Wonderful article.
No blame, no gender politics ( same can't be said of some of the posters), just a mature and compassionate acceptance of harsh realities and the strength to face them and so find a better way through.
Your kids have two great role models to emulate and that is the most powerful parenting of all.

She told me we couldn't afford beer anymore and I'd have to quit.

Then I caught her spending 65 bucks on make-up.

I asked how come I had to give stuff up but she didn't.

She said she need the make-up to look pretty for me.

I told her that was what the beer was for.

I don't think she's coming back.

Touche Rainier!

David, I admire and respect all you have done and are doing. My husband and I "broke up" our marriage 12 months ago and had exactly the same arrangement as you and Jan. We did our own thing, with our own friends but never without the "permission" of the other. We have only one child, however, it was very important for him not to become a statistic in the world of broken homes. Noél stayed in the family home - in the spare bedroom - and our boy, Elijiah realised what we were doing was to keep the family unit together, although we had our own lives to live as well. Things were going well, however, we made a decision to "try again" as I'm sure many "break-ups" consider. Sadly, things are not looking too great with the reconciliation, so we may be heading back to the original arrangement. Who knows?