Building Community: Starting SMBC Lëtzebuerg

Building Community: Starting SMBC Lëtzebuerg

When the three of us first came together, we were at very different stages of our journeys as Single Mums by Choice (SMBC). Between us, our children span from a curious five-year-old to a newborn just five weeks old. Different ages, different experiences, but one thing in common: the belief that no mother should have to walk this path alone.

Our conversations began informally in 2024, over coffee and playdates organised through existing SMBC WhatsApp groups. We realised there was a need to formalise the support that was already emerging, to build a structured and welcoming space for SMBC, prospective SMBC, and their friends and family. By 2025, those discussions led to the official registration of the SMBC Lëtzebuerg Asbl.

Our mission is to support families of single parents by choice and their children by providing a forum for sharing experiences, organising meetups and workshops, raising awareness, and advocating for the rights of single-parent families. From information workshops for children to sessions for parents and their wider families, we aim to offer practical guidance, encouragement, and a strong network for those navigating this path.

Although we are a small team of three founding members, all with young children, we are full of energy and ideas. Our first event will be an end-of-summer party on September 21st, and from October we plan to launch a children’s book club focused on SMBC topics. Future workshops and meetups will grow based on the knowledge and interests within our community: we believe that the members themselves are the greatest resource we have.

Why do we need an SMBC association specifically for Luxembourg? With its multicultural population and multilingual environment, information and support for SMBC can feel scattered and overwhelming, it’s easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees when you’re just starting your journey. Our association aims to bring everything together in one place, so newcomers can quickly find guidance on treatment options, donor selection, costs, reimbursements, and other practical considerations in Luxembourg and the surrounding countries.

We welcome anyone who wants to be an active member: current SMBC, prospective SMBC, and their friends or family. Together, we want to build a community that supports each other, strengthens connections, and meets the real-life needs of single-parent families by choice.

Launching an association while raising young children is challenging, and time is always tight. Yet, despite the difficulties, we remain committed to this worthwhile mission. Our vision is simple but powerful: a vibrant, informed, and supportive community for all SMBC in Luxembourg, where no one has to navigate this journey alone.