Sharing the load Why solo mothers are teaming up as housemates in China

As divorce rates rise and living costs bite, single mothers in China are searching for a new kind of partner: each other.

- Helen Davidson

Across social media are posts from harried mothers seeking like-minded parents to share a home and child-rearing responsibilities.

“I’m hoping to find another single mom to share an apartment with, so we can take care of each other,” said a popular post on Xiaohongshu, a platform known overseas as RedNote. “If our children are around the same age, that would be even better - they can be companions. Those raising kids alone know how tough it is; sometimes you're so busy you barely have time to eat.”

There is no specific data on the trend, but scholars say they have observed the informal support network growing online, with housemate-seeking posts and broader discussions sharing advice for women considering it.