The Stork and I – Details, episodes & analysis

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

 

 

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 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first episode of Series 6 I chat to Alisha Burns AKA @Noneedforprincecharming

Alisha is the host of the No Need For Prince Charming Podcast where she interviews Australian Solo Mums about their journey to parenthood. 

For a change, she was the one being interviewed and I found out all about her own story, when she started thinking about solo parenthood, her journey to get there as well as her experiences as a parent. 

We also discussed the children's book she has written. My Perfect Family. She very generously sent me a copy and I can honestly say it's one of the best books on family diversity that I've seen.

You can get 15% off using code STORK15 

You can follow Alisha on Instagram at @noneedforprincecharming

 

Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!

 

About Mel Johnson

Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey. 

 

I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood

 

Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at The Stork and I Website

 

Newsletter

I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for here

 

Instagram:

Join our Instagram community for more support

 

Thriving Solo:

You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums to get access to our members only Podcast as well as loads of materials and resources and a monthly remote Community Connection Call to meet other Solo Parents. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In todays episode, the last in series 10, I speak to 21 year old Skyler. 

Skyler and her twin brother were conceived using egg and sperm donation and raised by their mum in a solo parent family. 

Skyler shares her experiences and thoughts about being donor conceived 

 

In todays episode we cover: 

- The things we do when we want to fit in as a child

- Growing up being the only solo parent family in the area

- When something happens to your only parent that prevents them for caring for you as they would have liked

- Finding your own male role models

- Whether solo parenthood through donor conception is a selfish decision

- Ways you can struggle growing up without a father

- The importance of honest communication 

- What language to use with our children

....and much more!

 

Connect with Skyler

You can connect with Skyler on Instagram at @skylergranat

She would love to hear from other donor conceived people to share experiences. 

 

Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!

 

About Mel Johnson

Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey. 

I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood

Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com

 

Newsletter

I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for at www.thestorkandi.com (scroll down to the section where it says subscribe) 

 

Instagram:

Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i

  Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com   Future Events:  You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/  

 

 

 

 

In todays episode I speak to Emma. Emma is solo mum to a 9 month old daughter using sperm donation and she talks to me about her wonderful experience of being connected by her Sperm Bank to the other recipient parents who have all used the same donor. 

 

In todays episode we cover: 

- Being a solo mum with a very limited support system

- Being connected to donor sibling families when the donor siblings are still all babies

- The language we use and whether we should use the term 'diblings'  

- What makes a family and the importance of genetics

- Ways of finding donor siblings through Facebook Groups

and much more....

 

I mentioned being really interested in whether more sperm banks will follow what Seattle Sperm bank is doing, but actually the legislation in the UK will not allow it, so if we think this is something that should change, we would need to change the legislation in order for this to be able to happen for people who have used sperm from the UK. 

 

The whatsapp group I referred to in the podcast for people who have used Manchester Fertility / Semovo has been replaced by a Facebook group that you can access here. 

 

I have a live event planned with Seattle Sperm Bank to learn more about the programme Emma describes. You can get more information about that and how to join here. 

 

Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!

 

About Mel Johnson

Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey. 

I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood

Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com

 

Newsletter

I have created a monthly Solo Parent Stork and I Newsletter that you can sign up for at www.thestorkandi.com (scroll down to the section where it says subscribe) 

 

Instagram:

Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i

  Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com   Future Events:  You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/  

 

 

In todays episode I speak to Natasha Fox. Natasha is 29 and was raised by her mum in London and then later Scotland. Natasha's mum was the first single woman in Scotland to use donor conception to conceive. Natasha has always known she was donor conceived and openly shares her experiences in this episode. 

 

In todays episode we cover: 

- Using a homemade book to talk to our children about their conception

- The importance of being honest and open about our childrens conception

- The influence we have over how our children feel about their conception

- Emphasising who we have in our life without labels

- Natasha's thoughts about growing up without a father in her life

- Why curiosity about a donor is not a reflection on the quality of parenting

- The best time to find donor siblings

and much more....

 

Resources

I have created a guide of how to create your own My Family book that is referred to in this episode available here 

You can listen to the webinar I recorded with Natasha here

 

Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!

 

About Mel Johnson

Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey. 

I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood

Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com

 

Instagram:

Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i

  Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com   Future Events:  You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/    

 

 

 

In todays episode I chat to Freya. 

Freya is donor conceived and was raised by 2 mums. Then, her and her wife used donor sperm to conceive a daughter, so she has perspectives of both being donor conceived and also being a recipient parent. 

**Warning: we discuss some characteristics of the sperm donor Freya used in the episode**

 

In this episode we cover: 

- Feelings about being donor conceived

- A good age to meet donor siblings

- Finding your donor through DNA testing

- How it feels to connect with your donor

- What language feels comfortable

- Considering using a known donor

- The importance of constantly learning

and much much more!

 

Connect with Freya: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicorndcp

 

Thank you for listening to The Stork and I Podcast! I would love for you to share this episode and let me know what you think! Please take a moment to rate and review, it really helps others find the podcast which can be a great source of support!

 

About Mel Johnson

Hi! I'm Mel, The Solo Parenthood Coach and following my own journey to solo parenthood, I created The Stork and I to support others going through the same journey. 

I'm also on a mission to change the narrative around solo parenthood

Learn more about me and the coaching I offer at www.thestorkandi.com

 

Instagram:

Join our Instagram community for more support: www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i

  Thriving Solo: You can sign up to Thriving Solo, The Stork and I Membership Community for solo mums here: https://members.thestorkandi.com   Future Events:  You can see our planned future events here: https://members.thestorkandi.com/webinar-library/