When Jayla and Calvin decided their marriage was no longer working, it wasn’t a dramatic scene of slamming doors or custody battles over the TV remote. Instead, it was a quiet realization that they’d grown apart. With two kids, a mortgage, and not nearly enough in the bank to fund a swift exit, they decided on something radical: they would stay married—temporarily—while planning their divorce as a joint venture.
Think of it as co-parenting for adults, except instead of raising children together, you’re raising the phoenix of your future from the ashes of your marriage. Here’s how they did it—and how you can, too.
Drama-Free Divorce
Jayla and Calvin sat down, not over wine and candlelight, but over coffee and the glow of a Google spreadsheet. They laid out their intentions:
- They both wanted a peaceful end to their marriage.
- They agreed to prioritize the kids’ stability.
- Neither wanted to go broke or become that ex.
Size up the” Sych” (Situation)
- Jayla and Calvin reviewed their finances, house logistics, and emotional bandwidth. Turns out, divorce is expensive (who knew?), and their kids needed a stable home and routine. So, they decided to map out a two-year timeline to save money and ease into separate lives.
Divide and Conquer (Responsibly)
While still cohabitating, Jayla and Calvin began dividing tasks:
- Calvin took on extra freelance work to save for legal fees.
- Jayla updated her resume and started networking for a new job.
- They worked together to budget for the divorce, including therapy for themselves and the kids.
Practice Flying Solo
- To ease the transition, Calvin started spending weekends with his brother, while Jayla took solo trips to visit friends. These mini-breaks gave them practice in living apart and figuring out what life post-marriage would feel like.
Focus on the Kids
Jayla and Calvin agreed to keep their kids’ lives as stable as possible. They started gently introducing the idea of “mom and dad living in two houses someday” without rushing the conversation. They formed and modeled a united front when discussing future plans, and didn’t vent about each other in front of the kids. (Note: They kept the messy stuff for their therapist.)
Strengthen Support Network
- Jayla and Calvin leaned on their friends, family, and a trusted therapist to navigate the emotional and logistical challenges. They realized they couldn’t do this alone—and that’s okay.
When their planned divorce date finally arrived, Jayla and Calvin were ready. They’d saved money, laid a solid co-parenting foundation, and kept their sanity (mostly). Was it perfect? No. But it worked.
For Splitsters in similar situations, the road ahead might feel daunting. But by treating your divorce as a long-term project and working with—not against—your partner, you can come out the other side stronger, more stable, and ready for your next adventure.
