be-a-mother-is-to-be-an/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [When you become a mother, it's your mission in life to protect your child. 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