On Women Who Defy Society’s Expectations

Many young women feel the pressure “to settle down”. Whether the story they imagine unfolding in early adulthood includes a white picket fence or the penthouse, it usually involves a man, a ring, and a child or two—or more. You know, The Fairytale.

But what happens when things change course, and it doesn’t seem like the dream of becoming a mom is anywhere in sight? In other words, what do modern single women do when they are getting past the age where having biological babies is feasible?

More and more are freezing their eggs—which can be a great thing to do, but it is certainly no insurance. 

Of course, many turn to online dating apps and get into matchmakers’ databases in hopes of meeting an eligible bachelor before the clock stops ticking. I know this, because I am seeing many women apply to my own complimentary database at my boutique relationship consultancy, Rachel Russo Relationships, every day—and more so, lately, during “Love Month”. Younger women wanting kids. Older women wanting kids. There are a lot of women really trying to meet that man who is on the same page about wanting a family, yesterday.

I feel for those women. I was one of those women—until I wasn’t. Until I decided to take an alternate route. For some brave ladies, there is a new way to find your person—and it is after you have had your baby! As you may know, I took this road less travelled and have lived to write about it.

Last month, a journalist from Yahoo Life reached out to interview me for her piece regarding dating for solo moms by choice. I was happy to see this article with my insights-and those of other solo moms-came out this week, on Valentine's Day. Everything written here --totally relatable to me!

Its so awesome to have a community of other like-minded women who have decided to make this unique-and increasingly more popular-lifestyle choice. A lot of people have been referring me friends who are in the thinking stage. Some have even reached out on social media and hired me for consults.

I am so open to connect with any woman who is contemplating this rewarding and challenging path of having a baby on her own—and worrying what dating looks like after.

Personally, I am fully enjoying my little one, throwing myself into my work, and focusing on my own dating (a little!) later in the game. As for getting to be a woman who is defying society’s expectations-well that’s just the icing on the cake and the result of fighting for my own fairytale!