Couple And Their 5 Kids Live Their Life “Unblended” In Two Separate Suites In The Same House
A woman has inspired a conversation about unconventional families after revealing that she and her partner live in separate suites of the same house with their respective children.
Shelley Hunt, 38, and her two kids share a home with her partner, Peter Verge, and his three children. But while you could say they live together, you could also make a case that they’re not. Shelley and her sprouts are staying in one suite, while Peter and his are in the other.
Earlier this month, Shelley shared her family’s living arrangement on TikTok, and it quickly went viral, gaining over 5 million views. In the video, the woman explains the reasoning behind moving into a home with two suites, and how the whole “blended-unblended” situation is working out for them.
More info: TikTok
Meet Shelley Hunt, a mom-of-two who shares a home with her partner and his three kids
Image credits: shellhuntful
Recently, Shelley released a TikTok to explain their unconventional living arrangement
Image credits: shellhuntful
Image credits: shellhuntful
Shelley explained to BuzzFeed that she and Peter came into this arrangement while they were newly dating and both were planning to buy a home. “I had been through a house fire and a divorce and many subsequent moves/transitions, and I was hoping to settle with my kids long-term,” she said.
“We were very new in our relationship, so living together with five kids didn’t seem wise, for us or them.”
Image credits: shellhuntful
In one of her TikToks, Shelley said that two-suite homes are much more common in Canada, where she and Peter live.
“When I found this place, I couldn’t believe how ideal it was for two families. We could be close by but have our own family units. We looked at the house once and put in an offer. It resulted in us both spending less money on a home than if we’d bought separately.”
Image credits: www.tiktok.com
Image credits: shellhuntful
The video has been viewed over 5 million times
@shellhuntful#WouldYou or #DoYou live like this? #LAT #LivingApart #Unblended #Family #Opinion #WhatDoYouThink #BadMomsOfTikTok #WhatDoYouThink #FYP #StitchThis #ShowMeYours #ShoppersWishlist #SephoraGiftList♬ Home – Edith Whiskers
Both suites have their own kitchen and living room. Shelley’s has two bedrooms and one bathroom, while Peter’s has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The only shared spaces are the hallway and laundry room.
Each suite also has its own separate entrance. Shelley said that she and Peter are completely separate when spending time with their kids, unless they plan something together like a game night or dinner.
Shelley’s entrance
Image credits: shellhuntful
Peter’s entrance
Image credits: shellhuntful
Shelley’s bedroom
Image credits: shellhuntful
Peter’s bedroom
Image credits: shellhuntful
Shelley’s kitchen
Image credits: shellhuntful
Peter’s kitchen
Image credits: shellhuntful
Shelley’s bathroom
Image credits: shellhuntful
Peter’s bathroom
Image credits: shellhuntful
As for splitting duties and costs, Shelley said, “That’s the best part of this type of setup: We know exactly what we’re responsible for, and we handle our own shit. We are responsible for our children and suites. I make sure my kids are ready, fed breakfast, off to school, to their extracurricular activities, to all appointments, fed dinner, and ensure they have everything they need in life. Peter is the same. We clean our own spaces. We arrange childcare for our own children. Sometimes we ask each other for help, but it’s always exactly that: an ask.”
The couple have separate finances. “Peter’s suite is bigger than mine, so that’s how we’ve determined the percentage of the bills we each pay. I pay 42% of the mortgage and utilities and taxes. He pays 58%. It’s what we agreed was fair,” she explained.
Here’s a more in-depth tour of their house
@shellhuntfulOne House 2 Suites: The House Tour! #Unblended #LAT #LivingApartTogether #LivingApart #RedefiningFamily #Family #Unconventional #PepsiApplePieChallenge #HolidayYourWay #FYP #TikTokViral #OneHouseTwoSuites #HouseTour♬ Similar Sensation (Instrumental) – BLVKSHP
Shelley has no doubt that living blended-unblended has strengthened her and Peter’s relationship, as well as each of their relationships with their kids. “[Peter and I] started with a strong relationship, and this has definitely maintained the respect, love, consideration, and romance. Our communication is amazing, because again, there’s not a lot of room for unsaid expectation and disappointment!”
“I am amazed at the bond I have with [Peter’s kids] and how the kids have all embraced us. They use ‘step-sibling’ and ‘step-parent’ language, and call us a family,” Shelley added. “This was something they initiated and never something we pushed on them. I love their ability to embrace something that is untraditional and thrive in it. They don’t know how things are ‘supposed’ to be, but they do recognize happiness and health and love when they feel it.”
And a video on the couple’s future plans
@shellhuntfulThe questions we get the most… #Unblended #LAT #LivingApartTogether #LivingApart #Family #OneHouseTwoSuites #Unconventional #Whatdoyouthink #FYP #QandA #Blended♬ Can’t Help Falling in Love – Haley Reinhart
The woman thinks that the overwhelmingly positive response to her TikToks shows that people are becoming more and more open to unconventional family structures, and that’s a good thing.
“Can you imagine, for a moment, what message Mother’s Day celebrations in school send to a child in foster care? For a child who lost their mother to cancer? For a child who was raised by their grandparents? Can we stop sending the message to children that they aren’t whole because their family doesn’t look a certain way?”
“Our ideas of family have been so exclusive. Who are we if our families are untraditional? Less? Hell no. Everyone deserves a seat at the table. I absolutely love Mother’s Day, but let’s widen that door! Every kind of family counts and is worth celebrating,” she said.
People think Shelley and Peter’s way of living makes a lot of sense
164Kviews
Share on FacebookI've actually considered buying a big property with multiple suites connected by a common area -- kind of like vacation lodges -- in order to share with close friends. Everyone gets their private space, as well as the common area for hanging out together.
I had a friend in high school whose mom got remarried to a man who had no children and didn't want any. He was about 20 years older as well, though I don't know if that matters. To resolve the problem, they bought a duplex and put a door between the two. My friend and her sister (14y&12y) lived on one side and mom/step dad on the other. The girls weren't allowed to enter the other side and were to basically never let their presence be known as stepfather wanted no sign of them. Mom would either make dinner on her side and bring it to the girls, or feed him then go next door and make a totally different dinner for the girls. It was sad and ridiculous.
this sounds very toxic. But better than putting the girls in a trailer, but still terrible.
Load More Replies...Add some underpaid servants and some inbred relatives, you've discovered how nobility used to live.
Not for myself but we did this for my partner’s families. We got 3 houses next door to each other in a new build community and gave them as gifts to his siblings who all have kids. Now they get to grow up together by the beach. And leave us TF alone because we don’t really like them. We don’t live separately as a couple. It kinda feels like it though because of work!
I find it cool when people find different ways to build and sustain their family. Actually, I'd love to see other solutions people have found. Not everyone fits into the standard type of family or lifestyle. One of my bosses had a similar arrangement with his gf, although they lived in separated houses. It worked for them and they had been many years together.
I LOVE this, it'd be my dream to live like that (my partner "collects" everything and I enjoy a minimalist style)
i love this. when i was married i tried to get my ex to understand that his idea of two become one after marriage is a romantic notion as we were still individuals. i will say he did respect my ideas and i eventually had a room where i could work or sleep independently but i knew he didn't like it. then, he discovered the age of the man cave and he finally got it. everyone needs their space and for a 'blended/unblended' family i think this is a great idea
I'd love this. I really value my own space and place. This would be such a fantastic option
I love the idea of my own space while being in a relationship. I think lack of your own space and your own time puts a lot of pressure on a couple. Everybody needs to be alone sometimes just to relax completely, to do what they like, do crafting, read undisturbed, watch your favourite TV shows and just unwind on your own. Also, I would love to organise my own space the way I want it, decorate my own bedroom etc. Me and my partner live in a 2 bedroom flat and share a craftroom which is not ideal if we both want to work at the same time. Sooo, congrats for them that they can afford this kind of freedom while being together.
Doing this would drive my blood pressure back to a healthy level. Nice!
You do you? But why the need to give us a tour of you and your kid's private abode? People understand what is meant by a side by side.
For me it's a bit weird, especially separating the children, but if it works for them then it's great! Me personally i would really like one room just to myself - crafty room. But other rooms like bathroom, bedroom and kitchen would have to be together, family spaces. ofc if my partner would want his personal room it would be all reasonable too, everyone needs some solitude sometimes
So, are we supposed to praise this woman for being rich and can afford a huge house? Sorry. Nope.
That’s not a huge house and she’s nowhere near rich. Poverty doesn’t mean you have to be a bitter hater. Keep that up and you’ll be poor for life. I’ve been poorer than most of you could live through, and I never acted like that. Don’t be a shïtbag.
Load More Replies...Severely blandness. I'm sorry about it. In all honesty, I showed this to my mother who was looking into home styles. First thing she says it's too simple, like modernized family. I agree with her. There's no color atmosphere.
No you won’t. You’ll dream about your own dîck being bigger than it is like some weird autosexual, while pretending a woman would ever be attracted to you.
Load More Replies...I've actually considered buying a big property with multiple suites connected by a common area -- kind of like vacation lodges -- in order to share with close friends. Everyone gets their private space, as well as the common area for hanging out together.
I had a friend in high school whose mom got remarried to a man who had no children and didn't want any. He was about 20 years older as well, though I don't know if that matters. To resolve the problem, they bought a duplex and put a door between the two. My friend and her sister (14y&12y) lived on one side and mom/step dad on the other. The girls weren't allowed to enter the other side and were to basically never let their presence be known as stepfather wanted no sign of them. Mom would either make dinner on her side and bring it to the girls, or feed him then go next door and make a totally different dinner for the girls. It was sad and ridiculous.
this sounds very toxic. But better than putting the girls in a trailer, but still terrible.
Load More Replies...Add some underpaid servants and some inbred relatives, you've discovered how nobility used to live.
Not for myself but we did this for my partner’s families. We got 3 houses next door to each other in a new build community and gave them as gifts to his siblings who all have kids. Now they get to grow up together by the beach. And leave us TF alone because we don’t really like them. We don’t live separately as a couple. It kinda feels like it though because of work!
I find it cool when people find different ways to build and sustain their family. Actually, I'd love to see other solutions people have found. Not everyone fits into the standard type of family or lifestyle. One of my bosses had a similar arrangement with his gf, although they lived in separated houses. It worked for them and they had been many years together.
I LOVE this, it'd be my dream to live like that (my partner "collects" everything and I enjoy a minimalist style)
i love this. when i was married i tried to get my ex to understand that his idea of two become one after marriage is a romantic notion as we were still individuals. i will say he did respect my ideas and i eventually had a room where i could work or sleep independently but i knew he didn't like it. then, he discovered the age of the man cave and he finally got it. everyone needs their space and for a 'blended/unblended' family i think this is a great idea
I'd love this. I really value my own space and place. This would be such a fantastic option
I love the idea of my own space while being in a relationship. I think lack of your own space and your own time puts a lot of pressure on a couple. Everybody needs to be alone sometimes just to relax completely, to do what they like, do crafting, read undisturbed, watch your favourite TV shows and just unwind on your own. Also, I would love to organise my own space the way I want it, decorate my own bedroom etc. Me and my partner live in a 2 bedroom flat and share a craftroom which is not ideal if we both want to work at the same time. Sooo, congrats for them that they can afford this kind of freedom while being together.
Doing this would drive my blood pressure back to a healthy level. Nice!
You do you? But why the need to give us a tour of you and your kid's private abode? People understand what is meant by a side by side.
For me it's a bit weird, especially separating the children, but if it works for them then it's great! Me personally i would really like one room just to myself - crafty room. But other rooms like bathroom, bedroom and kitchen would have to be together, family spaces. ofc if my partner would want his personal room it would be all reasonable too, everyone needs some solitude sometimes
So, are we supposed to praise this woman for being rich and can afford a huge house? Sorry. Nope.
That’s not a huge house and she’s nowhere near rich. Poverty doesn’t mean you have to be a bitter hater. Keep that up and you’ll be poor for life. I’ve been poorer than most of you could live through, and I never acted like that. Don’t be a shïtbag.
Load More Replies...Severely blandness. I'm sorry about it. In all honesty, I showed this to my mother who was looking into home styles. First thing she says it's too simple, like modernized family. I agree with her. There's no color atmosphere.
No you won’t. You’ll dream about your own dîck being bigger than it is like some weird autosexual, while pretending a woman would ever be attracted to you.
Load More Replies...
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