In this weekend’s New York Times Magazine , Emily Bazelon profiles several groups of single mothers by choice — many with multiple kids — who support and live near each other with no men around. The moms take care of each other’s kids when needed, and provide a tight social network Bazelon refers to as “a kind of monastic motherhood.” Fran McElhill, single mom to girls MeiLin and Lili, says, “If I had a great job opportunity somewhere else, I wouldn’t move now. If I went somewhere else, I’d have to reform what we have here, and I don’t know if I could.” And Eileen Fishman describes her routine with friend and fellow single mom Tammy thus: “She calls at 6, and I’ll bring my kids over in their pajamas, or they’ll …
