Kim.

Today we talk with Kim as part of our mini-series on family dynamics. Thirteen years ago Kim decided she wanted to have a baby and chose to take the donor route and do it on her own. Like many Gen X women, Kim was raised believing she would have it all; a career of her choosing AND a happy marriage and kids.  Her Midwestern upbringing gave her a great foundation, but she was curious about life beyond the cornfields, so moved to LA in her early 20's. Kim assumed it would be a short (and hopefully exciting!) chapter, before settling down. The early years of a fast paced media career were great fun, full of unexpected experiences and opportunities, but dating in my 20's & 30's did not deliver the spectacular guy she always thought would appear.  Kim's parents gave her their best life example, which was how to build a family with someone you truly loved, but she had to write my own revised edition.  So after a LOT of soul searching--and some tough conversations with medical experts who deal in statistics NOT romantic dreams!--Kim decided to take the steps to become a single mom by choice.  She still believes her guy is out there, and she'll meet him exactly when she's supposed to, but is 100% certain that this path was the one destined for her. With the support of her biological family, and incredible chosen family of true blue friends, Kim is building a life she could have never could have imagined.  Most important of all,  helping her son understand that having him was, and still is, the very best decision she has ever made. You can reach Kim at [email protected] or at Chapter3Productions. Resources: Books: It's NOT the Stork! and The Family Book by Todd Parr. Dr's: Dr. Sam Najmabadi, at the Center for Reproductive Health & Gynocology. (There are clearly an increasing numbers of fertility options. It's really important to find the right doctor/practice to guide you through this process, especially those equipped to help guide single parents or alternative families.) and Dr. Sheryl Ross, OB/GYN, women's health expert/advocate and published author (she-ology & she-ology, the she-quel). Kim also recommends looking into, Cord Blood Registry for storing cord blood stem cells and the advances made in medicine.