My partner and I are splitting up, which has been ongoing since November last year. I didn't think I would be able to buy him out of our home but am now able to have that as an option, however I'm really unsure if it is the right thing to do for me and for DD who is 3.5.
My main worries are, for me, that it won't feel like a fresh start. The relationship was abusive, emotionally and once in this house physically. Since I found out staying was an option, I felt initial relief at not having to move and happiness at being able to live in my lovely home without feeling like I have to walk on eggshells. Then more recently I've felt just awful about it emotionally, keep imagining my ex not being here, crying over it, feel like he is leaving me rather than the relationship mutually ending. I feel like it's easier to imagine the reality of not being together if I stay here and maybe that's why I'm so upset.
For my daughter, I'm worried that although she'll have everything the same at home and the only change will be dad not living there anymore, that actually she might feel his absence more in a home that she remembers him living in. For example he has his own room and this is 'daddy's room', I can imagine her going and looking for him there, then being upset when I explain again that he doesn't live with us anymore. He works from home full time so she is very used to him being around our home. He plans to see her Eow and 'maybe' a couple of times in the week so her main home will be with me.
Hoping to hear from anyone who stayed in the family home with young kids and how that has gone, or any opinions on what might be best for DD to help her cope with the change. Of course I have the option of moving to another house with her but I'm not sure if that would be even more unsettling, just in a different way.