I've heard about families who live apart. ie. man and women married but due to responsibilities to kids elect to live apart with their respective children and stay over with each a couple of times per week.
they both have their own homes etc etc etc
Just struck me this can make a lot of sense in terms of making blended families work - emotionally I'm not sure - and i guess my question is - how does this work legally within the definition of "marraige"?
Of course you can be married, enjoy the benefits that marriage brings but live in separate house. Living separably doesn't mean the marriage is any less valid.
The singer, Toyah and her (now ex) husband, Robert Fripp lived separately for most of their long marriage - they claimed having their own space kept the marriage fresh and the time they spent together was more enjoyable for the long periods of being apart.
Making "blended" families work is hard going at times, but the key is consistency and treating all children equally - and each parent being able to spend some time with their own children alone. Its also about finding what works for the family as a whole - each family is unique, so if living in separate houses works for that family, then why not?