When Samantha Best's five-year relationship broke down, she found herself struggling. Despite a supportive family and an ambicable ex-partner, it was a struggle to adapt. Living in an expensive city after moving to be closer to work opportunities, left her with little income at first, and the loneliness didn't help.
But a chat with close friend Lauren transformed her situation - with the pair deciding to live together and raise their children under one roof. Samantha, 24, from New Plymouth, New Zealand, and son Kaelin, now share a home in Auckland, with best friend Lauren Robinson, 26, and her daughter Haidyn, five.
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The pair who met four years ago through Instagram moved in together last year and find the set-up ensures they can support each other.
Samantha said: "Lauren and I are inseparable. We moved into a house together in May this year after I decided to move back to Auckland for better work opportunities.
"It's so much easier living with Lauren. We've been able to split our finances and we are able to help each other with childcare if one of us is busy the other can pick them both up from school, or if either of us need to go out the other can watch the two children.
"We always know we will have a baby sitter if needed as well, it's great. I live with my best friend and Kaelin and Haidyn have a sibling figure for each other."
For Samantha it was 'hard' breaking up with the father of her only child having spent five years in a relationship - but they now share a healthy co-parenting relationship.
Being a young mum, Samantha was 20 when she had her son, just as she was about to start studying law after working in a law firm.
Samantha adds: "I fell pregnant when I was 20 whilst I was working in a law firm. I was offered a role and to start studying but then I became pregnant. I enjoyed spending time with my son so I took on a lot more social media content creating and did this full time instead.
"I hope I can inspire other people to do this and live with their friend if they are both single parents. It would help to give single mums a better life.
"I struggled before I moved in with Lauren. It was hard for myself and Kaelin to live on our own and live comfortably. Auckland is very expensive and I was quite lonely and scared.
"My family were so supportive when I decided to move as they knew it would be better for my career with a lot more opportunities but they missed us and found it hard to process.
"I go back home to New Plymouth every two weeks though so Kaelin can see his dad and I can see my family.
"I was sad when I thought Kaelin would be by himself, but it's so different now with Haidyn around, he has definitely come out of his shell as she is older than he is.
"He tries to do a lot of mature things and copies Haidyn. He learnt how to ride a bike by watching her do it as well as eating at the table. He definitely looks up to her.
She continued: "I live with my best friend and we have so much fun together. We have wine nights together watching Love Island together, who wouldn't want to live with their best friend.
"The kids keep themselves company together, but they are now like siblings so they do bicker and that can be challenging but that's really it and it's expected. "
Now Samantha and Lauren are always asked if they are in a relationship together with how close they are.
Samantha explains: "Definitely move in with your friend if you have to chance to. If you have a good foundation of friendship you should do it. It's like dating, it's a big thing to live with someone but if you get on well, why not and it's easier to save money too.
"People always think we're together in a relationship, it's always questioned but we definitely aren't.
"Neither of us are looking to date anyone either. If we found a partner they'd have to buy the house next door or something, neither of us have plans to move. We want to save up and buy a house together."
