Audrey Makes Two

SMC Common Concerns: How can I afford to have a baby on my own?

Ok, first for a little reality check.  I am 40, highly educated, with a solid resume and marketable skills.  Not every Single Mother by Choice is in this position, but judging from the posts on the Single Mothers by Choice discussion boards the majority are at least highly educated.  Even those of us who have chosen a career path that is traditionally underpaid (social work, teachers, etc.) have the education and skills to earn more if we need to for our children.  So why the worry?

For me it wasn’t so much that I couldn’t imagine how I would afford a child, it was more that I couldn’t imagine how I could continue to afford my pre-pregnancy lifestyle.  more…

SERIES: Common concerns about becoming a Single Mother by Choice

As I approach my due date (in two days!!!) I find myself thinking again about all the concerns I had when I first decided to go down this path.

Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten so many phone calls in the past few months from women I went to high school or college with, all asking about my experience because they’re considering doing the same.  You see, I was born in 1970, so we’re all turning 40 this year.  It seems to mark a turning point for women, when “do I want kids?” becomes “I better get on it NOW if I want kids.” Turns out we all have the same list of worries and concerns about going it alone.

Or maybe it’s because I went to see Jennifer Lopez in The Back-up Plan earlier this summer.  more…