Words Reuben Butterfield, mBrand
Photo Sarah Hartley Photography
Two moms, four kids, one intentionally shared home. Kids. Careers. Co-parenting. Laundry. Sick days. School drop-offs and events. Being a mom – especially to young kids – is a full-on, full-body, full-heart kind of life. And for many, the traditional models of family and support just don’t quite fit.
What happens when two women meet that intensity with heart, care and the courage to try something different? Not as partners. Not as a blended family. As something else – a shared home built on trust, friendship and mutual respect.
Dangira and Jodie are raising four kids half time under one roof, navigating careers and busy lives, and showing up for each other in the beautifully chaotic rhythm of motherhood.
We talked about how they make it work – and how others might carve out something just as intentional.
Choosing to Live Together, On Purpose
A conscious choice to build a home rooted in clarity, care, and connection.
Jodie: We talked about what we both wanted, and it clicked. A home that made space for the kids to play, be loud, and invite friends over. I had just moved into a new place, but this felt so right.
Dangira: I was ready to live differently – with more community, more support, and more intention. We shaped this together, and it’s brought so much light into our lives.
The Rhythm of Home
The rhythm here is built on presence, communication, and mutual care.
Jodie: There’s a rhythm to the days. Even hearing her car pull in feels grounding. Crib nights, quick check-ins – it all adds up to something steady and special.
Dangira: Our hugs matter so much. And our evening crib games. I know that no matter how hard the day is, I’ll come home to a moment of support and warmth.
How the Kids Are Thriving
They’re involved, they contribute, and they love it.
Jodie: My kids love being here. They each have their own space, and I’ve watched them grow so naturally into the rhythm of it all.
Dangira: Mine always light up when hers are home. They’re so excited to see each other – it’s beautiful to witness.
Support Where It Matters Most
Support is baked into this arrangement in beautiful ways.
Jodie: When I got sick, she stepped in completely – helped with the kids, the house, everything. That support was huge.
Dangira: A hug, help with the kids, or an ear in a tough moment – we’re both here. That makes a huge difference in my days.
Why It Works
This setup was built with intention and trust.
Jodie: We built something that holds us all – and lifts the everyday.
Dangira: It fills my cup, providing a deep sense of belonging. And that ripples out to every area of my life: business, partnership, parenting, friendships.
The Little Things That Matter Most
It’s often the smallest things that create the deepest sense of belonging.
Jodie: The kids having their own space, the freedom to be solo when I want to, and with a great friend when I want to.
Dangira: Being accepted and supported so beautifully – with childcare, crib games, and the most amazing chocolate chip cookies!
Creating Your Own Version
This kind of living doesn’t have to look a certain way – but it has to feel right.
Jodie: You don’t have to do it all alone. This kind of setup can bring joy, support, and real connection.
Dangira: Do it! So many reasons. It may not click the first time, but keep trying. Like other relationships, you might have to kiss a frog or two before you find the right fit.
This is more than a story about sharing a home. It’s about what holds us and fills our cup from the core. A sense of home not tied to convention, but to community. A modern kind of village, created with care and shared on purpose.
Seeing it work makes me think differently: about parenting, about housing, about the shape of our lives. How often we try to hold it all ourselves. How little we ask for help. How rarely we imagine something different – until we see how beautiful it can be.
