The One Where I Talk To Solo Motherhood Coach, Mel Johnson

Send us Fan MailOn this week's episode of Spinsterhood Reimagined, I talk to The Solo Motherhood Coach, Mel Johnson. Mel is a solo mum to her 4 year old daughter, Daisy, who was conceived using IVF and donor conception. Following her own journey into solo motherhood, and passionate about empowering women to fully understand their options on the path to parenthood, Mel created The Stork & I. Through The Stork & I, Mel provides a platform and community for women embarking on this path to parenthood. As a qualified coach, with over 10 years coaching experience, Mel supports single women considering solo parenthood as well as offering support for every stage of the process. She provides one to one and group coaching, and she also launched The Stork & I podcast in 2020, as well as a membership community for solo parents, Thriving Solo. Mel also documents 'a day in the life' of a solo mum on The Stork & I Instagram, to give a balanced insight into what daily life is like.In this conversation, Mel and I discuss her time living in Budapest when she decided to embark upon her solo motherhood journey; how she was always crystal clear about the fact that she wanted to have a baby - partner or no partner; and how, at the age of 36, she decided to take things into her own hands rather than wait for a partner.We also discuss the five real options when it comes to having a baby on your own; how it's almost impossible to be your best dating self when you've got the pressure of a baby at the forefront of your mind; the differences between IUI and IVF; and the steps that Mel had to go through in order to conceive Daisy. Mel and I also chat about how she chose a sperm donor; the financial implications of both IVF and IUI, as well as the financial implications of childcare once you have a baby; and the societal narrative around solo parenting.The Stork & I website: https://thestorkandi.com/Follow Mel on Instagram: @the_stork_and_i Link to Mel's podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-stork-and-i/id1519111127Link to Mel's podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FiJKxOdNTVIcGaHSBf71JJoin my private Facebook Group: Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: @spinsterhoodreimaginedFollow me on Twitter: @LucyMeggesonEmail me: [email protected] Support the showBuy my book, SHINY HAPPY SINGLES (UK) / THRIVE SOLO (US & Canada) at: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/bookJoin my membership community for single women, Thrive Solo: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/thrivesoloDownload my FREE PDF 'Top 10 Comebacks for the MostAnnoying Questions Single Women Get Asked' Go to: https://www.lucymeggeson.com/comebacksCheck out my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thrivesolowithlucymeggeson Join my private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1870817913309222/?ref=shareFollow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivesolowithlucymeggeson/Email me: [email protected] And thank you so much for listening!