I’m past the roommate stage in life. Well, I thought I was. But I wasn’t.
Recently I moved in with another single mom. We were both in the same position looking for apartments and needing to downsize. Bills are expensive! But we couldn’t quite wrap our minds around apartment living again – we are both strong independent women and love our own space.
But we needed our bills to be half as much, I needed a better neighborhood for my son, and she needed help saving up money. A turn of fate, a roommate match made in heaven. Mom-mates. It’s like the perks of married life without the…you know…the late night back rubs.
I take the trash out; she does the dishes. I keep the toilet paper stocked; she keeps the paper towels coming in. She’ll hold the ladder while I put new light bulbs in; I’ll move her clothes to the dryer when she’s gone to work. It’s a perfect balance. But that’s just tiny examples of how it’s been.
Let me give you my top 4 of why I love having a mom-mate.
4. The neighborhood that we’re in is better than my previous one. It’s kid-friendly. We can open the door, let the boys play, and then call them back home when it’s time for dinner. We’ll crack open a cold one and sit on the front porch, watching them play with the neighbors across the street.
3. I’ve got built-in babysitting, but really, if I need to run to the store alone – I can trust her. And she can do the same.
2. One night I was exhausted, and she could tell that I was. Without even asking she cooked dinner not only for her son but mine also. I didn’t need to clean up, she did that too.
- We split bills right down the middle. Rent, utilities, Netflix – this was the ultimate winning point. Not only does it help her save money, but it also helps me get back on my feet and replenish my savings.
Now, there are a few things you should be aware of if you’re looking for a mom-mate. Get to know the person first, build a friendship. Keep communication wide open and make sure expectations are said upfront. It’s an adjustment from living alone to having a roommate again, but it’s been the best thing for us!
And as always, if you’re renting…check with your landlord first!
