Q: In which “type” of family structure did you grow up yourself?
A: I grew up in a really ‘traditional’ family structure. My mum was always there when my brother and I got home from school, and my dad worked long hours with a long commute. I always thought I wanted to replicate this when I had my own kids but it’s ended up being completely different.
Q: When did you wish to have your own children?
A: I knew I wanted to have kids from a really early age. I actually had my first child at the age of 24, which if I could choose again I would probably wait a few more years, but as it is I have so enjoyed being a ‘young mum’.
Q: How did the family construct in which you now live evolve?
A: I split up from my husband at 27, when my youngest child was 6 months old. He’s now 6 and we’re a really strong team of three, and I have a fiancé who’s just about to join the family, too. I also live next door to my parents which I know is a slightly unusual setup, but I couldn’t have spent so much time on my career without them close by.
Q: Have your children questioned their family model? Have you even been questioned about your family model at school/kindergarten?
A: It’s all my children have ever known, so no they don’t question our family model. There has been the odd question from other kids at school but my two are very matter-of-fact about it.
Q: How do people in your environment respond to your family? Have you ever felt discriminated against as a family? If so, how did you handle the situation?
A: When I first became a single mum I felt very ashamed of my family situation, and I felt the reaction of others sometimes exacerbated that. I hated feeling judged that there was only one parent in our family, not two. But now I am proud of what we’ve achieved, I’m proud of how loving and successful our little family is.
Q: On a scale of 0 to 10: How much do you feel your family model is accepted by society? (0 = not accepted at all, 10 = fully accepted)
A: Six years ago I would have said about a 3! But now I’m more confident it’s probably about 7-8.
Q: What’s the best thing about your family?
A: How close we all are.
Q: What do you wish for your family in the future?
A: Only happiness and confidence, and to be as full of love as we have been these last few years!
About Alice:
Alice Judge-Talbot is a single mother, digital consultant and writer. Her blog covers everything from dating and food to parenting difficulties such as pregnancy, post-natal depression and raising a child with medical issues. She previously worked as Digital Manager for VICE.
You can check out more We Are Family interviews with parent bloggers here.