The "Little People, Big World" family is dealing with some big changes this year. Matt and Amy Roloff, parents to four kids together, have decided to separate after 26 years of marriage, they announced on March 12.
"Though we have weathered many storms together, we recently made the tough decision to engage in a trial separation," the couple said in a statement to Us Weekly. "Matt remains living on the farm in our guesthouse, and we work together every day on the farm, on our business endeavors, and most importantly, raising our amazing children."
"We sincerely appreciate the unwavering support, understanding, and prayers from our family, friends, and many fans," the statement continued. "May God bless you."
The Helvetia, Ore.-based couple's trial separation will be the focus of a new one-hour special on TLC on March 25. Filmed in the final weeks of 2013, the special shows Matt and Amy figuring out their new family dynamic as they prepare for the holidays with their children, twin sons Jeremy and Zach, 23, daughter Molly, 20, and son Jacob, 17.
"Last year, it was long and tough," Matt says in a preview from the episode. "Amy and I had a lot of tensions, so right around Thanksgiving, I thought I would move over to the [guest] house for a little bit."
He continues, "Amy and I stuck it out for years when maybe we shouldn't have. I never quite felt at home in my own home, so something needed to change. We needed to try something different."
"I think what Matt and I failed to do over many, many years was learn to live together," Amy adds. "It's not my choice for him to leave. I am saddened by it. It's been 26 years. We don't have a plan for how we're going to work this out, so it's not going to be easy."
