Imagine deciding to have a baby with your best friend—someone who’s not your romantic partner but your closest confidant. Sounds unconventional, right? But here’s where it gets controversial: Nicola Slawson, a journalist and author of Single: Living a Complete Life on Your Own Terms, did exactly that. After a decade of being single and assuming parenthood was out of reach, Nicola found an unexpected solution in her friendship with Tom Hayes, a gay man she met through their shared connection to an arts center in Shrewsbury. And this is the part most people miss—their bond wasn’t built on romance but on a shared longing for companionship in a world where most of their friends had moved on to parenthood. What started as a casual friendship over drinks turned into a life-changing conversation at an LGBTQ+ history month party, where Nicola, fueled by wine and courage, popped the question: “How would you feel about having a baby with me?” Tom’s response? A simple yet profound “Yeah, go on.” Fast forward to last year, and Nicola gave birth to a baby girl, co-parented with her best friend. In a candid conversation with Helen Pidd, Nicola and Tom open up about the joys and challenges of this unique arrangement. Tom reflects, “It’s a struggle having a baby, but it’s also amazing… to experience childhood again with your best friend just felt right.” But here’s the bold question: Is this the future of modern families, or a one-off exception? Let’s discuss—do you think co-parenting with a friend could work for you? Share your thoughts below!
