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When your marriage is not working, but you are not yet ready to walk away from it, a separation can provide both of you with a hiatus where you can decide on the direction you want your marriage to take. <\/span><\/p>\n Marriage separation is not about staying in a holding pattern; it is about taking small steps to get more clarity and valuable information. <\/span><\/p>\n What should you do during separation?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Before making any final decisions of going through a separation, it is best to live apart for 60-90 days. <\/span><\/p>\n If, during your trial separation, it is impossible to live in separate houses, establish some ground rules so that there is some emotional separation while living under the same roof. <\/span><\/p>\n During this period, do not discuss the status of your marriage, rather keep an open mind.<\/span><\/p>\n Think about your visceral and immediate reaction to your marriage separation. This will provide tremendous insight into your emotional state. <\/strong><\/p>\n After living apart for a few weeks, ask yourself if you miss one another, or are you content? <\/span><\/p>\n Living apart can provide a clear perspective that allows you to understand your relationship’s dynamics without all the anger and emotion. <\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, marriage separation allows you to find a different way to stay together or find a stronger version of yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n The practical side of a separation<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Marriage separation is never easy. It does not matter whose decision it is to separate; you are likely to feel a rollercoaster of emotions. It is common to feel numbness or a sense of shock even though you can see that separation is imminent. <\/span><\/p>\n You might feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the decision that you need to make an anxious due to the uncertainty of the future. You might be feeling sad and angry if you did not want the relationship to end.<\/span><\/p>\n On top of coming to terms with these issues, there are several practical issues that will require your immediate attention. You might need to deal with:<\/span><\/p>\n When dealing with separation, how the separation is going to affect the children is the most important issue. You will need to decide how both of you will divide your time and support among the children.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n According to a <\/span>study on Parental divorce<\/span><\/a> or separation and children’s <\/span>mental health<\/span><\/a>, published in the journal of The World Psychiatric Association, separation and divorce could affect a child’s development in many ways including decreased social & psychological maturation, a change in the outlook on sexual behavior and so on.<\/span><\/p>\n Even in case of a temporary separation, you will also need to discuss child care, access arrangements, Christmas and birthday arrangements, seeing in-laws, and telling the school. <\/span><\/p>\n You both will have to decide what to say to the kids and how to prepare then emotionally.<\/span><\/p>\n When you are in a separated relationship, you will need to decide on the living arrangements. Will one of you stay in the house that you were living in, or will both of you move? Where will the pets live?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span> 1. Children<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/How-the-separation-is-going-to-affect-the-children.jpg\" "\\"How")
<\/p>\n<\/span>2. Property<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
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