Events

Events

Family Building Network
Monthly Support Group Meeting

The FBN is a monthly support group for mothers of children created with the help of egg/sperm/embryo donation and/or surrogacy and women who are considering donation and/or surrogacy to build their families. The meetings provide a safe and comfortable place where you need not feel alone or different. Often, listening and sharing stories with others can give parents the confidence needed to not only start the talk with their children and others, but continue to grow the conversation.

The decision to parent with the help of donors/surrogates involves multiple choices. Many parents are unsure whether they should tell their children about their conception. For many, the unexpected questions from family, friends and even strangers starting with their pregnancy and then birth and beyond, can cause even the most confident woman to become doubtful about sharing her proud story of her child’s conception. Even for those who make the decision to tell, the uncertainty of how and when to begin this conversation can often result in years passing by and children not being told about their genetic origins. Fear of “doing it wrong” or “being rejected” by their children seems to become the biggest roadblocks to talking and sharing. But you are not alone!

Discussions will include:

  • Tools for talking about donor conception with children
  • The importance of language in the disclosure story
  • How to answer questions from your child and others
  • How children’s questions change over time
  • The latest books for parents and children

Date:
Monthly, on First Tuesday, Space limited, Must call

Time:
7:00-8:30 pm

Cost:
$30 per person

Location:
80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1503 (14th Street)
NYC 10011

Contact:
Patricia Mendell, LCSW, 212-819-1778