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Husband wants to separate but still live together with the children

369 replies

PrincessCalley · 12/09/2026 12:03

Hi all, so I've posted before about my marriage being in trouble. My husband has now told me he wants to leave me. He needs to do things and wants to be on his own, maybe travel to China or South America. Ive been processing this the best part of 6 weeks. Doing okay most of the time. However, we also have 2 kids. 13 and 11. He now wants us to sell our home and move into town and live together. Im actually okay with this idea (about moving to town) but the living together while living separate lives is not sitting well with me. In a few years the kids will have gone to college etc so what happens then? He then floated the idea of buying 2 houses close to each other. Sounds great but this will cost the best part of 900k and our house is not worth near that. We have no mortgage currently. He seems to be loosing his grip on reality in that he thinks life will be great and money will come but im stressing about paying for everything. Kids are expensive, running a house is expensive. He also talks about us getting back together in a few years when we've had time apart. We can then rent the 2nd home. I think hes losing his grip on reality and am not sure whats going on. We are both early 40s. Anyone have any thoughts? Mid life crisis? There is definitely noone else involved but he has struck up a friendship with some people in their 20s who are in his gym and I am convinced this is playing a part. He spends a lot of time texting one of the 24yr old girls. She has a partner but i am starting to think she give him attention that he feels i dont. As his permanently stressed out wife.

OP posts:
Ooohaaahjustalittlebit · 12/09/2026 17:36

So he wants to have his cake and eat it? All the perks of being single but also the security of a home and family?

CheekyRaven · 12/09/2026 17:36

No. No. No. Chuck him out, let h8m find his own place. You can keep the house until the children have at least left school. Take him for maintenance. Make him do his bit for childcare. Selfish bugger!

mumumental · 12/09/2026 17:36

Goonie1 · 12/09/2026 12:25

To me, and sorry to sound harsh, but it sounds like he wants his cake and eat it. He wants to live together yet go off travelling? So basically leaving you to do the daily family and house stuff while he buggers off on his holidays for god knows how long? And maybe you can get back together in a few years? To me, it sounds like he does have someone else or is planning on seeing other people and is keeping you on the back burner if none of it works out. I hope you choose you, OP.

And at the end he gets more of the value of the house than if you split now. He wants free childcare, and more money from the marriage.

Greenismyfavouritecolournow · 12/09/2026 17:38

He wants to shag around knowing his children are looked after at home and he has somewhere to come back to. Nope ! If you split you split and you buy separately. If you are mortgage free I’d do everything I could to buy somewhere smaller outright.

Greenismyfavouritecolournow · 12/09/2026 17:42

Also set yourself up on date with another man. A friend of a friend or their brother, get them to collect you at home and leave him alone with the children. See how he likes it !

Messedupmyusernameagain · 12/09/2026 17:43

Does he need a house for himself? He wants to piss about living like a single man he can rent a bedsit.

YellowScarfRupert · 12/09/2026 17:43

Are happy to continue living with him? Will you you get to swan round the world whilst he has his kids?
It’s not a thing I’d be happy to do no matter what ages the kids are. You deserve better than this.
We all deserve better than this

Bogliasco · 12/09/2026 17:47

But what do you want @PrincessCalley? You've talked about what your husband wants and what the kids need but what do you want?

HappySonHappyMum · 12/09/2026 17:47

PrincessCalley · 12/09/2026 16:35

Okay so I've read all your messages. Firstly we'd need almost 900k because anything new or almost new is around 375k(for a house that needs work) or up to 450k for a new 3/4bed semi d. I live in ROI and id be moving to my local town which is a commuter town for Dublin so house prices are crazy. Honestly id be happy to move. Our house is almost 3000square foot with gardens etc so its a lot of work for one person. Ive been managing it all for a while as he has checked out the last year and I've just had enough. So would be happy to move. But I have asked what happens when the kids move out (go to college etc) this is where the 2 houses come in. I wont move again when it would become just the 2 of us in the house.

In relation to him travelling, I know itll never happen. He wont give up his job so not sure how he could. Also in relation to finances I okay that way. Ive a good job but would have to cut back if I ended up living on my own but should be fine. I've my own pension (both public and private) and we dont share savings etc. Ive no access to his accounts though.

We have to apply for retention for the house due to changing the roof when we built originally. So moving would be at least one year away. No panic.

I dont cook/clean/iron for him. He does that himself and I am just looking after myself and the kids. Im also going in peri menopause so am struggling to keep on top of everything. But ill keep going. Ive no choice. The kids need me.

Why are you talking about 'We'? He's not considered you in any of his plans. You are not a pair anymore - he is only considering himself. You sound like you're willing to go along with this nonsense. You say you'll 'keep going. I've no choice. The kids need me'? You do have a choice - right now. You get to choose what is best for you and your children. You get to model what a good relationship looks like for your children. What would you say to your daughter if in 25 years time her husband suggested this. I bet you wouldn't suggest she puts up with it!

Poodleville · 12/09/2026 17:51

I am reminded by that song by the Beautiful South "Had a little time..."

Sounds like he wants to have his cake and eat it. To be cut loose from family responsibility without losing you or the perks of family long term.

I think the first post nailed it. Time to focus on what you want.

DeliciousCreamTea · 12/09/2026 17:54

I'd forget trying to get your head around the logistics of two houses or whatever.

Sorry but he's told you he wants to be out of your marriage.
He's trying to make it more palatable by coming up with weird and wonderful plans of a half-in and half-out marriage.

It's bonkers, frankly.

It's harsh I know but you need to work on your self-worth and self-respect.
When a man behaves like this, you should be furious. Not trying to work out the logistics of his desire for a cake and eat it life.

He's a fantasist.
Don't even think of enabling his dreams.

If he wants to be on his own, fine, divorce him.

CinnamonBuns67 · 12/09/2026 17:55

Honestly tell him fuck off. He doesn't get to have you as live in nanny/housekeeper/bill payer whilst he dicks about doing whatever he likes. Divorce, sell the house and live separately, he can't have it both ways.

OldScribbler · 12/09/2026 17:56

Hope for the best but plan for the worst, makes sense to me. Though I rarely followed and paid the price more than once.

LouLou198 · 12/09/2026 17:58

He’s keeping his options open.
you deserve better op. Get yourself a solicitor and leave him to it. I’m so sorry this is happening to you , but I promise it will get a lot better.

Madamefroufrou · 12/09/2026 17:58

newusername4321 · 12/09/2026 13:45

Would it be an option he goes traveling to China or wherever he wants for a few months on his own now, and you consider the future after that. If it’s just a mid life crisis, maybe just having the freedom to do this despite being married with kids might help? Personally I also believe that being married shouldn’t tie anyone in such a way that even extended travels are out of the question, as long as childcare arrangements are agreed on.

good lord

stop with the advice will you !?!

MaryMayMiss · 12/09/2026 17:59

It sounds like he doesnt want a divorce, he wants to be 24 again and yout to wait around for him untill he decides to be a grown up again. I wouldnt be entertaining any of this. Get a lawyer.

Hayley1256 · 12/09/2026 18:00

Don't go with this idea OP it won't end well. Go through a divorce and split all the assets for a clean break. Make it clear that is what will happen.

BeKindButBeFierce · 12/09/2026 18:00

Advice is what you ask for when you already know the answer, but wish you didn’t.

Sell the house, buy a little house with your share, you’re young enough to get a mortgage for any shortfall. It’s not ideal, it won’t be easy. It’s not nice. Quite frankly it’s not fair. But it’s the only option.

BountifulPantry · 12/09/2026 18:02

He wants to burn through money now so there’s less to split when you divorce.

Go and get some legal advice but I’d be cutting ties with this man before he spends all your savings on a trip to South America. For him only…

DrumsPleaseFab · 12/09/2026 18:07

Behave as if you trust him and are calm

but please please please do not be a fool. He wants to be free and 20 again and hang with them and shag at least one of them

he also would like you to continue being nice wife and mother and running the home and re family

he wants all the perks of being married without the responsibilities

so

time to think about what you want and need.

in your shoes I would agree to the divorce and make sure as hell you get your fair share. Sell the house, get a new smaller one for you and the kids.

But please be careful not to trust him. He is already sleeping with someone or planning to

sorry he has turned out to be pathetic. Be strong and fight for your rights, you are young enough to build a fabulous life without him

pearlsclutchedhard · 12/09/2026 18:12

As hard as it may be moving out absolutely do not live with this man if he wants to separate. He’s clearly looking to see if the ‘grass is greener’ plus he gets to keep tabs on you and your life if you’re living together. If he doesn’t want you, he can get fucked! You’re still young. Also no in my book it’s not normal for 40 year olds to have snap chat unless they use it as a means contact their child. The 24 year old being on Snapchat? Likely.

what a dick. He’s fucking his life up, for what?

Livelovebehappy · 12/09/2026 18:14

Sounds like if he gets what he wants, he will be living the dream. All on his terms. Don’t be pushed into something you don’t want. Think about what would work for you, and then discuss with him. Sounds like he’s trying to control the situation. Don’t let him.

Smellmyfart · 12/09/2026 18:22

He wants a live in nanny, maid, cook etc whilst living the single life... oh how idyllic for him..

Not one fuck was given for those left behind.

Please do not agree to this.

Dontbesonosy · 12/09/2026 18:23

Definitely cake eating.
My dsis and her dh are separated and living in their own houses - they got a financial separation which means they live independently, but neither of them wants an actual divorce.
So it’s possible, but OP start getting your affairs in order before your husband takes the piss any more.

Wishbone436 · 12/09/2026 18:24

He wants the best of both worlds! He sounds crazy. He committed to a marriage & family, but now wants to check out of that .. but keep the benefits of coming home to the family, while being able to go off and do his own thing. Then once he’s done all that, just come back to you & pick up where he left off. And you are supposed to … wait? Be the housewife & parent & wait until he’s ready 🤯🤯
you are worth far more than sitting around waiting to be enough for someone again!

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