Single Mom Besties Moved in Together to Raise Their Children as a Platonic Unit and Found Happiness
According to statistics, in 2018, there were 15 million children in the US alone living with only their mothers. Not surprisingly, more and more single moms have lately been teaming up. There’s even a special website, where they can find someone with whom they can share difficult financial and parenting issues. But not everyone uses websites; sometimes even an old friend can become a new partner. The story of 2 girls from New Zealand confirms this.
Lauren Robinson and Samantha Best
Samantha and Lauren met through Instagram in 2018 and began their friendship. But the girls had no idea that after three years, their relationship would reach a whole new level.
Samantha with her son, Kaelin
It all started in April 2021, when Samantha split up with her partner with whom she had lived and raised their son Kaelin for 5 years in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Being a newly single mother of a small child, Best decided to move to Auckland in search of work.
But Samantha knew that life in the new city would not be easy. “It was hard for me and Kaelin to live on our own and live comfortably. Auckland is very expensive, and I was quite lonely and scared,” she recalls.
Lauren with her daughter, Haidyn
That’s when Samantha messaged her friend Lauren Robinson, who was also single-handedly raising her young daughter, Haidyn. Lauren suggested to Samantha that they should move in together, so they could live as a family and not have to spend a lot of money on food and rent.
Best immediately agreed and hasn’t regretted her decision one bit: “It’s so much easier living with Lauren. We’ve been able to split our finances and we are able to help each other with childcare if one of us is busy the other can pick them both up from school, or if either of us needs to go out the other can watch the two children.”
The girls share household chores and even set up a joint bank account to make it easier to pay for groceries and rent. And, of course, they help each other raise their children.
Samantha, 24, and Lauren, 26, have learned from experience that it’s easier to raise kids together, especially if you have similar parenting styles. According to Lauren, there are times in their family when her daughter is naughty and won’t listen to her mother, but Samantha is able to get through to her.
Their children quickly became friends, though sometimes they quarrel as a real brother and sister do.
After moving in together, Samantha and Lauren’s friendship has become incredibly strong, and they are now a true family. “I don’t have a boyfriend, I have Lauren. Supports me through every crazy life decision. Makes me feel so incredibly loved and wanted. Treats my son like her own,” Samantha shared on her TikTok.
But, of course, the single moms realize that if one of them finds a permanent partner, the other will move out and live in the neighborhood.
What do you think of the idea of living with your friend and raising your children together?