Mrunalini Prabhumirashi has been a single mother since 2008. It was her harrowing and painful experience in family court, during divorce and custody for her son, that made her consider doing something for other women who might face similar realities. “More often than not, the woman is blamed for a failed marriage. Though women are emancipated today, society has a long way to go,” says the architect.

She, along with a few other single moms, have formed ASMI (A Single Mother’s Initiative) and will be launching it formally today (May 12) in the city. Says Mrunalini, “ASMI in Sanskrit means ‘I am’. Our motive is to facilitate self-growth and personal happiness. We believe that happy mothers make happy children. And in the age that we live in, divorce is not uncommon. Today, women are not willing to resign themselves to their fate or a bad marriage. And I don’t think it is prudent or wise to stay in a bad marriage for the sake of children. On the contrary, it might scar them. It is better for them to come from a broken home than live in one.”

ASMI members (as of now there are nine) usually meet twice a month. “It is through expressing, sharing, listening and understanding that a single mom can accept reality better. So, such a platform can prove very effective because each one is dealing with issues like social stigma, insecurity – be it financial, emotional or any other. Not to mention the added physical and mental pressures of parenting responsibilities that have to be handled alone. Moreover, we also plan varied activities with our children. Kids find it easier to open up with peers here and they adapt beautifully, much faster too,” elaborates Mrunalini.

ASMI is in the process of constituting for its members, a panel of professionals comprising legal, financial, medical, psychological and educational advisors. “It is not easy dealing with practical aspects in today’s world. Insecurity poses the biggest threat for a single mother. So, it becomes important to have help at hand,” she says.

Talking about how being a part of a support group can be a healing experience, she says the members also make it a point to celebrate festivals and occasions like birthdays together. “You become sisters and that is a very empowering feeling,” she notes, adding, “knowing you are not alone, helps you marshal more of your strength.”

Mrunalini also touches upon how in the course of the divorce, one could inadvertently say something negative about the father to the child. “That should not happen. You just have to let go of everything that you’ve been through. Let the child take pride in both his father and mother. Manipulation does not work. Children are intelligent and sensitive enough to form their own opinions. Allow them the freedom. Also, they adapt to reality much faster. I remember this incident when we had gone for dinner with my parents. My son went to see the aquarium and a waiter started chatting him up. To the usual, ‘where is your dad?’ question, my son calmly replied, ‘I have come with my mamma, my father is with his mamma.’ I was just amazed and happy that he saw it this way,” she recalls with a smile.

To know more about ASMI, call on 7588070507 (Monday to Saturday, 10.30 am to 5.30 pm).