How can you separate if you can't afford it?

[TuftedLadyGrotto]

I'm fairly certain I want to end my marriage. I've been considering it for a few years. But what has always stopped me has been the lack of money

We moved into our current house 2 years ago, after 9 years of negative equity in our first house. We own it jointly. We only have a small amount of equity, and some debt for car. Less than 6k debt though, if that.

The only way I can see doing it is to sell the house and split. But that is an added trauma to the kids (age 5 and 8).

I've been looking at rented, but they are all the same cost as the mortgage per month. I don't think I could afford it. I couldn't afford this house on my own.

I feel so trapped and unhappy. We've been married 10years, and I just can't go on being this unhappy.

When one is in your position, the angst over maintaining the housing status quo for the children can blind you to the bigger issues. In reality, your children will be absolutely fine if they are well loved and well supported through a split. Don't think of your current house as being their only possible home. If you need to downsize or move elsewhere, as long as their new home if full of love and fun, they will be fine. Having 2 happy parents is infinitely more important than 2 sad ones.

Could you rent out a room?