Divorced, Broke, Living With Mom

At 38, I never imagined I’d be moving back into my mother’s house with my two kids, mid-divorce. An acquaintance once confided that I was her worst fear realized, as she considered leaving her husband and feared the financial fallout. No adult woman wants to live with her mom, but here I am.

A decade ago, I was a lawyer at a big firm, grinding through long hours. My ex-husband and I weren’t living large; we shared a tiny studio while paying off student loans. He started making good money in finance, and soon we upgraded to a loft. I left my job to pursue writing, but without financial pressure, I barely wrote anything meaningful.

Then my father got cancer, and our lives turned upside down. The strain took a toll on my marriage. I often retreated to my childhood home for comfort. My father’s death left me emotionally shattered, and my marriage eventually crumbled.

When my husband lost his job, I was left alone with our kids in a high-rent apartment. We drained our savings quickly. My mother repeatedly offered her home, but I resisted until our financial situation became dire. One night, overwhelmed, I called her and accepted.

Moving back felt like a reset. My son now sleeps in my old bedroom, my daughter in a converted closet. My bed is in the basement, where I juggle practicing law and writing. Despite the upheaval, this move grounded me.

My kids are adjusting well, attending school nearby. My ex helps when he can, but money is tight. I’m practicing law from home, on a strict budget, even applying for food stamps. Yet, I find time to write and run, using these moments to process my emotions and stay healthy.

Living with my mom has its challenges, but it’s also brought us closer. I set goals: to have my own place in two years, to write a book in three. I’m not back where I started; I’m in a new mental space, focused on what truly matters: my kids, my independence, and my voice.