Lifestyle
Single Moms Moved in Together To Raise Their Kids As A Platonic Unit and Found Happiness
“I don’t have a boyfriend, I have Lauren.”
Two New Zealand moms have been an inspiration for fellow single parents when it comes to finding help in raising a child on their own. While there are sites for exactly this purpose, Samantha and Lauren are those who came to find relief in a real-life friend.
Lauren Robinson, 26, and Samantha Best, 24, from New Zealand, are new moms and first met back in 2018 through Instagram.
They’d never thought that years later, their life would change as they find help in each other as friends. It started with Samantha who split up from her partner after raising their 5-year-old son Kaelin for 5 years. She decided to move out from their home in New Plymouth, New Zealand, to Auckland while looking for a new job.
Samantha was new to the city and recalled how she felt nervous about her new life, “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.”
Samantha decided to hit up her friend, Lauren, who was already raising her daughter Haidyn on her own.
Lauren then suggested that she moved in with her so they can split the cost and have each other’s back. The arrangement sounded too good to pass up and since she agreed without hesitation, she’s never regretted her decision.
She shared, “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.”
They separate their household chores and even made a joint account to pay to split the cost of groceries and rent. They also help take care of each other’s children.
Thankfully they have similar parenting styles and from experience, they had felt each other’s help such as when Lauren’s daughter wouldn’t listen to her mom, but let Samantha talk to her. They’ve also become closer and treat each other as a family.
Samantha, who shares her journey on TikTok, spoke, “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.”
The arrangement would only stop once someone found a partner, but so far, things have been going perfectly for them.
