The 3rd Stage of Relationships: Make or Break Point

In relationships, the third stage is crucial - it's known as the "seven-year or five-year itch."

• According to Brown, every relationship has a drift apart phase.
• This can either lead to coming back together or drifting apart.
• A crisis can be the key to overcoming this phase and talking it out together.

For some couples, having children can either solidify their bond or cause stress that breaks the relationship apart. If the crisis stage is successfully overcome, the next stage is deep attachment.