Disclosing to our children the truth about their conception story is now (thankfully) seen as practice within our communities - however, deciding who else to tell, whether other family members, friends or even our children’s school teacher or caregiver can be a more complex choice.

In this episode Becky and Hayley talk about their own personal experiences of talking to others about how they built their families. The decision of who else to tell (and when) and how these conversations can differ depending on your family make up. During this episode Becky and Hayley’s offer some helpful tips and direct to resources that can help families navigate this topic with more confidence and support.

Links

Links mentioned in the episode are:

Friends and Family/Supporting Your Loved One FREE resource

https://pathstoparenthub.com/friends-and-family-resource-sign-up/

Donor Conception: Connecting Through Conversations London Event Tickets

https://pathstoparenthub.com/friends-and-family-resource-sign-up/

Paths to Parenthub Membership details:

https://pathstoparenthub.com

Paths to Parenthub LGBTQ+ Membership details:

https://pathstoparenthub.com/lgbtq-paths-to-parenthub/

Paths to Parenthub Instagram

page: www.instagram.com/paths_to_parenthub

Hayley’s Instagram page: www.instagram.com/dcp_journey_2_rp

Becky’s Instagram pages: https://www.instagram.com/definingmum

In this episode, Hayley and Becky discuss a topic that is currently in the media due to the new Netflix Documentary, 'The Man with 1000 Kids'. This has raised questions and discussions about a number of donor siblings and the differences between worldwide family limits and UK family limits. Hayley, with personal experience dealing with donor sibling groups both as a DCP and RP, is extremely knowledgeable about current practices and what intended parents need to know. Knowledge is power, which is why we've recorded this episode to help you understand what questions to ask your clinic/bank, the implications of larger sibling numbers and to dispel some of the misconceptions that may be out there, particularly in the UK.

This is an important listen for anyone involved in donor conception - intended parents, recipient parents, and professionals - including those working in clinics/banks.

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode, Apricity Fertility - https://www.apricityfertility.com/uk

Join Paths to Parenthub:

Paths to Parenthub Membership details: https://pathstoparenthub.com

Paths to Parenthub LGBTQ+ Membership details: https://pathstoparenthub.com/lgbtq-paths-to-parenthub/

Follow us on Social Media:

Paths to Parenthub Instagram page: www.instagram.com/paths_to_parenthub

Hayley’s Instagram page: www.instagram.com/dcp_journey_2_rp

Becky’s Instagram pages: www.instagram.com/definingmum

Free resource mentioned in this episode: Top Questions to Ask Your Clinic/Bank - https://pathstoparenthub.com/top-questions-to-ask-about-donors/

Donor Siblings: Connect with Confidence

https://pathstoparenthub.com/donor-sibling-course/

In this episode, Becky and Hayley dive into the topic of ‘Attachment and Bonding’, a complex subject that many parents of donor-conceived children are understandably concerned about. Questions such as ‘Will I bond with my child born through egg donation?’ or ‘How will I feel about my baby if we don’t share genetics?’ are all addressed in a compassionate and validating way, whilst also offering some practical advice around how to overcome these feelings. Becky and Hayley draw on their own lived experience as parents through donor conception to offer comfort to the listener, whilst simultaneously looking to the research on this fascinating topic to find some answers regarding this commonly held fear.

Have a listen to the Top Questions To Ask About Donors Episode here

Links of note that are mentioned during the episode:

Paths to Parenthub Membership details

Paths to Parenthub LGBTQ+ Membership details

Hayley’s Instagram page

Becky’s Instagram pages:

@definingmum

@paths_to_parenthub

Research mentioned in the episode:

Golombok, S (2011) Children conceived by gamete donation: Psychological adjustment and mother-child relationships at age 7.