Four single moms decided to buy a house together and live together while raising their kids together in one big full house. The living arrangement is a kid's paradise. It has a giant trampoline, a parkour line, a gym, garden, big-screen TV, and a craft studio.
The women had since saved thousands of dollars per year and supported each other when needed.
A commune house idea
The idea started with friends Holly Harper and Herrin Hopper, who used to joke about creating a "mom commune: in Vermont, and they would allow their spouses to visit occasionally. When the women both got a divorce, the joke became more serious.
The woman said, "why not do this?" They then got a house within a weekend.
Soon, Hopper and Harper found two other single moms, Leandra and Jen, who also decided to move into the four-unit home.
Motherly News says that the cost of living in Washington DC and sharing carpooling duties is much more ideal if shared, and this is what these moms did. The moms said their kids now use a buddy system for a walk to get gelato and have playmates during quarantine and homeschool months.
Living with a family of four
Harper told Today that she decided to start her life from scratch after getting divorced and losing his dad. She became a single mom when she turned 40 and then realized that she needed to begin their "commune house" dream.
She turned to Herrin and said, "I have nothing left. Let's do this."
Hopper said that when she is at home, she could be her worst self, her best self, yet the moms still see her for who she is, and it is okay.
The kids are between nine and 14, and the moms said they are growing up like cousins. The moms said there is always someone to relate to, learn from, and confide in.
When asked about their thoughts regarding "traditional family" and the roles that defined them to these, the four women said, "To hell with that." They say they have the power to live however they want and live in a way that works for them and the kids.
Since the women share expenses: car, food, babysitting duties, dog-walking, the women could save around $30,000 a year.
Siren house
The family has since called the house "The Siren House." The girls say they take turns hosting potluck dinner each month, exchanging gifts each year, and having a monthly movie night, porch hangout, and backyard fire.
But everything does not come according to plan. Like any big full house, there are socks everywhere, iPads, dishes, cups, and everything else that gets misplaced.
The women have regular "homeowner's meetings" to discuss issues and concerns at home like repairs and yard work. The meetings often happen over a bottle of champagne.
Bored Panda wrote that the Siren House had inspired other moms to look into the cohabiting option, creating a community.
