I was listening to NPR the other day on the topic of the economy and its affect on families. The broadcaster reported that more and more families are finding themselves separated due to the need for one parent/spouse to commute to other states for work. It further went on to report on how many married couples are living separately, even part of the time, due to their employment situations. The term that grabbed my attention most during this report was that of “reluctant bachelors”.

Of course, the concept was not lost on me. Military families know all too well the possibility of geographic bachelor situations. The likelihood always seems to exist. In fact, a great number of military families have become accustomed to living this way. Still, generally speaking, it is not something many of our civilian counterparts would expect to happen to them. No one dreams of getting married and then living apart from their spouse. Usually, that is not in a couple’s plan. Further, people typically do not tend to buy houses expecting that only part of their family will live there while one parent lives in another state because of a change in work circumstances. Though, this very thing is happening more frequently across our country. People have to go where the jobs are, in order to support their families and many cases to keep a roof over their heads.

In the past, when faced with the question as to why my husband and I would ever consider geo bachelor living, I explained that while it is not desirable, some situations require sacrifice. I, just like you, know couples and families currently living this way. We just do what you have to, and we want to do what is right for your family. To be honest, the concept does not appeal to me, and it is not something I have personally experienced yet. Still, I cannot say it will never happen. All I can do is prepare for the possibility, and communicate with my husband and my family, in a way that will make it work for us (and, of course, cross my fingers and toes that it will not have to be a reality in our house anytime soon.)