Jade Small
Jade Small
December 11, 2024 ·  3 min read

Single mom besties move in together to raise their families as a platonic unit

Family can take many forms, and for two single moms in New Zealand, it means building a unique household where friendship and teamwork take center stage. Samantha Best and Lauren Robinson have created a platonic family unit, proving that love and support don’t have to come from romantic partnerships.

Childhood Dreams Turned Reality

Family and Multiethnic Diverse Friends Gathering Together at a Garden Table. People Eating Grilled and Fresh Vegetables, Sharing Tasty Salads for a Big Family Celebration with Relatives.
Source: Shutterstock

While most childhood dreams of living with a best friend fade as life unfolds, Best and Robinson have made theirs a reality. After Samantha, 24, split from her partner in 2021, she and her son Kaelin, 4, moved in with Lauren, 26, and her daughter Haidyn, 5. Together, they’ve created a supportive and loving environment for themselves and their children.

A New Kind of Co-Parenting

Group of Young Asian man and woman playing badminton together on backyard. Happy people friends enjoy and fun outdoor lifestyle with sport workout exercise at home together on summer holiday vacation.
Source: Shutterstock

Sharing a home means more than just splitting bills for these friends; it’s about co-parenting as a team. They handle everything together, from school pickups to grocery shopping. They even share a bank account to streamline household finances, showing just how seamlessly their lives are intertwined.

Financial Relief Through Teamwork

Senior women friends with coffee sitting outdoors on terrace, resting.
Source: Shutterstock

Life as a single mom can be financially overwhelming, but Best says the move has been transformative. By pooling resources and sharing responsibilities, both women have found stability in the expensive Auckland housing market. Best admitted that life on her own was lonely and stressful, but living with Robinson has changed everything.

Built-In Support for the Kids

Two happy friends talking outside in a house balcony at sunset
Source: Shutterstock

For Kaelin and Haidyn, the arrangement is like gaining a sibling. The kids now have constant companionship, while their moms enjoy nightly catch-ups over wine and TV. It’s a household filled with love, laughter, and the kind of connection that turns friends into family.

The Rise of “Mommunes”

mixed age group women friends having fun together outdoor in Glamping house. healthy lifestyle. diverse friendship. elderly woman along with adult daughters near her home. Weekend getaway at glamping
Source: Shutterstock

Best and Robinson are part of a growing trend of single moms creating “mommunes” or platonic family units. With rising rent costs and evolving ideas about family, many women are finding strength in partnerships built on friendship rather than romance.

Breaking Stereotypes About Relationships

large family walks across field holding hands. happy family childhood dream concept. family walks across the field on the grass at sunset and lifestyle hold each other's hands dark silhouettes
Source: Shutterstock

Their unconventional setup has sparked curiosity, with some assuming they’re in a romantic relationship. Best and Robinson dismiss these assumptions with humor, emphasizing that their bond is purely platonic. They focus on their family dynamic and personal growth, rather than rushing back into the dating scene.

A Future Open to Possibilities

Woman, friends and outdoor crowd at music festival for summer holiday, celebration or party concert. Female person, clapping and community dancing in nature excited group, event or social gathering
Source: Shutterstock

The friends joke about the challenges a potential partner might face joining their dynamic, but they’re not worried about finding love anytime soon. For now, they’re focused on healing from past relationships and enjoying the happiness they’ve built together.

A Friendship That Redefines Family

Three happy friends hugging smiling.Funny women together celebrating sitting on the living room sofa
Source: Shutterstock

Samantha Best and Lauren Robinson’s story is a reminder that family doesn’t have to fit the traditional mold. By leaning on each other and prioritizing their children’s well-being, they’ve created a life filled with love, laughter, and support. For these two besties, their platonic partnership is proof that friendship can truly be the foundation of family.

This content has, in part, been generated with the aid of an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.