When's the last time you were out without the kids? 

When I first moved back to the Bay Area six years ago this month, I was wedged between resentment and anger. I wasn’t what you’d call “a single mom by choice.” I hadn’t exactly chosen the “single” part.

Fortunately, I soon found two other local single moms — with daughters around Mae’s age — who have since become my “sisters.”

Siobhan owns a kids’ clothing store. The first time I saw Siobhan, her daughter was decked out in one of her mama’s hand-sewn cape with polka dots — and a matching hat. I spotted Arden and her daughter at a local swimming pool. I couldn’t stop staring at them: our girls are biracial, and looking at them was like looking in a mirror.

We swap kids if one of us has to run an errand (or go on a date!). We cook dinner with our girls once a week. But it’s more than that. We call each other or email almost every day. These women are my partners in a way. They’ve pulled me out of many “man holes.”

But I can count the times on one hand when we’ve gone out together — kid-free — in the past few years. One such night was a recent weekend, for a Bay Area awards night. Siobhan, who opened her kids’ clothing store the same year she had her daughter, was a finalist for the Oakland Indie Awards.

Siobhan runs an organic, fair trade, mama-powered shop on her own. My creative seamstress friend was up for “Innovator.” That says it all.

When I showed up to help Siobhan, I was wearing all-black. That wouldn’t do. In a flash, Siobhan found a skirt she’d just sewn, and I stepped into it. The only glitch was… the skirt was a tad too big.

Here we are — three single moms out for a night on the town. Although I do lose my skirt… you can’t see nothin’. Sorry!

Who’s in your “clan”?

Who helps you get through the day? Do you ever get to the chance to have a moms’ night out? Do tell.