Maria Myhr Haugnes, a 37-year-old from Norway, decided to have a child alone after experiencing years of being single and facing challenges to find a suitable partner. Despite her initial hopes of starting a family in her younger years, circumstances led her to realize that she needed to explore different options. The desire to become a mother grew stronger, and she began to consider single motherhood as a viable path.

The turning point for Maria came with the 2020 legalization of assisted fertilization for single individuals in Norway, which simplified her decision to pursue motherhood alone. This change in policy reflected a growing acceptance of diverse family structures within Norwegian society, allowing individuals like Maria the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of parenthood without needing to conform to traditional norms. As she prepared for motherhood, the support from her family and community played a significant role in her journey.

Now, Maria lives with her child, Elliot, in a generational home with family near Steinkjer. She has faced questions regarding her choice to parent alone, often encountering misunderstanding about her decision. However, she emphasizes her determination and the genuine desire to be a mother, asserting that the choice not to have a father for her child was not one made lightly, but out of necessity and her unwavering wish to nurture a family of her own.