Since time immemorial, we have witnessed mothers play multiple roles and seen them juggling various responsibilities while still committed to their core: motherhood. While the arrangement of partnering and raising children isn’t novel, have you heard of the concept of mommunes?
Mommunes is a play on the words mother and community. It exists as a safe place for single mothers living under the same roof and helping one another raise children, despite not being romantically involved, thereby supporting each other from financial, physical and emotional strains. In Latino cultures, there is a similar concept called co-mother, where a person supports you and helps you raise your children.
You may have literally lived at your best friend’s house, shared hostel rooms or apartments in a new city with them. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to raise your children alongside your single best friend and her children? This concept has been tested by Kristin Batykefer and Tessa Gilder, who went viral on the internet for sharing their experiences of living in a mommune. However, a mommune may not be a new idea, as such communities have been around for decades.
Perks of living under mommune households –
Co-habitation
Single mothers live with other mothers, co-habitating and raising their children. The children learning to live with others their age or older, and both parent and children benefit from the meaningful friendships created within a mommune.
Flexibility
Mommunes offer flexibility that may otherwise not be available to single parents. Need to be in two places at the same time? Won’t be home when the child is dropped off from school? A mommune can help with all this and more.
Sharing financial burden
The cost of living is high and as a single parent, it may pinch you more. Mommune helps you lower your financial burdens as the expenses get split. Single mothers pool their time, effort and money in the maintenance of their households and the raising of their children.
Emotional support
While you may not be romantically involved, in mommunes, you surely have other mothers’ shoulders to lean on. All the single parents can collectively share, celebrate and problem-solve. Mommunes exist to support one another and foster a sense of community.
While this concept has been gaining momentum in the west, there may be similar arrangements existent in India as well, without having been named so. For instance, the presence of mothers, mothers-in-law, caretakers/nannies who help the single mothers co-parent their children during their absence is testament to this.