After a divorce, you’d imagine that the former spouses would want some space away from each other. However, many are actually living together post-divorce. While this may seem like an odd choice, there are actually some understandable reasons behind it…
Living Together Post-Divorce: Managing Changes
Financial reasons
Divorce can be an expensive process. This can leave one or both spouses without a lot of money for things like a new apartment or house. Add in additional living expenses, and things can quickly become too costly.
Living together post-divorce means that these costs go down considerably. Each person can help contribute to paying bills or buying food, which makes it much cheaper than if they were living alone. This also gives each person the ability to save money for their own place in the future as well.
Child concerns
Divorcing with children can also be pretty difficult. Often times, each parent wants to still be a good example for the kids. This tends to especially be true if parents worry about the divorce being too much of a change for their kids.
Sometimes, parents will then try a period of living together post-divorce. This is done to help their kids adjust to the divorce while also still having both parents around. While this can help initially, it may be a little difficult for a child to adjust to their parents living together but not being “together”.
Making it work
Living together post-divorce might seem like it would be an awkward experience. Or, it might allow for those same problems that lead to the divorce to continue. However, that’s why both exes have to establish some boundaries beforehand.
Establish some ground rules for who will be sleeping where and how you’d like to share common areas. These boundaries will help you get yourself in a better emotional space as you transition into living together. Make sure to also practice some self-care as well. Just because you’re still living together for the time being doesn’t mean you can’t get a jump on your post-divorce goals.
It can be difficult to consider living with your ex. However, it might be the best decision in the long run. Having some time to save money or help your kids adjust will allow you to fully enjoy your post-divorce life down the line. Keep your boundaries clear and you’ll find you and your ex might be able to handle living together.