Loneliness is one of the most difficult aspects of being a single mother. At the end of the day, you don’t have anyone to talk to about your child, not to mention all the other expenses. It’s absurd to think that you won’t be able to buy a house or even pay rent on one salary. To make things easier, four single mothers got creative. They purchased a house together, a four-unit structure, where they are raising their children and supporting one another in the finest of all possible worlds. They also have a craft studio.
Holly Harper told TODAY that she and her spouse of 17 years split in 2018 and that when she began looking for a house of her own in Washington, D.C., she discovered that the real estate market was challenging for a single parent who was self-employed. So she contacted her friend and fellow single mom, Herrin Hopper, to see if she was interested in purchasing a home with her. They recruited two more friends, located a four-unit property in Maryland, and moved in with their children, who ranged in age from 9 to 14.
Harper had said in an INSIDER column in January that she had always liked shows like Grace and Frankie, The Facts of Life, and of course, The Golden Girls, where women lived together.
When it came to making decisions, Harper and her friends were pragmatic. “We also had to agree on the style of house we needed,” she explained to INSIDER. “We sought a multifamily property that would enable two flats of equal size, with neither of us sleeping in a basement. “We also wanted to live close to public transportation and in a safe neighborhood for our children to play.”
In August 2020, they moved into their house in Tacoma Park, Maryland, which they dubbed “Siren House” in honor of myths about mermaids attracting fishermen with their siren song. “We each have our own independent quarters that are totally functional on their own, and we can all lock the doors,” one of the single mothers staying in the house, Leandra Nichola, told FOX 5.
They’ve learned to rely on one another in a variety of ways since then. “Every day here is almost like a spiritual safety net,” Hopper told TODAY Parents. “I can be my worst or greatest self, and they see me for who I am, and that’s OK.”
Of course, problems arise, such as children misplacing their stuff. However, the advantages appear to exceed the drawbacks. They frequently have their monthly meetings concerning household maintenance over a bottle of champagne. “From car-sharing and carpooling; potlucks and little favors; built-in childcare and dog-walking; sharing expenditures; having pals to ugly cry with and infinite, on-demand embraces; and feeling protected, cherished, and anchored in the family—I’ve never been happier,” Hopper said in her post.
Hopefully, this seductive song will catch on with single parents in need of a house. And I’m in need of a friend.