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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Living together but separated?

13 replies

Cornishpasty23 · 17/11/2020 14:05

Me and my now ex partner aren’t married but we have a son together, we have a mortgage too.

We get on well as friends and are fond of each other but we’ve realised we’re no longer in love with each other and find it difficult being in a relationship with one another.

As the situation stands we both don’t want to leave our home and we also want to stay here for our son’s sake. Eventually we’ll have to make a decision on what will happen longer term. But I was just wondering if anyone else had done similar and how it worked? I’ve moved into the spare bedroom so that part isn’t an issue.

OP posts:
AryaStarkWolf · 17/11/2020 14:12

I don't know, it might make it harder for you both to move on but only you know what can work. What was difficult when you were in a relationship and does not being in one but still living together erase that issue/s?

x2boys · 17/11/2020 14:16

Im sure short term it will be fine but what if one or both of you meet someone else ?

Nottherealslimshady · 17/11/2020 14:35

Short term it's fine. But I think you'll find that the household balance that used to be tolerable no longer is. And how are you going to see other people. What if one starts going out more and expecting the tiger to be childcare.
There are a lot of things that couples do for eachother that friends dont.

averythinline · 17/11/2020 15:49

How old are dc? It can be easier to sort things out when they are younger....also gives more flexibility with schools etc if you can't stay in same area

marplemead · 17/11/2020 15:59

In a similar situation OP. DH and I are going to live together in the short term, but will review in a year. We considered selling the house, and using the equity to buy two smaller flats, but neither of us could bear not seeing DD every day. The living arrangement is not ideal, but it's currently better than the alternative. Moving on to a new relationship isn't a priority for either of us, but I know this might change in the future.

How are you finding it so far? It's been harder than I thought it would be, because it does feel like being in limbo.

ImRealHonest · 17/11/2020 16:01

Don’t do it.

I split from my husband in July 2019. We were tied into an extortionate lease which was fine between the two of us, but would have meant for one to take the lease on solo, a major change in lifestyle was required. He was the cunt - he cheated. He was already in the spare room for a year or so beforehand for various reasons.

He was offered a job in another country, flight booked for 18 March. They closed the borders on 17 March. He’s still here. As well as we get on as mates, it’s completely the elephant in the room that I know he’s still in contact with OW. He doesn’t flaunt it, but I know who it is on the phone if it rings and he leaves the room.

I met someone. It felt awful heading off for the weekend in our shared car (we sold mine in March and I was to have his when he moved) to go and see my new bloke. It didn’t work out, and I put that down to whilst I was technically available, it kinda felt like cheating and I wasn’t as open and free as I should have been.

Everyone says it’s a red flag for a woman if a man won’t invite you to his house, or is cagey around evening phone calls. And if someone claims to be living with an ex
And separated, to not believe them. I know it happens, as I’m in that situation. It just feels like life is on hold until he goes (fingers crossed, very soon due to new job).

It’s not been good for my mental health. There’s no separation, no closure. All the things that annoyed me about him before - minor things like him leaving tea spoons in the side after brewing up, seem so much more terrible now.

Please reconsider, otherwise it’s difficult to move past it.

notanothertakeaway · 17/11/2020 16:06

@Nottherealslimshady

Short term it's fine. But I think you'll find that the household balance that used to be tolerable no longer is. And how are you going to see other people. What if one starts going out more and expecting the tiger to be childcare. There are a lot of things that couples do for eachother that friends dont.
@Nottherealslimshady

Yeah, probably best not to ask the tiger to do the childcare. It'll eat all the food

www.waterstones.com/book/the-tiger-who-came-to-tea/judith-kerr/9780007215997

Cornishpasty23 · 17/11/2020 16:10

We’ve both said we’re happy with the other one meeting someone new and as long as there are compromises and neither one takes the p*ss.

Our DS is 2 years old.

OP posts:
Sparklesocks · 17/11/2020 16:11

I think it could be messy in the long term

notanothertakeaway · 17/11/2020 16:15

We’ve both said we’re happy with the other one meeting someone new and as long as there are compromises and neither one takes the pss*

It's good you get on well enough to have these conversations, but I think the reality could be quite different

This might interest you www.nbcnews.com/better/health/birdnesting-gives-kids-one-stable-home-after-divorce-does-it-ncna935336

LakieLady · 17/11/2020 16:20

Very different circumstances, but I lived under the same roof as my ex for nearly 5 years before we got divorced. It was hell, but then the marriage was hell, which was why I ended it.

In theory, there's no reason why it shouldn't work, but I can't help thinking that people make more effort to resolve differences amicably when they're in a relationship together than when they're not. Clear ground rules will be important imo.

Cornishpasty23 · 17/11/2020 16:25

Another thing that makes it more complicated is that I’m currently out of work due to Covid so I’m going to struggle if I move out or if he leaves, but I am looking for new work and hoping to find something soon.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 17/11/2020 16:26

Given your son is so young, I think it would be best for you to properly split now before your son gets too much older as it will be much easier on him. I would do everything possible to deal with the house, sell if you need to, and move on with separate households.

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