People always ask how I choose to celebrate certain holidays with my kids, most often, how I approach Father’s Day.
My girls are donor-conceived, and they are age-appropriately aware of our family structure. From a young age, they can already recognize that all families are unique in their own way. This understanding has been reinforced through modeling with language, reading books, and exposing them to all types of families. On Father’s Day, we choose to celebrate Donor Appreciation Day.
We watch a video I created about their story, look at photos of their donor and read through different facts about him. We also do several acts of kindness for others— it’s a way to bring things full circle so my girls can understand the kindness and love their donor has shown to our family.
My girls will have the option to contact their donor when they turn 18. I will support whatever decisions they make at that time, and I will always talk openly about their history and how loved they truly are.
This year, for Donor Appreciation Day, we hope to connect with other families of donor-conceived kiddos, spend time paying kindness forward, and enjoy togetherness as a family.
Good for you, raising strong children and sending a message of inclusion. My mother was a single parent by different means but she always included us.