I wonder how it would work, having separate homes. I mean, I can certainly think of the good things. I could shave my legs or bleach my mustache or awkwardly try to wax my bikini line without broadcasting it to my partner. I could buy the floral couch from Ikea. I could finally write that trashy romance novel without someone peering over my shoulder saying, “Whatcha doing?” But what about the practical aspects? Would we give the baby identical bedrooms, or would he sleep at my house all the time? We just bought a very large and expensive television. Who would get it? If I buy that floral couch and he buys the ridiculous black leather one, what do we do when this situation inevitably ends? I have a feeling they won’t work well in the same room. What about meals? Dates? Discipline? I know I happen to be insanely permissive with the baby which drives my partner batty. Would it be difficult for Jack to reconcile different rules in different households? Or would it be just the same as when Michael was little and my husband and I shared custody? My partner says he likes this idea, but he wonders if this is the first step people take when they’re ready to separate. I can understand his point, but I think it might really be the first step people take to avoid separating. Like a pre-emptive strike against divorce.