I was a perfect trad wife but when we divorced I had no education, or work history – I didn’t even get to keep my kids

A FORMER trad wife has revealed the struggles she went through after her husband divorced her, and she was left to navigate life with no education or work experience.

A tradwife (short for traditional wife) is a woman who chooses to take on an ultra traditional role in marriage, meaning she makes dinner and looks pretty whilst her husband goes to work.

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The trend takes inspiration from the idea of a 1950s housewife and many tradwives choose to dress in the style of clothing popular in this period ( think floral dresses and frumpy cardigans).

Additionally, the values considered important to tradwvies are similar to strict Christian values.

Tradwives state that they are not forced into this way of life, and believe that it is their purpose to be homemakers.

Mickayla Russell, revealed that she had married her husband at 19, and dropped out of university to be a stay at home wife.

She said that she had three children with her husband, and then, when she was 25, he asked for a divorce.

"I had nothing", she said.

"I didn't have an education, I didn't have a work history".

Because of this, Mickalya revealed that her husband had won custody of their young children, despite the fact that she had raised them full time for six years.

She moved back in with her parents, who she said she is very "grateful" for, and added that her mum and dad had to pay for her divorce as she had no money.

Mickayla said that every time she sees videos of people idealising the tradwife lifestyle online, it breaks her heart.

"I did everything right", she said, "and in the end I got left with nothing".

She added that, after her divorce, she found it very difficult to find a job that would pay her bills due to her lack of experience.

"It's so hard to build your life back up", she said.

The former tradwife now works as a waitress, and lives a four hour drive away from her children.

Mickayla's video, which was posted under the username @mickaylarussell11, has likely struck a chord with many people, as it has gone viral, racking up over 700,000 views on the video-sharing platform.

I did everything right and in the end I got left with nothing

Mickayla Russell

TikTok users raced to the video's comments section to share their thoughts, with many sharing their sympathy with Mickayla's plight,

One person said: "I got married at 19 and he left when I was 23 after two kids.

"Me & my toddlers ended up homeless because I had been a trad wife and I couldn't pay rent".

A second person said: "This sounds so devastating and hurtful.

"And this is the exact reason when my husband whom I love dearly asked me to stay home with our children, I said no".

A third added: "This is my parents. My dad has long wanted to separate from my mother but he won't because he knows she has nothing to her name and he's not evil".

A fourth chimed in: "I wish I could hug you right now.

"It’s amazing that you’re willing to speak on this.

"I wish you well".

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