When dealing with the emotional complications of divorce, it is common for people to want to get as far away from their ex as possible. It seems natural to want a little space while recovering from the end of a relationship. However, that first impulse may not be the best way to handle relocating during a divorce.
Instead, staying in the same general neighborhood may offer benefits, especially if you share children. Securing a new residence very close to the family home is a new trend for divorcing co-parents to consider. This practice, called a soft landing, could potentially make co-parenting easier for everyone in your family.
Both parents in close proximity help ensure adequate child care
When one parent moves far away from the family, that can make a shared custody arrangement very difficult. Needing to spend a half an hour or more on the road each way is frustrating for the parents, as well as the children. More importantly, when sudden issues arise, that extra distance can make it harder for co-parents to support one another and be there for the kids.
When parents live close to the children, they can both be available to provide support when something unusual happens. Whether it's a fight in school or a sudden illness, a soft landing living arrangement ensures that the child will have the support of both parents available in the comfort of their home neighborhood. If one parent has an issue that requires changes to who cares for the kids on any given day, the close proximity of the other parent makes facilitating that kind of change much easier.
Soft landings also help preserve community and social ties
One of the hardest things about moving is getting to know a new neighborhood. There are traffic considerations, local businesses to learn about and the people you have to meet. Staying in the same general neighborhood means that you have all of the amenities and infrastructure you've been used to for years.
It also means that your children can stay in the same school district, regardless of which parent they spend more time with. Staying nearby makes it easier for the parents to rely on their social network of friends and colleagues. After all, if either parent moves far away, they will not have access to the same support network that they would in the family's original neighborhood.
While living close to your ex may not seem like the best situation, it can be beneficial for the whole family in a divorce. Unless there were issues with abuse, harassment or stalking, most spouses can handle living somewhat close to each other after a divorce. You may want to talk this over with your ex to determine if a soft landing could make your divorce easier on both of you and your children.