Are you considering a solo parent journey or already walking that path? In this episode, Emily sits down with Mel Johnson, The Solo Parenthood Coach. Mel talks about her own journey to solo parenthood and going from navigating the grief around not being able to become a parent in the way she’d imagined to thriving as a solo mum to her daughter Daisy.

2:00 - Mel’s story and journey to solo parenthood

4:41 - Creating Mel’s business, ‘The Stalk and I’

7:20 - Navigating the decision to become a solo parent - letting go of the fairy tale we’ve been sold

14:00 - Rethinking what perfect is - letting go of binaries and embracing your own way

16:50 - Grieving the loss of an imagined future and letting

20.35 - Mel’s advice for women considering going down the sold parent route

23:45 - Fears vs reality of becoming a solo parent

26:44 - Navigating finding a sperm donor

30:00 - Being single in a couple-centric world

35:00 - Self-care non-negotiables and Mel’s ‘Life Raft’ as a solo parent

39.45 - Mel’s three key takeaways

Mel gives her advice around making the decision to pursue the path in the first place, doing the work to feel confident in embracing the journey, and letting go of the fairytale we’ve been sold about how becoming a mum should look. She explores the things she wished she knew when she was starting to navigate the journey herself as well as some valuable gems of insight for anyone on this path or considering a solo parent journey.

Visit Mel’s website at: https://thestorkandi.com/

Follow Mel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_stork_and_i/?hl=en

Learn more about Emily Barker (CNMdip, mBANT, CNHC) at ⁠https://www.rootsandshootsldn.com/⁠ and on Instagram @‌rootsandshoots_fertility