I've not had experience of this, I'm afraid. It was part of a plan I had as in the "family" home there was an office that could have been used as an annex for either their father during the week and me to move into at the weekends.
Ex didn't see this as a good idea - and this could have been due to the privacy issues.
The "family" home had to be sold in the end anyway.
Hi pauldambra, welcome to One Space.
I am sorry to read about the break up of your relationship and that you are having to stay at different friends houses. You mention that you can't afford a place of your own, what are your plans on this front?
I read a story in the paper recently about a seperated couple who shared the family home on their contact times of the week as you suggested, but the article writer did say that they were on very good terms and the split was amicable, however your ex isn't happy with this idea, so we need to find another solution.
I agree with others when they say that perhaps overnight contact will have to wait until you do have your own place. The children will be fine just seeing you in the day time.
Have you had a look in the Your Local Support and Events to see if there is anything going on in your area?
Some dads I know go to soft play centres and cafes, not very personal but a chance for you to be with them perhaps. Or what about taking them swimming once a week, or gymtots?
I imagine you are dying to spend quality time with them and this must be so hard, but this is only interim arrangements until you have something more permanent.
Do any of your friends have a child friendly place?
Hello pauldambra
I am sorry to hear what you are having to go through. I have had this arrangement myself but only on an occasional basis but I have worked with families where this happened.There are advantages and disadvantages to it.
On one hand, as you say, the children remain in their own home and with all their own things and do not have to adjust to another environment.It could be said that this would be putting the children first.
On the other hand they are quite small and therefore it might be difficult for them to understand what is going on; they could more easily understand the "mummy's house/daddy's house" concept. The other point I would make is that if your daughters' mum still lives in the house most of the time, this might feel like an invasion of her territory and therefore she may fight against it, even though you may feel annoyed that she is territorial when you say that it was her infidelity that caused the split.
You say it would be short-term. How short-term? If only for a couple of months then maybe you will have to forgo overnight contact or look at the economic situation in terms of travelling to relatives/staying in a Travelodge family room together (I have seen a few families do that) You could also consider using your local Child Contact Centre as somewhere to go with the girls during the day. You can refer yourself but sometimes only for a three month period. See http://www.naccc.org.uk/ for your local one.
I am sure others will be along with contributions soon