A longstanding joke amongst mom friends Holly Harper and Herrin Hopper is that they should purchase a house in Vermont, move in together, and create a “mom commune.” They could then invite their husbands to join them there on a regular basis.
However, when they both got divorced and were hit with the high expenses of living in Washington, D.C. in addition to the epidemic, the concept didn’t appear to be such a stretch anymore.
“Holly and I both chimed in, asking, “Why not do this?” The memory came to Harper. They were able to find a four-unit house within a weekend, and they decided to call it the “Siren House” after the legendary animals that are said to dwell in the ocean’s depths.
The two single moms met two other single women, Jen and Leandra, and together they purchased a home, moved in together, shared everything, and jointly raised their children.
Even though they are not living together as part of a commune or an extended family, everyone involved has profited from the arrangement.
Since they began living together in a shared dwelling, Harper has had an eye-opening epiphany: “You can do anything you want. Burn the guidebook to living and try to look at things from a fresh perspective.”
The co-housing arrangement has made it possible for the families to reduce their monthly expenses and even increase their standard of living.
The ladies in this group share everything from food and automobiles to the responsibilities of babysitting and even hugs and walks with their dogs. Harper claims that she is able to cut her annual housing costs by $30,000.
The youngsters, who range in age from 9 to 14, have formed relationships similar to that of cousins with one another and have become friends. They like calling a Siren House home due to the fact that it is a veritable playground for children.
And as for the mothers who are raising their children alone, co-living has opened up other avenues of independence for them.
They are able to leave the house without undue concern because they are aware that other people in the family are able to care after their children in the event that they are need to leave the house.