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In todays episode I speak to solo parent Sarah
In the episode we cover: - The difference between using the term single parent or solo parent
- Making the decision to become a solo parent
- Having IUI or IVF
- Having a really tough time postpartum and getting through it
- The benefits of parenting solo
- The unrealistic expectations we think we'd have of a partner!
- Advice for those considering solo parenthood
and much more.....
You can follow Sarah here
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In todays episode we meet with Jayneel Patel about her journey to solo parenthood.
In the episode we discussed:
Coming from an Indian family and the impact that has on the decision to become a solo parent Going through an arranged marriage and the learnings from that Considering adoption Having the support of the important people in our lives Being embraced by the extended family Choosing a sperm donor and considerations around ethnicity Getting things done as a solo parent Juggling career and parenthoodAnd much more!
If you want to follow Jayneel you can find her at @jp1409
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In the last episode of Series 6 of the Stork and I Podcast I chat to solo parent Alexandra.
Alexandra is a solo parent and an award winning Melbourne writer who has written for theatre, screen and print. Her memoir Inconceivable was recently published by Hachette.
In the episode we discuss:
- Her memoir Inconceivable
- Splitting up with a partner because they don't want children and you do
- 'Settling' for someone as an alternative to pursuing solo parenthood
- The challenges of dating when wanting children
- Considering using a known donor
- The importance of our solo parent network
- Moving location to be closer to parents
and MUCH more!
You can follow Alexandra at: https://www.instagram.com/alexandracollierwrites/
You can purchase Inconceivable here
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
Todays episode is with Solo parent Jess, who lives with her baby daughter in Thailand.
In the episode we cover:
- The considerations of solo parenthood when you live abroad
- Using a known donor
- Support network when you live away from family and how friends can really step up
- Childcare options when abroad
- Deciding whether to try for a 2nd baby
- Navigating being a solo parent and having a new relationship
and much more
You can follow Jess at @theglobe_thebaby_andme/
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
Todays episode is with solo parent Talia.
In the episode we cover:
- Why things are not always easier with a partner
- Keeping a positive attitude
- Embracing non traditional living arrangements and making them work for us
- Pregnancy after loss
- Enabling our kids to engage with other donor conceived people and the importance of that for them
You can follow Talia on Instagram at @taliamck
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
Todays episode is with Claire Holland AKA @Claire_needs_coffee. Claire is a solo mum to her 4 year old Theo and chats with me all about her decision to become a solo parent, the journey to get there and the realities of parenting with no partner.
In the episode we discuss:
- Choosing IUI vs IVF
- Having a more challenging fertility journey than expected
- Getting time to yourself in the evening
- Balancing career and parenthood
- Finding your tribe
and much much more!
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In todays episode I chat to Alpa, solo mum to 5 year old Mia. We discuss:
- Deciding to become a solo parent
- Managing pregnancy solo
- Moving to be closer to parents
- Choosing a sperm donor
- A challenging birth and post natal experience
- Changing careers
- The realities of parenting solo
and much much more.
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In todays episode I chat to solo parent to twins, Julia Shields. Julia has 4 year old twins. Her son was born with a complex heart condition that shapes a lot of how they live their lives.
In this episode we discuss:
- Julias decision to become a solo parent
- The living arrangements Julia has put in place
- How blended family living can work
- Parenting during covid
- The impact of her son having a complex heart condition from new born to today
- How Julia manages through challenging times
and much more......
Huge thanks to Julia for sharing her story and massive respect for the strength she has. She is a true inspiration.
You can follow Julia on Instagram
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In todays episode I chat to solo parent Kirsten.
Kirsten is solo mum to 2 children by double donation.
In todays episode we discuss:
- Fertility tests an understanding your fertility
- Deciding to use donor eggs as well as donor sperm
- Making the decision to try for a sibling
- The experience of parenting two children solo
Thanks so much to Kirsten for taking the time to share her story with us.
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In episode 3 of series 6 of the Stork and I Podcast, I chat to Claire Davies about her roller coaster journey to solo parenthood so far.
We discuss:
- Deciding between IUI and IVF
- Getting treatment on the NHS
- Experiencing chemical pregnancy
- Dealing with miscarriage and recurrent loss
- Not realising how tough the journey can be after you've spent a long time considering whether it's the right path
- The importance of having amazing people around you
...and much more
You can follow Claire on Instagram
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In the first episode of Series 6 I chat to Alisha Burns AKA @Noneedforprincecharming
Alisha is the host of the No Need For Prince Charming Podcast where she interviews Australian Solo Mums about their journey to parenthood.
For a change, she was the one being interviewed and I found out all about her own story, when she started thinking about solo parenthood, her journey to get there as well as her experiences as a parent.
We also discussed the children's book she has written. My Perfect Family. She very generously sent me a copy and I can honestly say it's one of the best books on family diversity that I've seen.
You can get 15% off using code STORK15
You can follow Alisha on Instagram at @noneedforprincecharming
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support
Thriving Solo:
You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents.
In todays episode, the last in series 10, I speak to 21 year old Skyler.
Skyler and her twin brother were conceived using egg and sperm donation and raised by their mum in a solo parent family.
Skyler shares her experiences and thoughts about being donor conceived
In todays episode we cover:
- The things we do when we want to fit in as a child
- Growing up being the only solo parent family in the area
- When something happens to your only parent that prevents them for caring for you as they would have liked
- Finding your own male role models
- Whether solo parenthood through donor conception is a selfish decision
- Ways you can struggle growing up without a father
- The importance of honest communication
- What language to use with our children
....and much more!
Connect with Skyler
You can connect with Skyler on Instagram at @skylergranat
She would love to hear from other donor conceived people to share experiences.
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for at www.thestorkandi.com (scroll down to the section where it says subscribe)
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I speak to Emma. Emma is solo mum to a 9 month old daughter using sperm donation and she talks to me about her wonderful experience of being connected by her Sperm Bank to the other recipient parents who have all used the same donor.
In todays episode we cover:
- Being a solo mum with a very limited support system
- Being connected to donor sibling families when the donor siblings are still all babies
- The language we use and whether we should use the term 'diblings'
- What makes a family and the importance of genetics
- Ways of finding donor siblings through Facebook Groups
and much more....
I mentioned being really interested in whether more sperm banks will follow what Seattle Sperm bank is doing, but actually the legislation in the UK will not allow it, so if we think this is something that should change, we would need to change the legislation in order for this to be able to happen for people who have used sperm from the UK.
The whatsapp group I referred to in the podcast for people who have used Manchester Fertility / Semovo has been replaced by a Facebook group that you can access here.
I have a live event planned with Seattle Sperm Bank to learn more about the programme Emma describes. You can get more information about that and how to join here.
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Newsletter
I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for at www.thestorkandi.com (scroll down to the section where it says subscribe)
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I speak to Natasha Fox. Natasha is 29 and was raised by her mum in London and then later Scotland. Natasha's mum was the first single woman in Scotland to use donor conception to conceive. Natasha has always known she was donor conceived and openly shares her experiences in this episode.
In todays episode we cover:
- Using a homemade book to talk to our children about their conception
- The importance of being honest and open about our childrens conception
- The influence we have over how our children feel about their conception
- Emphasising who we have in our life without labels
- Natasha's thoughts about growing up without a father in her life
- Why curiosity about a donor is not a reflection on the quality of parenting
- The best time to find donor siblings
and much more....
Resources
I have created a guide of how to create your own My Family book that is referred to in this episode available here
You can listen to the webinar I recorded with Natasha here
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I chat to Freya.
Freya is donor conceived and was raised by 2 mums. Then, her and her wife used donor sperm to conceive a daughter, so she has perspectives of both being donor conceived and also being a recipient parent.
**Warning: we discuss some characteristics of the sperm donor Freya used in the episode**
In this episode we cover:
- Feelings about being donor conceived
- A good age to meet donor siblings
- Finding your donor through DNA testing
- How it feels to connect with your donor
- What language feels comfortable
- Considering using a known donor
- The importance of constantly learning
and much much more!
Connect with Freya:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicorndcp
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I speak to Julianne Boutaleb.
Julianne is the Clinical Director and Founder of the Parenthood In Mind practice. She is a passionate and highly experienced perinatal psychologist who has worked for over 20 years in the NHS and private practice with parents and parents-to-be and their babies (and bumps) who have needed support with a wide variety of issues.
In todays episode we cover:
- Our reproductive stories and coming to terms with the fact that they might be different to how we originally thought they would be
- Dealing with feelings of loneliness and shame
- Managing the 'ouch moments' beyond the fairytale
- Projections on our beliefs of motherhood
- The feelings of finding parenting hard after a difficult fertility journey
- The importance of finding our village
- The importance of filling our own cup
- Tips of how to manage tricky questions that catch us off guard
and much more.....
Connect with Julianne:
Website: https://www.parenthoodinmind.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parenthoodinmind/
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I speak to Emily.
Emily was conceived using a sperm donor and raised by a solo parent. Because it was pretty common to be a solo parent family where Emily grew up, she didn't ask many questions about her father until her mum showed her a documentary about donor conception when she was in her teens, and she realised that she was conceived with a donor.
We explore the impact of not having those in depth conversations at an earlier age.
In todays episode we cover:
- Finding out you're donor conceived through watching a documentary
- The impact of not having conversations about donor conception from an early age
- The experience of meeting your donor
- How it feels to connect with donor siblings
- Advice for others
and much more.....
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I speak to Melissa from the United States Donor Conceived Council.
Melissa was conceived using anonymous egg donation and her parents told her and her brother when she was 21.
Melissa is part of the US Donor Conceived Council, which is a nonprofit organization run by and for Donor Conceived People. They connect with other DCP, recipient parents, donors, industry professionals, and the general public to increase awareness of issues that impact DCP and promote change that advances their health, welfare, and human rights."
In this episode we cover:
- The important topics that the United States Door Conceived Council are fighting for
- The feeling of burden that can be felt by DCP trying to find family members
- Some of the challenges with worldwide donor limits
- The differences in experiences of a RP and a DCP
- How societys view of what makes a family, might impact our thoughts about the term 'parent'
- The importance of not making the subject of donor conception taboo for our kids
- Why we should try not to take criticisms of the industry personally
....and much much more.
Connect with Donor Conceived Council
To connect with the US Donor Conceived Council you can follow them on Instagram
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donorconceivedcouncil/
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com Future Events: You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/
In todays episode I chat to 24 year old Nikita. Nikita was donor conceived through sperm donation and raised by a solo mum in Birmingham.
Being donor conceived inspired her to work in fertility which has allowed her to better understand the process from the parent perspective. She believe's it is important to hear the views of both parents and donor conceived people for future generations to have a more positive experience. She started looking for her donor and siblings aged 16 and feels very lucky to have a supportive family.
In todays episode we cover:
- Talking to your childs friends parents about donor conception
- The benefits to our children of knowing other donor conceived children
- How it feels to find out your donors non identifying information at 16
- Finding half siblings and 3rd cousins!
- The benefits of RPs doing the work when it comes to finding donor siblings to give the options for DCP and not leaving all the investigations to our children
- Changing feelings about a donor over time
- How a sense of identity can be linked to understand who your donor is
- Creative ways of trying to find your donor
- The part genetics plays in our lives
and much much more!
Connect with Nikita
To connect with Nikita you can follow her on Instagram, where she will be more than happy to answer any questions:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsnikitaxx
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://tinyurl.com/yckpfd9k
In todays episode I chat to licensed professional counselor and international consultant specializing in fertility and family building, Jana Rupnow.
Jana M. Rupnow, MA, LPC, is best-selling author of the book, Three Makes Baby-How to Parent Your Donor-Conceived Child. She introduced the field to the ?five common fears? that parents face as they contemplate having a non-biological child. Thousands of readers around the world have trusted the wisdom and guidance because she knows firsthand what it?s like to be in a non-biological family, as an adoptee and adoptive mom.
Jana also faced infertility and has helped thousands of people face the challenges of infertility as well as those preparing to grow their family in non-traditional ways. Working as an independent, she has fostered relationships with endocrinologists across the United States. Jana?s work, including the Three Makes Baby podcast, encourages communication between donor conceived parents and donor conceived adults, to raise awareness of the inherent challenges donor conceived families may face across the lifespan.
In todays episode we cover:
The importance of giving DCP a voice The importance of working through any unresolved grief How our children are influenced by how we discuss donor conception The importance of language and what to call a donor Why its important to own our mistakes Advice about when to start talking to our children about their conception
Connect with Jana
For consultation, counseling, training for professionals, or a speaking engagement you can contact Jana on any of her channels below
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janarupnowplc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jana.rupnow
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanaRupnowLPC
Website: www.janarupnow.com
Email: [email protected]
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i.
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://tinyurl.com/yckpfd9k
In episode one of series 5 of The Stork and I Podcast I chat to Kiara.
Kiara is a 24 year-old donor conceived person who was raised by her solo mom, Nicki. She lives in Chicago and is writing a book about being donor conceived and her story of navigating life and finding her donor related family. She is trying to redefine society's notion of a "traditional family". You can check her out on instagram @kiararaeschuh and get a free preview of her book at kiararaeschuh.com.
In todays episode we cover:
- The impact the way you are told you are door conceived can have on you
- The importance of language around donor conception
- Finding donor siblings
- How it feels to connect with your donor
- Whether genetics makes a family
- Advice for solo parents
and much more.......
Connect with Kiara
Instagram: https:https://www.instagram.com/kiararaeschuh/
Website: kiararaeschuh.co/
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com
Instagram:
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i.
Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://tinyurl.com/yckpfd9k
The wait is finally over! The Stork and I Podcast for solo parents and those considering solo parenthood is back!
Series 5 of the podcast is launching on 2nd February 2022 and is focusing on all things donor conception.
Subscribe now so you don't miss out!
Todays episode is a bit different from usual.
I'm not talking to a guest. Instead I have dedicated this episode to provide guidance for friends and family members of solo mums.
I've tried to incorporate my own experience as well as everything that has been shared with me by my fellow solo mum community.
I've covered all the things we wish our friends and family knew about how to best support us and what not to say.
I cover:
- Re-establishing a different relationship with your friend
- How hard asking for help is
- Practical things you can do to help a solo parent
- Things to avoid saying and more useful things to stay instead
- The importance of open communication
I'd love to hear from you on your views of what good support looks like and if you are a friend or family member whether this has been useful for you.
Todays guest is Helen Davenport-Peace from @at_the_fold
Helen is a yoga teacher that has been immersed in the path of yoga, embodiment and teaching for 25 years. She is the owner of a small yoga studio in Greater Manchester, The Fold - a hub for anyone trying to conceive. Her aim is to provide a sanctuary of rest and community amidst the landscapes of creating a family. Helen supports people in the midst of a trying to conceive story through Fertility Yoga sessions and co-created 1:1 conception doula bespoke support packages for assisted conception and early pregnancy. Support is carefully curated together and can include yoga, guided relaxation, massage, breathwork and a range of other modalities.
In todays episode we cover:
The power of finding your community The variety of ways that yoga can help support us through a fertility journey Practical advice of how to incorporate a yoga practise into a busy schedule
Connect with Helen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/at_the_fold/
Website: https://thefold.uk/
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i.
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me at www.thestorkandi.com
Todays guest is Sarah Holland, the Fertile Mindset® Coach and has a unique, effective and empowering approach to fertility support. Working in the world of fertility since 2001, and having experienced fertility challenges herself, she pioneered the use of EFT Tapping specifically for fertility support.
With the Fertile Mindset® approach to coaching, support and emotional healing she has helped thousands of people negotiate the emotional rollercoaster of fertility issues. Sarah believes it is possible for anyone?s fertility journey to become a much more positive and fulfilling experience, and that by recognising and supporting the emotional aspects of fertility, the path to parenthood can become more successful in every way including creating a family.
Sarah?s coaching clients and Fertile Mindset® Sanctuary members frequently tell her that the results they achieve with her support and EFT ?feel like magic!?. Sarah has appeared on BBC News and Channel 5 talking about fertility topics, and has spoken on stage at the Fertility Show and My Future Family Show in London, the American Fertility Expo in California and Fertilitetsmessen in Copenhagen, as well as at numerous online fertility events and podcasts. She is also a proud member of the AlphaZita holistic fertility team, offering integrated fertility support on retreat at the luxury Sani resort in Greece.
Sarah is based in the U.K. and her support is available worldwide via zoom consultations and within her membership, the Fertile Mindset® Sanctuary which has both free and paid levels of support.
Having experienced her own fertility challenges Sarah is now a mum to two boys through both birth and adoption.
In todays episode we cover:
- EFT; what it is and how it can support you on your fertility journey
- How EFT tapping works and why it works
- How you can use EFT tapping to make and stick to a decision
- Why EFT is a skill for life
and much more!
Connect with Sarah Holland
Begin your own Fertile Mindset® journey today by joining Sarah?s free membership in the Fertile Mindset ® Sanctuary here: www.fertilemindset.com/sanctuary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertile_mindset/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FertileMindset
Podcast: Fertile Mindset
Website: www.fertilemindset.com
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i.
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me at www.thestorkandi.com
In todays episode, I chat to Shani Silver.
Shani is a writer and the host of A Single Serving Podcast. Her work focuses on changing the negative narratives around being single in an effort to improve the way single life is experienced. Shani's work helps singles reframe the limiting, shame-filled societal messages around singlehood and reframe them to hold more truth and authenticity. On October 26th, 2021 Shani is releasing her first book, A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match. Light one.
In todays chat we cover:
- The narrative around single women as compared to that of single men
- How reframing can help us to enjoy singlehood a lot more
- The importance of language when discussing singlehood
- Why we don't have to find a partner for our life to start - Coming to the realisation we don't have to have a baby, if we don't want to have a baby - How spending time with babies can help you decide if you want to be a parent - Challenging the assumption that we are all supposed to get married and have children - The importance of making conscious decisions, whatever they may beand much, much more.....
You can purchase A Single Revolution , Shani's new book from Amazon from 26th October 2021
Connect with Shani Silver:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shanisilver
Medium: https://shanisilver.medium.com/
Podcast: A Single Serving
Book: A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match. Light one.
Website: https://www.shanisilver.com/
Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i.
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me at www.thestorkandi.com
In todays episode I chat to Emma Haslam from @yourIVFabroad
Emma is an expert in fertility treatment abroad and after her own journey with treatment abroad she set up Your IVF abroad, to help others by making fertility treatment more affordable, accessible and supported and to give people who she was missing. Emma helps people to find a clinic that matches their needs and wants and supports them through treatment, she also offers donor conception information sessions so you can make informed decisions. Aiming to change the narrative Emma has become an advocate, speaker, campaigner and writer for the infertility community and on donor conception. In todays chat we cover: - How to manage being told you need to lose weight before starting your fertility journey - Some of the key reasons people choose to get treatment abroad - Where to start if you're considering treatment abroad - How long you need to spend abroad if you're having your treatment in a clinic in a different country - The impact of Covid on getting treatment abroad - Where you can get more information and connect with others getting treatment abroad ...and much more! Emma has a free Facebook community where she and peers offer support to those curious about, planning or having IVF abroad. It's a closed community that will not show up in your news feed or profile and you can choose to post anonymously. To check out the support group, have a listen to her podcasts, check out Emma's services and free resources - including a checklist to see if fertility treatment abroad is right for you please use the link below. www.linktr.ee/YourivfabroadThank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!
Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i.
About Mel Johnson
Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey.
I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood
Learn more about me at www.thestorkandi.com
In todays episode I speak to Ruth, a single mum who works in the charity sector. She has two young boys who she has raised solo since her eldest was six months old. Her first was conceived through marriage, and the second via donor conception.
Ruth has been writing about single parenting for over six years on her blog Ellamental Mama, trying to raise understanding of the realities faced by single parents - the good, bad and the ugly.
Her writing has been featured in The Guardian, The I Paper and The Metro, amongst others.
In 2020, Ruth set up the Single Parent Rights campaign to push for changes to UK law to address the ongoing discrimination of single parents after helping to lobby for the introduction of single parent support bubbles in the first UK lockdown.
In todays episode we discuss:
- The decision to have a second child using donor conception - Talking to your children about their conception - First hand experience of becoming a parent in a relationship and then becoming a parent outside of a relationship - Why its not always better to have a partner - Getting single parents included in the Equality Act - Examples of discrimination against single parents - How to get involved with Single Parent Rightsand much more!
You can see more of Ruth on Instagram on @ellamental_mama and @singleparentrightsIn todays episode I chat to Sophy.
Sophy is 36 and lives in South Oxfordshire with her 3 year old twins. She started the journey to solo motherhood at 31 after receiving the results of a fertility test she took.
Sophy got 2 eggs from her treatment, transferred them both and now has twin girls.
In this episode we cover:
- The decision to transfer 2 embryos
- Solo parenting twins
- Using an au pair to form part of your support network
- Freelancing as a solo parent
- Dating as a solo parent
and much, much more!
Update:
If you live in the UK, finding an au pair is much more challenging now that EU citizens cant get to the UK without a work VISA. Au pairing does not count as work but its also not a holiday, so its sadly got a lot more complicated.Welcome to episode 1 of the 4th series of The Stork and I Podcast
In this episode I chat to Occupational Therapist and Sex Educator, Sarah Sproule.
When Sarah was 11 she was afraid she was only growing one breast and didn?t know who to turn to for help. Now as mother of three teens, with two decades experience as a therapist and a masters in sexuality studies, Sarah uses her skills as an occupational therapist and sex educator to ensure every parent and caring adult knows how to build deeper connection with their growing kid(s). Because no child should ever feel alone and unable to reach out for help with their body, their boundaries or their knowledge about sexuality. ? and yes Sarah eventually grew two breasts roughly the same size. As solo parents, it is our responsibility to talk to our children about their conception and to ensure to the best of our ability that they understand and feel comfortable and confident discussing it. I talk to Sarah about getting some hints and tips on how to best have these conversations. In this episode we cover: - Why we have anxiety about talking about these topics with our children - Why our reactions to our kids questions are so important - Why starting talking to our children from birth can be a benefit - Why it is important to use the correct anatomical words - Seed vs sperm which language to use - How to have conversations about conception with our children and much much more. You can find out more information from Sarah's instagram account: www.instagram.com/iamsarahsproule/ Her YouTube Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/sarahsproule She also holds a free mini series www.sarahsproule.com/explain
The wait is finally over. The Stork and I Podcast for those considering solo parenthood is back!
Series 4 of the podcast is launching on 1st September 2021.
Subscribe now so you don't miss out!
In todays episode I chat to Joscelyn Webb, solo mum to a nearly 4 year old son. Joscelyn lives in Hong Kong and travelled to the UK for treatment using a known donor.
In this episode we cover:
- Making the decision to start trying to conceive following fertility test results
- Deciding on using a known donor
- Contacting potential known donors to ask if they would be interested in being a donor
- Grieving for the path to parenthood we presumed we would follow
- The benefits of parenting solo
- Flying back to the UK for treatment
- Male role models
- The discussions and agreements made with a known donor before trying to conceive
- Being aware that things might change and being open to that
- Talking to our children about their conception
and much more...
In todays episode I chat to Natalie.
Natalie is an avid traveller and a solo mum to 2.5 year old Tiger. She chats to me about using her maternity leave to spend time travelling with her daughter.
In this episode we discuss:
- Meeting someone in our lives who inspires us to travel - Becoming a solo mother when you have a boyfriend - Egg freezing and being an egg donor - Getting treatment abroad - Experiencing numerous treatment cycles - Navigating solo motherhood with a partner - Preparation and logistics for travel during maternity and the things to consider and plan for - Maximising annual leave for travel when you're back at work - The differences travelling with a baby and a toddler and much much more!
To find out more about Natalie and Tigers travel adventures you can read her blog at www.tigerontour.com
In todays episode, I chat to Harriet, a solo mum to twin boys. Harriet conceived whilst living in New York, but when she found out she was having twins decided to move back to the UK, to get the support of her family.
In this episode we cover:
- The impact of living abroad on meeting a partner
- The considerations when deciding to transfer 2 embryos
- The benefits of living with parents
- The realities of being a solo mum to twins
- The experience of being pregnant with twins
- Juggling work with motherhood and managing the different pulls on our time
- Asking for and accepting help
- Dating as a solo mum with kids
and much more
Harriet is a member of The Stork and I Mum Tribe Facebook Group and can be contacted there if you'd like to connect with her.
The first episode of series 3 is all about Egg Freezing as a way of Fertility Preservation. In this episode I chat to Amy Hart, best known for Love Island and Celebs Go Dating and as she says in our interview, who is famously single.
Amy has shared openly her desire to start a family in the future and her decision to freeze her eggs to give her time to meet someone, or to embark on solo motherhood if that doesn't happen for her.
In this episode we discussed:
- Why it's frustrating when people tell you, you have plenty of time
- Why Amy decided to freeze her eggs
- Why Amy wants to use her platform to raise awareness on this topic
- Amy's experience of the egg freezing process
- The 10 year egg storage limit and the implications if you want to freeze your eggs in your 20s
- Considerations on whether to freeze embryos
- Amy's thoughts about becoming a solo mum in the future and the support from her family
- I also ask Amy what she thought about the comment made on her appearance on Loose Women that no-one in their right mind would embark on solo motherhood.
...and much more
For anyone considering freezing their eggs, this is a great listen to help get a greater insight into the process.
The trailer for series 3 of the Stork and I Podcast.
This series is a collection of stories covering a variety of different paths to parenthood and solo motherhood stories.
In the last episode of Series 2 I chat to Dating Coach Hayley Quinn.
Hayley is an internationally recognised dating coach and founder of the UK?s largest dating coaching company. She has over 2 Million views on her TED talk and over 100,000 YouTube subscribers. She is the spokesperson for Match, the biggest online dating platform in the world. She has been featured on BBC1, Sky and Channel 4 and is a regular columnist for Cosmopolitan. Her goal is to bridge the gap with modern dating and help inspire people to learn to love dating. In this episode we discuss: - Why it is wise to have a dating strategy - Why time pressure can negatively impact our decision making - How we can try to find the process of dating fun and enjoyable - How we can take control of our dating lives - The benefits of approaching dating with a completely different mindset - Tips of how to let go of the outcome of dating - Why going more slowly can sometimes help you reach your ultimate goal faster - How long it might take to really get to know if someone will make a suitable partner for you - The experience of dating as a solo mum You can find more from Hayley at: Instagram @hayleyquinnx Facebook @Hayley Quinn YouTube @Hayley Quinn