Free Teleconference January 17, 2013

You're Invited to a FREE Telephone Coaching Support Group on  January 17, 2013  Donor Gametes, the Next Generation: Caring for Our Children Are you considering the use of donor sperm, egg, or embryo to create children? Or, are you already parenting children created by donor sperm, egg, or embryo?    During this one hour group conference call, you will receive information on:  · The pros and cons of disclosure to children of their genetic origin   · What and when to share this information with children if you so choose · How or whether to share this information with family or friends · Questions you may have if you have already begun to share this information You will also have the opportunity to share information and support one another in making the decision about disclosure and find out just how and what to say at what age when you begin to talk with your child and others. Come hear what both professionals and other parents have learned through their own experiences and work with families created through donor conception.    WHEN: Thursday, January 17, 2013 WHERE: Telephone Conference Line (call-in information will be given at time of registration) TIME: 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern time FACILITATORS: Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D. and Patricia Mendell, L.C.S.W. COST: FREE! Registration limited to the first 15 responders who also send information regarding their particular situation and any questions they would like addressed. For further information and to register contact: Joann Paley Galst jgalst@aol.com , 212-759-2783     or Patricia Mendell pmendell@aol.com, 212-819-1778 Facilitator Bios: Joann Paley Galst, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in New York City specializing in mind-body medicine and reproductive health issues, including infertility, third party reproduction, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy and parenting after infertility. She is a past Chairperson of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and is currently the Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Board and Co-director of Support Services for the American Fertility Association. She is the author of numerous articles on infertility and co-author of the book, Ethical Dilemmas in Fertility Counseling, published by the American Psychological Association. In her work with individuals, couples, and groups, she believes that good family building decision-making starts with well-substantiated facts and clarification of one's feelings and aims to help clients strengthen their confidence and resilience so that they can cope most effectively with their fertility treatment and become the parents they strive to be.   Patricia Mendell, L.C.S.W. is a clinical social worker in private practice in Manhattan and Brooklyn. As a current member of the board of The American Fertility Association (AFA) and its former Co-Chair, she has co-authored numerous AFA fact sheets including, Talking with Children about Ovum Donation and Sperm Donation. She is also a member of the AFA Mental Health Advisory Board. Patricia facilitates a monthly Family Building Network Support Group for families formed through assisted conception. She has written and spoken extensively on numerous topics regarding the emotional impact of infertility, coping strategies and decision making in family building, including donation and surrogacy, disclosure and tools for talking about family origins, multi-fetal reduction and pregnancy loss. As a parent, infertility and pregnancy loss survivor, Patricia is well aware of the impact decision making choices have on people's lives as they seek to build their families and begin their new roles as parents. Through her years of experience, Patricia has found that the challenges of family life often come as a surprise, bringing doubts to even the most secure individuals and relationships. Parenting tools can be learned through coaching and counseling methods that can establish the self-confidence needed to create meaningful family connections that support their children's dreams, establish clear limits, and allow for healthy discussions with their children and others about their family beginnings.

IAC Workshops

January 2013   Happy New Year! Please see our list of our upcoming workshops below. 2013 IAC Center Workshops        January Baby Care for Adoptive Parents - Montclair, NJ   February    Transracial Adoptive Family Issues- Montclair, NJ   March   How to Talk to a Child About Adoption: Infancy to 11 Years - Montclair, NJ     April   Parenting the Older Adopted Child - Montclair, NJ  Baby Care for Adoptive Parents - Montclair, NJ May    Understanding Open Adoption Today- Pennington, NJ Baby Care for Intended Parents through Surrogacy -Montclair, NJ: We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events!    IAC Center Director Counseling offers a non-biased overview of family building options to facilitate individuals and couples in making timely decisions that are mindful of long term implications. Using a life-long short-term counseling model, counseling is available throughout the adoption life cycle for all adoption triad members.

FAMILY BUILDING NETWORK MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Thursday, January 10, 2013 7-8:30PM

FAMILY BUILDING NETWORK

MONTHLY  SUPPORT GROUP MEETING

 Thursday, January 10, 2013

 7-8:30PM

The FBN is a monthly support group that brings together families formed with the help of egg/sperm/embryo donation and/or surrogacy as well as parents-to-be; giving them the opportunity to ask questions, get answers to their concerns, share experiences and feel supported.

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. 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.  

The monthly FBN 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.  

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: Time: Cost: Location: Contact:	Thursday, January 10,2013 7:00-8:30 pm $25 per person, $40 per family 902 Broadway (between 20th-21st Sts. next to 920 Broadway), 13th Floor, NYC 10010 Patricia Mendell, LCSW, 212-819-1778 www.patriciamendell.com

Upcoming Dates: 2/7/13,  3/7/13,  4/4/13,  5/2/13

Presentation on "Fertility Issues for Lesbians"

Carolyn Berger, LCSW will be presenting on "Fertility Issues for Lesbians" at The Institute for Human Identity (IHI) in NYC on Wednesday, January 30th at 6 pm. To make a reservation, e-mail ihicenter@gmail.com or call 212-243-2870. FREE.