You're Invited to a FREE Telephone Coaching Group on November 17th

From The AFA:

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 implementing this aspect of parenting.
WHEN: Thursday, November 17, 2011
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, pregnancy loss, and pregnancy and parenting after infertility. She is a past Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and is currently the 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 strives to help clients build their resilience so that they can cope more effectively with their fertility treatment.

Patricia Mendell, L.C.S.W., B.C.D. is a clinical social worker in private practice in Manhattan and Brooklyn. She is Co-chair of the American Fertility Association (AFA) and the facilitator of the AFA Ovum Donor Seminar Series. She is co-author of the fact sheets for AFA on "Talking to Children about Ovum Donation" and "Talking to Children about Sperm Donation." Ms. Mendell has written and spoken extensively on numerous topics regarding fertility, third party reproduction, parenting after infertility, disclosure, multi-fetal reduction, pregnancy loss, and adoption. As an infertility and pregnancy loss survivor, she is well aware of the impact decision making choices have on people's lives. In her role as therapist and consumer advocate, she gives those seeking her help both practical and therapeutic advice on how to better cope with stress, resolve marital tensions, and select and explore solutions to their family building dilemmas.



Sara Axel

OCT 3, 2011 REVISITING OCT 13,2010, ORIGINALLY POSTED MARCH 2009

I HAVE SHARED THIS TWICE BEFORE, MY KIDS ARE NOW 7. MAYBE I'LL JOIN THE DSR WHEN WE MEET WENDY IN PERSON AT THE NYC GATHERING DINNER ON OCT 17, 2011.


''Nancy and Elizabeth run a great group. We shared our thoughts, feelings and experiences and everyone was heard and supported, all within our varying opinions and perspectives.

Particularly helpful to me was hearing Eric Schwartzman's views on being a DI Dad and we all considered how donor conception and all the 3rd party options impact our kids and how we think we will handle it into the future.

For me, I'm not ready for the DSR, but learning from everyone here at this meeting (pro and con), I am trying to remain open-minded and gear myself up for whatever approach my kids want to take when the time comes. My aim would be to support them and help them accomplish their goals and meet their own needs. I hope they too will share their journey with me.

I was also able to explore my own issues as they pertain to DE, ie my family of origin, my heritage, my genome. And back to understanding that it isnt just about me anymore. As Nancy has told me, this is now OUR FAMILY story, not just mine or my kids.''

MyStyle Story:Sperm Donor Premieres September 27 on Style

http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/b7656_sperm_donor_premieres_september_27_on.html
PRODUCED BY WENDY KRAMER OF THE DONOR SIBLING REGISTRY. WENDY AND HER SON RYAN KRAMER WILL BE OUR GUESTS AT THE NYC GATHERING DINNER ON OCTOBER 17TH, 2011. PLEASE EMAIL SAXEL95@AOL.COM TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT.

Third Party Parenting Network led by Nancy Kaufman, 2011-2012 Schedule

The Third Party Parenting Network, Professionally Led Support Group (WHICH IS NOT THE NYC GATHERING) resumes in September. All meetings are held at: 7:30 – 9:00 pm.

September 13  ,October 11  ,November 8  ,December 13  ,January 10 February 7, March 13 ,April 10, May 8, June 5  Fee: $20 per person/$30 per family. RSVP to: thirdpartyparenting@yahoo.com or Nancy Kaufman 212-772-1200

New York Support Groups RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

http://www.resolve.org/support-and-services/support-group/new-york-support-groups.html

Check out this adoption website.

Wouldn't it be great if we had a resource and support network like this.
Shows you just how long we have to go.
http://adoptionvoices.com/

A New Book by Diane Ehrensaft: gender born, gender made.

http://genderborngendermade.com/

DONOR PARENTING STUDY AT THE Center for Attachment Research at the New School for Social Research

I WILL CONTINUE TO SEND MORE INFO AS I GET IT. THIS IS THEIR LETTER IN RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRY. 

The Center for Attachment Research at the New School is engaged in the application of attachment theory to clinical and developmental research questions concerning child, parent, and family development.

We are about to begin a new line of research and would like to invite you and your family to become involved. The study intends to explore child and family development in a group of children who were conceived through assisted reproduction.  There is little known about the emotional and social development of children conceived through assisted reproduction, and we are searching for participants to help us build knowledge in the hopes of benefitting those who may utilize assisted reproduction the future.

We are specifically looking at the relationship between parents and their six to eight year old children who were conceived through egg donation.  This study involves one visit to our Child Development facility at the Center for Attachment Research at the New School for Social Research at 80 Fifth Avenue in New York City.  As part of this study, families would participate in a series of assessments that will focus on aspects of child development and the parent-child relationship. All of these assessments have been specifically designed to be of interest to the children and the families. We are especially focused on learning from you by using state of the art measures that will help us better understand the strengths and challenges unique to each family.

In return for contributing to a greater understanding of parent and child relationships following assisted reproduction, parents will receive a DVD highlighting their experience with their child at the Center for Attachment Research.

For more information about the study please contact Jenna Slutsky at ParentChildResearch123@gmail.com or 917.750.0692.

For more information about the Center for Attachment Research contact M. Steele (steelem@newschool.edu, OR visit the following website: http://www.attachmentresearch.com/

Study Being Run At The Center for Attachment Research in NYC

I am trying to get more info on this ad sent to me by friend and  NYC Gathering group 

member. If you have any details or have heard about this please contact me at 

saxel95@aol.com. Will keep you posted.... 

***PARENTS OF KIDS AGES 6-8 years*** If you used donor insemination or egg donation to start or build your family, please keep reading! We are running a cutting-edge study this year at the Center for Attachment Research in NYC, working with some of the leading 

researchers in Attachment Theory and new family form research. The study focuses on parent-child relationships and childhood development. The session takes about 2-3 hours and includes a range of fun and interesting play activities for you and your child. 

The study will be done at 80 Fifth Avenue 

(14th street) in NYC.You can learn more about us at www.AttachmentResearch.com

DE Moms Talking To Their Kids in 2011

Or talking to your friends, family, doctors ?
Let me know if you'd like to join the conversation and what you'd like to add.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Please contact me directly at SAXEL95@AOL.COM.

TPPN March '09 Meeting Recap Worth Repeating

Nancy and Elizabeth run a great group. We shared our thoughts, feelings and experiences and everyone was heard and supported, all within our varying opinions and perspectives.

Particularly helpful to me was hearing Eric Schwartzman's views on being a DI Dad and we all considered how donor conception and all the 3rd party options impact our kids and how we think we will handle it into the future.

For me, I'm not ready for the DSR, but learning from everyone here at this meeting (pro and con), I am trying to remain open-minded and gear myself up for whatever approach my kids want to take when the time comes. My aim would be to support them and help them accomplish their goals and meet their own needs. I hope they too will share their journey with me.

I was also able to explore my own issues as they pertain to DE, ie my family of origin, my heritage, my genome. And back to understanding that it isnt just about me anymore. As Nancy has told me, this is now OUR FAMILY story, not just mine or my kids.

Thanks again to all who attended and to Elizabeth and Nancy for hosting and facilitating.

The TPPN Meeting is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 7-8:30 on the Upper West Side. Call 212-873-6435 or 212-772-1200, email- thirdpartyparenting@yahoo.com and the cost is $20pp/30 per family.