Ever think how much easier it would be if you lived with a sister or a single friend with children? There seems to be a growing trend of just that, single moms living together and sharing expenses and child care. I read an article about it, they are calling them Mommunes. There is even a service that will connect single moms who are looking to share a home and responsibilities with another single mother. In this economy especially, it seems like a very good idea considering that most single mothers make around $25,000 a year. It may not work for everyone but for those the people it does work for, it’s great.
About a year after I got divorced my best friend got divorced. Suddenly we were both single moms with one child, her son is six months younger than my daughter. We decided to live together for a while and it really was a great experience. It took away a lot of the stress of being a single parent, knowing there was someone else there. Trina worked long hours as a nurse some days, and on those days she knew I was home to take care of Hailey and Jackson. I had company meetings every two weeks that ran until ten at night, it was wonderful to know that Trina had things under control. Whatever we did for our kids, we did for each other’s kids. Our kids were just that- our kids. Whichever mom was home took care of making sure homework was done, dinner was fed, rooms were clean (well, not really, both kids are messy!) We carted them from place to place, made sure their teeth were brushed and baths were taken.
When we had a date, we had a built in babysitter. We also had someone to talk to about all of our hopes and fears now that we were doing this parenting thing alone. Trina was my sounding board. I ranted and she listened, and then she did the same. When I was sure I was the worst mother in the world, she was there to talk me through it.
Our kids benefitted as well. Hailey and Jackson had been only children for over twelve years, suddenly there was someone to share with, someone to fight with and someone to talk to. The learned to do chores together and to point the finger at each other when something was wrong, a luxury they never had as only children. Best of all, they became even better friends then they were. Late at night when they were supposed to be asleep one would sneak into the others room, put a pillow over the heat vent and watch movies together. Many mornings we found them curled up on the floor with their pillows and blankets and the TV showing nothing but snow.
It’s now about four years later, Trina and I are closer than ever and our kids really do behave like siblings, they look out for each other, worry about each other and of course, pick on each other. Just like siblings.