Rumer Willis Opens Up About the Struggles of Being a Solo Mom
Rumer Willis is opening up about the realities of being a single parent.
“Just had an emotional moment in the woods. Some days, being a single mom is challenging,” Willis, 37, shared on Instagram Stories on Wednesday, November 19. “[My daughter] is never difficult, but tackling everything alone can be tough.”
Willis welcomed her daughter Louetta in April 2023 with her then-partner, Derek Richard Thomas. They ended their relationship less than a year later.
“I am navigating single parenthood and co-parenting,” Willis wrote in an August 2024 social media post. “I’m incredibly thankful for Lou. She is the highlight of my life. I’ll always cherish the time I had in that relationship, which brought her into my world.”
Willis and Thomas, 30, began dating in 2022 and frequently celebrated each other on social media.
“My sweet man @derekrichardthomas, I never knew love could feel like this. I’ve never been happier. You make everything more enjoyable and joyful,” the Dancing With the Stars champion posted on Instagram in February 2023. “You take such good care of my ♥️. Your playful spirit and laughter are what drew me to you.”
She continued, “Thank you for being my partner in crime, my confidant, my best friend, and always being up for adventure while challenging me to improve myself. Thank you for making me a mother and joining me on this incredible journey into parenthood.”
After their breakup, Willis has concentrated on prioritizing Louetta’s welfare.
“Lou is such an amazing little person. She is curious and full of wonder—seeing the world through her eyes is a true joy,” Willis shared in a January interview with London’s Absolutely Mamas magazine. “Toddlerhood has its own challenges, but every moment with her feels like a gift. She’s growing swiftly, and each day is a new adventure.”
Willis expressed her appreciation for the “unconditional love and bond” with her daughter.
“Watching Lou explore the world, learn to communicate, and develop her personality is incredibly rewarding,” she added. “She has taught me so much about patience, presence, and the beauty of everyday moments.”
Rumer noted that she gained valuable parenting insights from her parents, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, who were together from 1987 to 2000.
“My parents instilled in me the value of being present and fostering a loving, supportive environment,” Rumer told Absolutely Mamas. “That’s something I aim to provide for Lou every day. I also cherish the creativity and freedom my parents encouraged, wanting to cultivate that sense of exploration and individuality in her.”
Bruce, 70, and Moore, 63, also spend quality time with Louetta.
“I am ‘YaYa,’ and she is the cutest,” Moore shared during a September 2024 appearance on Today, revealing her grandmother nickname. “Rumer just sent me a photo with spaghetti on her head.”
Bruce, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023, now resides separately from his wife Emma Heming Willis and their two young children.
