I co-parent my kid with other parents of only children. We give each other a break and have developed close friendships.

Courtesy of Elizabeth Doerr

On an impromptu trip to the beach with my son, Finch, and another mother-and-son duo, I found myself sitting alone at the beach house's kitchen table. Liz Labby, the other mom, had taken our two 7-year-olds to the fishing supply store to acquire some crabbing gear, allowing me to work without being bothered. This promise to occupy the kids for a couple of hours allowed me and Finch to join them at the beach.