Ms. No Single Mama Drama’s Blog

Study Shows Cohabiting Bad for Kids

In the May 2007 issue of Child Trends (Research Brief), an article titled, The Relationship Context of Births Outside of Marriage: The Rise of Cohabitation, states that over the past 30 years, child births outside of marriage have risen to 37 percent in 2005, compared with 22 percent in 1985. Additionally, the non-marital birth rate has increased from 32.8 in 1985 to 47.6 in 2005. While the changes have been seen in all age groups, younger women outpace their older counterparts.

The reason? People are choosing cohabitation over marriage at alarming rates.

But, one of the most interesting findings of the study is that cohabitating, often seen as a “step in the right direction,” can actually do as much harm to children in cohabitating households as to children headed by single mother households. Children in cohabitating relationships (versus those in married households) are more likely to:

1) Be poor

2) Have inadequate access to food & health care

3) Have literacy issues

4) Have disciplinary problems

Interestingly, these are the same issues faced by children of single-mother households but to a lesser degree.

So what’s the benefit?

Ms. No Single Mama Drama Mouths Off on the Subject.

Peace, love and blessings and, of course, keep it drama free.

Ms. No Single Mama Drama
Got questions? Ask Me!

Well, I’m finally doing what I’ve been thinking about for years: writing about my adventures as a single mama - and, boy, did I have some!

Because I’ve been through every SINGLE MAMA DRAMA scenario that you can think of…from being no-pot-to-potty-in broke, to (unknowingly and unwillingly) becoming a star player in a “War of the Roses” type of real-life drama, I believe I have a God-given obligation to use my life’s experiences - whether good, bad or horrible - to help other single mothers live drama-free lives.

Some of the things I’ve been through will make you cry (heart-wrenching confessionals). Some will make you laugh (these are so downright funny, they’re unbelievable). Some will make you wonder what the heck I was thinking (did I miss the common sense bus that day?) And, some are so unfair (you’ll be mad for me). But with every life experience, I learned a lot about people, life and, most of all, myself and how to live a drama-free life!

But this blog is not just about me - it’s about you, too and, more importantly, about our children and how we, as their primary caregivers, have a responsibility to improve their quality of life by eliminating the SINGLE MAMA DRAMA!

So, c’mon already, your drama-free life is waiting for you…right around the corner.