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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Original poster

Radio 4 programme "Separate Together" about happy couples who choose to live apart - does anyone do this?

3 replies

PerfectMother · 27/04/2007 20:41

Monday at 11am:

Mariella Frostrup talks to three couples who choose to live apart and examines why this is a growing phenomenon. Research carried out by the Office For National Statistics estimates that two million people in the UK live in separate homes from their partners. Mariella explores what such relationships reveal about gender roles, independence and identity.

Sounds fascinating. Does anyone on MN do this?

OP posts:

goodnanny · 27/04/2007 21:02

oooh this is exciting, just been discussing this about my own situation!
my dh and i are having what was originally a trial separation..but we get on really well at weekends when we see each other (cos of the kids)and we would never want to stop being good friends. i keep saying to dh "cant we still be together but not live together?"
and he says, "no, whats the point?"
But i think it could be the only way that we actually work. Never heard of other couple doing it though! thought i was strange!

Original poster

PerfectMother · 27/04/2007 21:05

Listen to the prog, it might be elucidative!

(I'm not a Redio 4 mole, BTW, just interested )

OP posts:

bellarosa · 27/04/2007 21:11

When I was an idealistic teenager i used to think that i could have my house with the children and my (imaginary) dh could have a house down the road or next door and that would be ok, as i just couldnt comprehend actually having to live with someone else and put up with all their stuff and ways of doing things!

I still fantasise about doing it oneday! just to have some space and a bit of freedom from dh and visa versa. He just doesnt get it though and got seriously huffy when i mentioned that i want to have my own room when we move house. not so we always sleep seperatly, but more of a boudouir, or retreat to go to sometimes!

My mum and her husband do it, he lives in france and she in uk, see each other monthly or go and live with each other for abit now and then and go on holidays etc.
Think they get the best of each other as they really appreciate the time they do spend together and dont have all the everyday drudge to put up with.

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