CNN: COMMON GROUND DURING UNCOMMON ECONOMIC TIMES

The financial crisis may cause strife in marital relationships as times get tough, but for one divorced couple, it brought them together. Struggling to make ends meet, trying to dig themselves out of debt, Nicole Thompson-Arce and her new husband have moved in with her ex-husband.  She and her ex-husband had had a messy divorce involving a custody dispute. But once they ironed out that battle, agreeing to joint custody, Thompson-Arce said they were able to move on and forward.  Finances remained shaky and digging themselves out of debt seemed insurmountable for Thompson-Arce and her new husband, so her ex offered to have the couple move into his 3-bedroom house with him and the two daughters from the first marriage. 

Besides the economic savings, the benefits are many.  No longer do they have to shuttle Victoria, 7, and Caitlyn, 6, between two households. As a team, they can parent and be on the same page. Finding a baby sitter is never a problem. They take turns making meals, which they all share.    

Click here to see Mrs. Thompson-Arce’s iReport on CNN. 

Question to the Blogosphere:  Do you know of other incidences in which the economic crisis has brought families and friends together?  Do you think it is rare that a divorced couple can get along enough to raise their kids in under the same roof?  Common ground is often hard to find because conflicts tend to hurt people personally and therefore they do not want to look for common ground.  How much does this statement translate to international disputes?