Single parents The first big benefit for single parents who share housing is that either they have more money for food, clothing, transportation, and other things and/or they get to live in a larger, better space than they could afford on their own.
The second benefit is that the children can play together. This of course depends on the ages and genders of the youngsters, but even children of different ages, when thrown together, figure out how to do stuff. (That is, if they are not addicted to television and video games, but that’s a different issue.) The nice part for the parent is that when children are occupied with each other, they are not seeking parental attention. In one shared housing arrangement, the two adults each have part-time custody of their children. The children enjoy being together so much, and each parent finds it so much easier when both children are there, that the parents are seeking to synchronize their custody arrangements.
The third benefit is that the parent has another adult at home. Depending on the housemate relationship, she may have another person to talk to about her adult life. She can have someone to exchange babysitting so that she can go out while the adult is home and then reciprocate the favor. For quick errands she can leave the child at home with the other adult rather than have to disrupt the child to accompany her. The other adult is there.
Choosing to share housing with another parent is a great idea.
All the guidelines for selecting a good housemates apply. Interview carefully, know what you can live with and what you can’t, and check references.
{ 0 comments… add one now }