The Stork and I (thestorkandi)

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 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/Yourivfabroad    

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 David Watkins AKA @the_dadness. David is a solo dad by choice to his son Miles who he conceived using an egg donor and a surrogate. I was really excited to chat to him to hear his perspective of embarking on the journey to solo parenthood as a single man.     In this episode we cover:    - The experience of seeing other people with their children and the feelings that brings about - Exploring adoption as a single man - Considering co-parenting with a friend and the complications surrounding that decision - What wanting to be a dad really means - How the surrogacy process works in the UK - The barriers to becoming a solo dad by choice - Choosing an egg donor - The experience of parenting solo  - Why it can be challenging to admit parenting is tough when you have gone through such a process to get there - Why David created Dad. Be to support other men in similar situations   and much more!   You can connect with David on his Instagram account @the_dadness  

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 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    

 

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 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 Rights

and much more!

You can see more of Ruth on Instagram on @ellamental_mama and @singleparentrights

In todays episode I chat to Becky Kearns AKA @definingmum   Becky has 3 gorgeous girls with her husband, who she conceived using donor eggs in the Czech Republic.    In this episode we discuss:    - Feelings of loneliness when on the donor conception journey - Why Becky started her blog Defining Mum - Societal expectations of parenthood - What shapes a person over and above genetics - The pros and cons of having a partner when you're going through this process - Connecting with others in the same situation - Our fears about this route to parenthood and the importance of sharing them in safe spaces - Deciding to move from your own eggs to donor eggs - What we mean by plan B - Worries about what people think of our decisions - Deciding to have treatment abroad - The creation of Paths to Parenthub    For more information you can follow Becky on Instagram at:   @definingmum @pathstoparenthub   Or on her website:  Defining Mum Paths to Parenthub    

In Episode 3 I speak to Natasza AKA @me_becomes_we. Natasza is a solo mum by choice to a toddler and is currently trying for baby number 2.    Natasza had a 5 year fertility journey where she experienced recurrent loss. In this episode we do not cover the details of that element of her experiences as we focus on the subject of making the initial decision to start the journey.    In this episode we cover:  - The power of the Solo Mum Community - We talk about Natasza's journey which involves recurrent loss and how she dealt with that with the support of her friends and family - Egg freezing vs solo motherhood - Investigating options for solo motherhood - Dating challenges and assessing whether our internet date would make a good dad after meeting them for 30 seconds! - Feeling empowered by removing the time pressure - Throwing a 'Who's The Daddy' party - Getting the grandparents on board - Hopes for the future and trying for baby number 2   You can follow Natasza's journey on Instagram at @me_becomes_we   She has also written more about her experience of dealing with recurrent loss here. 

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 speak to Jenny Nash, solo mum to Dottie and the Founder of Solo Mothers By Choice UK Facebook Group.    In this episode we cover:    - Telling our grandparents about our decision - Fertility education at school - The advantages of freezing eggs in your 20s - The importance of getting good sleep and what help is available - The experiences of having 3 generations in one house - The importance of having a solo mum support network - Finding donor siblings - The experience of deciding to try for a sibling - Advice for people at the beginning of the journey   and much more!   You can follow Jenny on Instagram @dottie_about_you You can find Solo Mothers By Choice UK on Facebook   You can also join The Stork and I Mum Tribe Facebook Group if you haven't already. 

This weeks episode is with Alice Rose, The Fertility Mindset Mentor.    Alice went through 11 rounds of fertility treatment before conceiving her daughter and as a result of her own personal journey, decided to start supporting others going through similar experiences.    In this episode we discuss:    - Alice's personal journey and what led her to set up the support she now offers  - How all consuming a fertility journey can be - Dealing with overwhelm  - Tips for coping with the journey - Why it is important to have trusted sources of information  - The difference between informed thoughts and opinions - How meditation and mindfulness can help support us on this journey - Dealing with comparison - The power of the community - How Alice now supports others on their own journey   For more information on Alice and the support she gives you can find her at:    - Instagram - The Life Raft Membership - This Is Alice Rose Website  

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 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. 

 

The trailer for The Stork and I Podcast for single women considering solo motherhood

In todays podcast I chat to solo mum, freelancer and author Kate Sawyer.  Kate has an 18 month old daughter and has just had her first book, The Stranding, published. We discuss how Kate has made freelancing work for her, as a solo mum.    In todays episode we cover:    - Making sacrifices in order to save money for becoming a solo mum - Writing a book during pregnancy - Being creative with finances to save as much money as possible - Moving out of London to be closer to family - The importance of having a good support system in place - Getting treatment in Denmark - Top tips for making freelance work for you when pursuing solo motherhood   ....and much more!   You can follow Kate on Instagram at @mskatesawyer and you can get her book from Amazon and many other book shops. 

In this episode I chat to Louisa Pateman, author of Single Again and Again and Again, this month's very first Stork and I Book Club book.    Louisa is a solo mum to a 10 year old and has documented her story in this amazing book which I couldn't put down and highly recommend.     In this episode we cover:     - How we keep adjusting our plans from how we originally thought our life would play out - The baby calculator  - Why we can't use the same approach in our lives to dating as we do with every other aspect of our lives - Our views on whether living abroad impacts our chances of meeting a partner - Why Louisa coined the term SWC35+ and what it means! - Why some men view solo motherhood very positively - Our experiences of internet dating and why there is sometimes a temptation to lower our standards - Understanding our entrenched beliefs - Why we sometimes make poor relationship choices because we want a baby - Is it fair bringing a child into the universe knowing it only has one parent - Experiencing labour solo  - Talking to our children about donor conception - The importance of changing the narrative around being single and much more...!   You can find Louisa's book Single Again and Again and Again on Amazon and I highly recommend giving it a read.

In episode 7 of the podcast I meet Molly Hawkey.    Molly is an American actress and comedian. She is also the creator of the podcast Spermcast, documenting her search for a sperm donor in order to have a baby solo.    In this episode we discuss:  - An overview of Mollys own fertility journey to date  - Why Molly started her podcast and how it has helped her - The difficulties of dating when you want a baby - The benefits of talking about your situation with friends and family (or in Mollys case an entire podcast population!) - How our reality is not well represented in films - Whether we are realistic about what we are looking for, or if it is a bit of a fantasy - Being supported by friends and family on the trying to conceive journey - Being happy and hopeful about the situation, whilst still dreaming about the fantasy version - How each decision seems harder in the moment   and much more!   Molly actually has some super exciting news that she is 7 weeks pregnant following her latest fertility treatment. (This episode was recorded quite a few weeks ago, so we don't discuss this)  You can hear about this latest news as well as her entire journey leading up to this point on Spermcast. Head over and check it out (once you've listened to this episode obviously!!)    I have also been a guest on Spermcast, so if you haven't had a listen, the episode is called Molly, Mel and The Stork and I.   You can follow Molly on Instagram 

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 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 parenthood

And 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 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.  

 

 

In this episode, I talk to Annemette Arndal-Lauritzen, the CEO of the European Sperm Bank. Annemette has been in the company since 2013. She has a background in the healthcare sector and her main interests revolve around how women and sperm donors experience their contact with the sperm bank, and how to continuously improve this relationship.

We had a really interesting discussion about the process for both the donor and the recipient, as well as the values of the Sperm Bank and their ideas about how they see their responsibility in this process, which was really reassuring to hear. 

 

In this episode we cover: 

 

- The recruitment of donors

- The process the donors go through

- The selection and profile of donors 

- The process of ordering sperm

-  Advice on how to choose a donor

- Insights into finding donor siblings

- Discussion around finding the balance between the rights and needs of the donor, the recipient and the donor conceived child

- The values of the European Sperm Bank

 

For more information on the European Sperm bank you can follow them on Instagram/Facebook or see their website. 

In this episode of the podcast I speak to Professor Susan Golombok.    Susan Golombok is Professor of Family Research, Director of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge.    Her research examines the impact of new family forms on parenting and child development, specifically lesbian mother families, gay father families, single mothers by choice and families created by assisted reproductive technologies including in vitro fertilisation (IVF), donor insemination, egg donation and surrogacy.    Her research has not only challenged commonly held assumptions about these families but also has contested widely held theories of child development by demonstrating that structural aspects of the family, such as the number, gender, sexual orientation, and genetic relatedness of parents, is less important for children’s psychological wellbeing than the quality of family relationships.   In this episode we discuss:    - How Professor Golombok got into researching different family structures and the impact they have on child development - Why the family structure is less important than the quality of family relationships - The importance of being open with our children about their conception - Why it can be useful to start sharing our childrens conception story from birth and the importance of having ongoing communication on it - The age children really seem to start to understand donor conception  - How the research findings can help challenge assumptions from society  - An insight into the research carried out with single mothers by choice - Whether having male role models is really important to a child growing up without a father in their life - The subject of donor siblings and how donor conceived children have reported    You can find her book We are Family here.  You can also find information about an event she is involved with at the Cambridge Festival:

 

 

 

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/    

 

Todays episode is with 38 year old solo parent Amelie Patrux Eddy.  She is based in the French countryside on the outskirts of Paris but by the time this episode has aired with have moved to the Brittany region.   Amelie grew up in France, was raised by an (almost solo) South African mom and has lived many years in Australia before landing again recently in the suburbs of Paris (in the midst of a global pandemic you might have heard of!)   This melting pot of cultures gave her a profound love and curiosity for the diversity in people’s ideas, cultures, lives and opinions that make each one of us so unique and interesting.   She is a solo mom 'mostly' by choice to Elijah (Eli) , her now 22 months old toddler. Eli was conceived in Sydney through a clinic, after a breakup with her ex-partner and born in France in her family home surrounded by her mom and sister. As a doula @feeling she has supported many solo moms, before having her son.    She recently created an online program naissanceholistique in France to help couples and solo moms prepare for birth. Being solo-mom-inclusive was absolutely a priority for her.   In June 2021, after a two-year debate in parliament, France has finally legalized fertility treatments including IVF for lesbians and single women – making the procedures free for them, just as they are for qualified heterosexual couples. Before that, French women were travelling everywhere in Europe to access fertility treatments.    She also created a small project called @nuancesdefamilles where she showcasts that there are many nuances to being a family but that LOVE is what makes a family. She created it to connect to like-minded families and offer different family models to children.   In todays episode we discuss:    - The option of living with family - The benefits of parenting solo - The importance of support network - Redefining family - Making the decision to pivot your career for a period of time - The realities of solo parenting and the importance of sleep.    You can follow Amelie 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the final episode of series 1 of the podcast. And I've saved a great episode for last!

Basically I managed to persuade Granny Bev to record with me. She was not in her comfort zone at all. But she agreed to do it anyway! 

 

In this episode we discuss: 

- Whether living abroad has hindered my efforts to meet someone

- The fear of never becoming a grandparent

- The fact that my mum was worried about whether I would be able to cope!

- Opinions of why I've not met a partner and whether she thinks I am too choosey!

- How dating has changed from the past and how our expectations of relationships have changed

- The experience of attending antenatal classes and being my birthing partner

- The support my mum gives me on a weekly basis and how challenging it can be

- Why Granny Bev isn't remotely interested in dating!

 

and much more!

 

I hope you enjoy and it gives you a slightly different perspective on things. And what a good sport she is for agreeing to be a guest! 

You can follow Granny Bev on Instagram where she occasionally posts pics of her and Daisy. 

 

 

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. 

 

 

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. 

 

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 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. 

 

Episode 2 is with Rosie Tadman (DipCNM, BANT and CNHC Reg) a Fertility Nutritional Therapist who studied at the prestigious College of Natural Medicine in London.   Rosie specialises in Fertility, Female Hormones, Pregnancy and Postpartum Support.   Rosie uses Modern Science and Traditional Wisdom to get women in hormonal flow and support conception. She supports underlying causes, rather than just suppressing symptoms.  

Rosie works with women who;

• are thinking about getting pregnant and want to ensure they are as healthy as possible

• are actively trying to get pregnant, through both natural and assisted routes (IVF, ICSI, IUI)

• have a hormonal condition (PCOS, Endometriosis, Fibroids, Period issues)

• are pregnant and would like nutrition advice to support them to thrive through pregnancy 

• would like postpartum support (whether this is 6 weeks after their baby is born or 6-years )

In this episode we discuss:  

• AMH and Rosies view on whether this is flawed as a measure
• How a Fertility Nutritional Therapist can support you on your fertility journey
• Egg quality and whether it can be improved
• An idea of which supplements to take
• How to track your cycle
• Top tips for preparing your body before fertility treatment
• Whether you should give up or cut down on alcohol (this was recorded before I decided to stop drinking!)
• The research on smoking and the impact to egg quality
• Rosies online fertility nutrition course

  If you'd like to hear more from Rosie you can find her at:   

www.rosielife.org

www.instagram.com/rosielifenutrition

www.facebook.com/rosielifeUK

rosielifeuk@hotmail.com 

In this episode I chat to Professor Joyce Harper, Professor of Reproductive Science at the Institute for Women’s Health, University College London. She is also Director of Education at the IfWH, Director of the Centre for Human Reproduction, co-founder of the UK Fertility Education Initiative and Founder of the International Fertility Education Initiative.    I met Joyce at the Fertility Fest last year and have been a fan of her work ever since. She has worked in the fields of fertility, genetics, reproductive health and women’s health for over 30 years and shares so many interesting facts in this episode.    In this episode we discuss:  - Joyce's personal fertility journey to have her children - Fertility Education and the book Joyce is currently writing about The Fertile Years - The UK Fertility Education Initiative and getting fertility on the UK national curriculum  - The fact that we can no longer accurately use the term 2.4 children due to the change in the current statistics - Egg freezing, the legislation surrounding it and why you might want to consider embryo freezing as an alternative - Why you might not want to wait for the right man to come along after age 35 if you definitely want children - The 9 point fertility education poster being shared worldwide - The importance of understanding our menstrual cycle - Why women in the media getting pregnant in their late 40s and 50s can be quite misleading - The research that has been carried out on solo motherhood and how to share donor conception with donor conceived children   And lot's more!   I don't want the details shared to scare anyone, but feel it is important to get these fertility facts out there. If anyone feels anxious about what they have heard, please feel free to reach out to me.    You can find out more about Joyce and her work on her website.  You can also follow her on Instagram and Twitter   Be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast player to ensure you don't miss an episode!  

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 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In episode 8 I chat to pregnant solo mum to be Emmie, an educator and business woman, seeking to reimagine Black British solo motherhood.    Emmie kindly helped me out when I was doing some work to ensure that my coaching was inclusive for black solo mums and after chatting to her, I asked if she'd be a guest on the podcast to share her story and I was delighted when she agreed!    In this episode we cover:    - The support you can get from solo mum groups and being a 'lurker' in the group! - Realising that IVF is not a guarantee to having a baby - Being pregnant in a pandemic - How Emmies hairdresser played a part in her decision to take this route to motherhood! - Letting go of your original plan for your route to motherhood - Getting a fertility MOT - The lack of fertility education and conversations with our friends about fertility - The nuances of embarking on solo motherhood as a black women - The negative perception of single mums by the media - How the support of our parents can make the process much easier - How our grandparents can surprise us with their reactions to us becoming a solo mums   and lot's more!    You can follow Emmie on Instagram at @black_solo_motherhood

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. 

 

 

In episode 1 of The Stork and I Podcast, I chat to The Dating Guru James Preece.    James has been working in the dating industry for over a decade and is responsible for thousands of single people finding love.  He coaches both men and women, so can share both the male and female perspective. He is a well connected dating influencer who has worked with many dating apps and online dating sites to help their members have a better user experience. James hosts his own podcast called The Love Machine. Each week he explores fun ways to bring love into your life. 

James has written several best selling dating books and relationship guides, many of which have gone on to become Amazon bestsellers.

So why am I chatting to James on a podcast about becoming a solo mum I hear you ask? 2 main reasons: Firstly, about 95% of my coaching clients share with me that they are trying to decide between continuing to date or starting the journey of solo motherhood.   For those who have decided to continue to date for now, I want to provide support with the best strategies to take action and to be successful at this.  Secondly, a top fear of women who choose solo motherhood is that it will mean they remain single forever more. I explore this idea with James to try to put our minds at rest that this is simply not the case.    For more information about James and the coaching and support he offers, you can check out his website at www.jamespreece.com and follow him on Instagram @jamespreececoach

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 today's episode I speak to Emma, 25, from Denmark who is donor conceived.  Emma was born using an anonymous donor. She has a mum and a dad and 2 sisters.  She started a blog 3 years ago where she shares her thoughts and experiences on being donor conceived.   In this episode we cover:   - The importance of how our children's conception story is shared with them - Why Emma decided to start @donorchild Instagram account - Why it can be helpful for our children to hear their conception story from birth - How being donor conceived can make you feel  - Having siblings who are not donor conceived when you are - The importance of honesty from the very beginning - Why Emma hasn't had an interest in finding more out about her donor or any potential half siblings - A different perspective on using an anonymous donor - Donor siblings and when and if to try to find them - Advice for those considering solo motherhood   You can find her at:   Instagram: @donorchild Blog: https://donorchildemmagroenbaek.com/ Book: Donor Child: A Child of Love            

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 be

and 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

Welcome to The Stork and I Podcast. This is a podcast aimed at single women considering solo motherhood. 

In this first episode I meet the lovely Jocelyn AKA @motheringsolo

We chat donor conception with double donation, dating when you want a baby, fertility MOTs and making the decision to start the journey to solo motherhood. 

You can follow Jocelyn's story on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/motheringsolo/

If you like this episode, please rate and review keep your eyes peeled for the next one, out every Wednesday. 

 

 

In this episode I chat to Raelene Rorke. Entrepreneur, founder of Indica, mother of 3 girls and married to my friend Nate. Nate and Rae are my real life relationship goals couple.    In this episode we talk about:    - The key to making a relationship work and overcoming struggles - Making family life work and how to find the right flow and rhythm  - Exploring some of the challenges of parenting in a partnership - How marriage does not automatically equal fairytale, but rather how we each create our own fairytale - How having a variety of male role models in our childs life can be so beneficial - How our values and foundations have much more influence on our parenting style than the colour of our skin or where we grew up - Having challenging Black Lives Matter conversations - Creating and living our best lives, however that looks for us right now - How much we can benefit from spending time with individuals in different relationship circumstances and the importance of not deselecting to hang out with couples and their families   and much more!   You can follow Raelene on Instagram and you can check out Indica here.   

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. 

 

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!

In this weeks episode I chat to Lorraine who is a doula otherwise known as Mama2Mama.    Lorraine offers faces to face support in and around Leeds and Manchester and remote support across the UK. After training with Nurturing Birth, Lorraine has cared for a diverse number of clients with compassion and a tenacity to improve the birthing experience for all. She has experience supporting solo mums at all stages of their journey.    In this episode we talk about:    - What a doula is - How a doula could support you across your entire solo motherhood journey - What you should look for in a birth partner - How being a Doula worked during Covid and what elements can be remote* - Why it can be beneficial to have no birthing partner if that is your preference - Why it's important to offer space to talk about your birth experience - The concept of a post partum PJ party - Where you can find more out about doula services available   You can find Lorraine at:  Mama2mama Website Instagram   * This podcast was recorded when there were certain restrictions in place due to Covid, these may be different now

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  

In episode 4 I meet Claire. Solo mum of gorgeous 1 year old Ruby. 

Claire and I met at a solo mum meet up and became friends. We spent last Valentines Day together with our kids and some other solo mum friends (in the same pub Max George from The Wanted but that's another story!) We spent most Wednesday evenings together via Zoom during lock down on The Stork and I Solo Mum Calls. I love Claires banter so I knew she'd be a great guest on the podcast. She loves to tell it as it is! 

 

In this episode we discuss: 

- Deciding between IUI and IVF

- The pressure of dating when you want a baby 

- Sharing the journey with family

- Planning for every eventuality

- Building a support network including overnight sleep support throughout the first 4 months

- An honest account of the elements Claire has found challenging being a solo mum 

- Finding a night a month to go out for a bit of a blow out

- Creative dates to fit in with childcare

- Fertility tests and their role in helping to make a decision to start the journey to solo motherhood

- Our views on whether we would have found parenting with a partner any easier than parenting solo

 

You can follow Claire on Instagram @clairesofield

I hope you enjoy the episode. Mel xx

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...

 

 

 

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 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 today's episode I chat to Sarah Camlett, solo mum to 2 children. A 2 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. Sarah has a successful career in film and TV that has taken her all around the world and I was really interested to chat to her about how she manages to balance family life and career.    In today's episode we cover:    - Doing the maths on whether there is really time to meet someone to have a baby with - Preferences when choosing a sperm donor - Watching the IUI procedure happening on the screen and the amazingness of science! - Telling people you're pregnant when they had no clue you were trying to have a baby (and enjoying their surprise!) - How active we were able to remain during pregnancy - Who to have as a birth partner and the benefits of having a doula - How to make your job work whilst solo parenting - How being a parent makes you more productive - The decision to have a 2nd child - The reality of solo parenting 2 children - and much more  

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: Jana@janarupnow.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!

 

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 this episode I talk to Dr Matt Prior. Matt is an NHS consultant doctor working at Newcastle Fertility Centre and also Medical Director at Dr Fertility.     Dr Prior specialises in reproductive medicine and surgery. He helps people with fertility problems using a holistic approach.    In this episode we discuss:    - How to better understand your fertility - When to go to your GP and how they can help you - An explanation of AMH  - Considerations when choosing a fertility clinic - The difference between IUI and IVF - The rough cost of fertility treatment  - Where to go for independent advice   In the episode we mention the HFEA, which is a UK based organisation. If you are listening from outside the UK, you can check if there is an equivalent independent body in your country.    If you'd like a consultation with Dr Prior you can contact him at @drfertility   For more of Matt's insights you can follow him on Instagram at:  @drmattprior @bigfertilityproject

 

 

My guest today is Zoe Desmond, the founder of the single parent networking app, Frolo.    Zoe became a single parent a few years ago when her son Billy was one. She wanted to connect with other single parents, but didn't know how to find them so she decided to start Frolo to connect single parents to one another and create a supportive community.    Frolo is the first community app of its kind for single parents, regardless of how they came to be parenting solo. The emphasis is on finding human connections. Using the app makes it easy to discover and connect with likeminded single parents for friendship and meetups, as well as providing access to a wider community of single parents for support, guidance, advice and virtual meetups.    Zoe is passionate about changing the stereotypes and assumptions about what it means to be a single parent.    In this episode we chat about:    - What inspired Zoe to start Frolo - Where the name Frolo came from - How the app has helped Zoe personally meet other single parents that have now formed part of her closest friendship group - Dealing with loneliness, especially at the weekends, when it seems like everyone else is with their family - How we can redefine the classic relationship model - How we can be happier with having an amazing friendship group and support network around us than just having one partner we rely on for everything - How parenting solo can help you build stronger connections with those around you - How to navigate the Frolo App and much more!   For more information, follow @frolo on Instagram

In this episode I speak to Nicola Slawson. A freelance journalist who writes a newsletter, The Single Supplement, changing the narrative around being single.  Nicola is 35 and happily single. She is considering solo motherhood as a possible option for the future.    In this episode we talk about:   - Why the pandemic made some of us feel more single than ever - How Nicola set up her newsletter The Single Supplement to change the narrative around single people - The advantages of pausing dating to focus on self work - Realising we might be commitment phobes! - Juggling work and dating - The preference for meeting people in real life as opposed to internet dating - Feeling empowered that solo motherhood is a real option available to us - Feeling inspired about this route to motherhood based on reading others inspiring stories   You can follow Nicola at: Instagram: @thesinglesupplement Newletter:  https://thesinglesupplement.substack.com/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesinglesupplement/

Series 2 of The Stork and I Podcast is finally here. 

This series is about the process to become a solo mum. 

1st episode of the 2nd series launches on 5th January. 

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. 

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 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.

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 this episode I speak to solo parent Holly. 

 

We cover: 

- Choosing a sperm donor

- Finding donor siblings

- Deciding whether to try for a sibling

- The experience of being a solo parent and sharing some of the trickiest parts

- Experiencing post natal anxiety

- Our desire for constant cleaning to feel more in control

- The mental load of a solo parent

- Feeling lonely in the early days of solo parenting

- Asking for help and the sort of help that can be useful

- The benefits of finding your people

 

and much more....

 

You can follow Holly 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 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 2, I meet Genevieve Roberts, solo mum of 2 and author of 'Going Solo: My Choice to Become a Single Mother Using a Donor'   I met Genevieve at The Fertility Show in 2019 where I heard her read an extract from her book and it gave me goosebumps as I heard her speak. So much of what she said resonated with me and my own experiences.    Gen regularly shares her experiences and views on solo motherhood through her work as a journalist, writing for a variety of publications.   In this episode we cover:    - Fertility tests as a trigger to make the decision to go solo  - Dating and flirtations whilst wanting a baby - The concept of not settling - Being proud of your decision - The amazing reactions from friends and family - Challenging the traditional family set up  - Hopes and practicalities of meeting a partner in the future   I highly recommend Going Solo for anyone who is considering solo motherhood. It's a great mix of Genevieve's personal experience and interviews on the subject with a number of experts. 

In today's episode of the podcast I chat to George Agan. George is a Chartered Financial Planner. He runs Principles Personal Finance which is a financial education site. He also has his own YouTube channel.    I often get questions about finances from people who contact me and I didn't used to feel properly equipped to answer in depth enough, and this episode helps to provide some further clarity.     In todays episode we covered:    - The cost estimate of having children - How to bring clarity to your own financial situation - Adopting a renting methodology to save money (and the environment) - What amount of savings you might need to feel secure - What levers you have available to help manage your budget - How you can get creative to help your budget - Why planning is everything - How to plan for the worst case scenario  - The importance of Power of Attorney and having a will - The 3 golden rules of personal finance   RISK WARNING  The views stated in this discussion are for informational and education purposes and should not be viewed as advice. The information provided in this presentation has been compiled from sources believed to be reliable and current, but accuracy should be placed in the context of the underlying assumptions. Any views stated are individual.   All content is being provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be investment or tax advice. No financial or investment decisions should be made solely based on the information in any podcast, blog or video.   Some of the useful links we covered in the podcast are below:      General Support and Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/   Benefit Entitlement Contacts https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators https://www.entitledto.co.uk/ https://www.turn2us.org.uk/   Charities for Housing Concerns https://www.shelter.org.uk/   Charities for Debt Management https://www.stepchange.org/ https://capuk.org/   List of some benefits single parents should be aware of https://www.singleparents.org.uk/information/benefits/financial-support-for-single-parents https://www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/child-benefit/ https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/tax-credit-child-working-overpayment/   Study referred to in the conversation https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/policypost/CostofaChild2020_web.pdf

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      

 

In todays episode I chat to Julie Seal @the_chronicoptimist, solo mum to her daughter Betsy.    Julie contracted Lyme disease following a mosquito bite whilst in Greece and we discuss the impact of that, on her solo motherhood journey.    In this episode we cover:   - Dating when wanting a baby - Wanting to transfer 2 embryos, but being told no - Managing the two week wait - Having your mum as your birth partner - How covid has helped with flexibility of where to live and enabled us to move closer to family - How our egos sometimes stand in our way - Approaching motherhood with a chronic illness - Choosing a sperm donor - The importance of mindset   and much more!   You can follow Julie on Instagram @the_chronicoptimist

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

 

In this episode I speak to children's entertainer and Red Wiggle, Caterina Meta about her journey to become a solo parent of twins. 

*trigger warning we do discuss miscarriage in this episode

For over three decades, The Wiggles, the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group have educated, entertained, and enriched the lives of millions of pre-schoolers (and their parents) all over the globe. Today, generations of fans that grew up watching The Wiggles are sharing their love of them with their own children. Having sold over 30 million albums and DVDs and 8 million books globally, as well as accumulating over 2 billion music streams and 3 billion views on YouTube, The Wiggles continue to dominate the preschool entertainment scene. Their live shows annually sell out to audiences on three separate continents, and their videos are seen in over 190 countries around the world.

The Wiggles recently launched a new educational series on YouTube called Wiggle and Learn. This pioneering series explores crucial early childhood themes including language development, basic maths, social skills, and health and world understanding, offering a comprehensive and engaging educational experience for young learners. A new episode lands every Friday and includes Caterina talking about her pregnancy to children.

 

I first came across Caterina when I saw her lovely pregnancy announcement and the clear communication that she had used a donor to conceive in a message for her pre school audience. 

 

In this episode we discuss:  - Caterina's fertility journey

- Finding out you are having twins

- How sharing your journey when you're in the public eye, can inspire others who may not have known about this path to parenthood

- How society paints happily ever after as meeting a partner, getting married and having children together

- How children react and don't judge when we share different journeys to parenthood

- The importance and options around support network

- Balancing career and being a solo parent

and MUCH MUCH more! 

 

We were joined by Caterina's gorgeous dog for some of the interview, who also wanted their voice heard!! 

 

You can follow Caterina on Instagram here

 

For more information in solo parenthood head to www.thestorkandi.com