Emily Ratajkowski Reflects on Dating as a Single Mother After Divorce

Emily Ratajkowski is opening up about the boundaries she set for herself while navigating dating and single motherhood following her divorce from film producer Sebastian Bear-McClard.

In a new essay published by The Cut, the 35-year-old model, author, and podcast host shared details about balancing her personal life with raising her son, Sylvester “Sly,” whom she shares with her ex-husband.

Ratajkowski revealed that she established strict rules when it came to dating, making sure her responsibilities as a mother always came first.

“After any one of our evenings spent together, feeling the beat of an encroaching hangover-induced migraine and knowing that my son would be awake early, hungry, and with a diaper to change, I would silently dress and slither out of Elder Millennial’s front door,” she wrote, referring to an unnamed romantic interest.

She explained that her approach was simple: “Never miss bedtime and basically no sleepovers.”

According to Ratajkowski, the rules were easy to follow because she genuinely preferred being with her son. No matter how late a night out lasted, she made sure to return home before morning.

“There was nowhere I’d rather be than when I woke up with my toddler,” she wrote, adding that she would leave in time to relieve the babysitter and be ready for her son’s early-morning call of “Maamaaaa!”

The experience also shaped how people she dated viewed her. One man reportedly praised her commitment to parenting, telling her: “Single moms, man! Y’all are ah-mazing. Women are ah-mazing.”

A New Chapter After Divorce

Ratajkowski and Bear-McClard married in a surprise courthouse ceremony in New York City in February 2018 after only a short period of dating. Their son, Sylvester Apollo Bear, was born in March 2021.

The couple separated in 2022, and Ratajkowski filed for divorce later that year. Reports surrounding the split included allegations of infidelity involving Bear-McClard, though the former couple did not issue a joint public statement detailing the reasons for the breakup.

Since the divorce, Ratajkowski has spoken extensively about rebuilding her life as a single mother. Through interviews, essays, and episodes of her podcast High Low with EmRata, she has described the period as one of personal growth and renewed independence.

Rather than viewing single motherhood as a setback, she has characterized it as an opportunity to reclaim her identity and autonomy. She has previously said that entering her thirties as a single mother felt like her life was “just beginning.”

Challenging Stereotypes

A recurring theme in Ratajkowski’s public comments has been her rejection of negative stereotypes surrounding single mothers.

She has pushed back against the notion that single mothers are necessarily overwhelmed, lonely, or focused on finding a new partner. Instead, she has emphasized creating a happy and fulfilling life for herself and her son.

Ratajkowski has also discussed her approach to parenting a young boy. During a podcast conversation with actress and model Julia Fox, she spoke about being mindful of gender expectations and encouraging a broad range of interests for her son.

She explained that while Sylvester enjoys traditionally marketed “boys’ toys” such as trucks, she also introduces dolls, tea sets, and other toys to provide balance and avoid limiting gender stereotypes.

The model has said that one of her goals is to raise a son who is emotionally expressive and respectful of women, rather than conforming to traditional expectations of masculinity.

Speaking Out Against Mom-Shaming

Ratajkowski has also become an outspoken critic of online “mom-shaming.” After receiving criticism on social media over a photo showing how she held her infant son, she publicly condemned strangers who judged her parenting.

She argued that new parents should not be subjected to harsh criticism while navigating the challenges and emotions that come with raising a child.

Looking Ahead

In recent years, Ratajkowski has openly discussed her post-divorce dating experiences, describing a period filled with casual relationships and self-discovery. In her latest essay, however, she reflects on a more grounded phase of life in which motherhood remains her top priority.

Her story offers a candid look at the realities of dating while raising a child alone, highlighting the balance between personal independence and parental responsibility that many single parents navigate every day.