to have my own family?

[cryhavocandletslipthedogsofwar]

Hello :) I'm at a point where I thought I'd be married with at least one child by now but I just haven't met a man!

I'm devestated at the thought of not having a family of my own and have considered adoption but wouldn't get through the vetting process due to the fact that I can't reduce hours at work and so I would have to continue working full time.

A lesbian couple I am aquainted with explained to me that single women sometimes access clinics for sperm donation and it's something I have considered for myself. I made an appointment at a private clinic following an open day to explore my options and I have the money saved and it seems possible, and I am just wondering what others think. I feel so very ready to have a baby and would be so unhappy if I never got this opportunity but I am scared by what others may think and the step of having a child alone! But, I can't imagine not having children.

Any thoughts ... ?

[Kewcumber]

and of course I don't need a man, I'm a 48 year old healthy educated woman who can earn a living. Do I want one? Yes I wouldn't mind. But I don't have one just now and I had to choose to wait for the man or the baby, I chose to wait for the man and have the baby whist I was waiting. As I say to DS - its important to wait for the right one because a rubbish Dad is worse than no Dad.

[PacificDogwood]

Oh gawd, yes, the desire for an 'own' child is intrinsically selfish - 'tis what The Selfish Gene demands . I'd've considered adoption after several MC, but DH would not contemplate the idea .

I think I need to stop overthinking this on the behalf of the OP .

PS: To halt population growth in its tracks, anyone of mine, aged 1-3 would have worked btw. I am in denial re teenagerhood .

[Kewcumber]

I had the selfish gene beaten out of me by the time I'd adopted.

When asked (about 6 years after making the initial decision) I was asked by sw whether I wanted to adopt a girl or a boy I said "whatever comes first, in fact I'd consider a puppy I'm so desperate".

She thought I was joking so a I grimaced grinned.

[Sheshelob]

TTTT - I think you are being old fashioned. I don't think OP smacks of me, me, me. It is about us, us, us. And she wants to be part of an 'us'. And I think she has a right to want that. We all come from families so it makes sense that it is something a lot of people want. And the fact that OP has lost her parents makes even more sense that it is something she wants. But why settle for a duff bloke to realise that dream? Obviously if the right man comes along, then that would be wonderful for OP. But if he doesn't, does that mean that she should face a lifetime alone? I don't think so.

My mum was alone with four kids for about 5 years. It was much happier than when she was with my shithead father. It was the 80s and we weren't teased or made to feel like it was a disadvantage. I can't believe anyone in this day an age would have a problem with it.

OP - I would echo the counselling thing. Children, I have found, can reflect the things we struggle with in our own personalities, so to have a good handle on that will just be another good tool in your parenting.

Good luck. Going it alone is going to be hard. But it it is also going to be amazing.

[ImagineJL]

Teen I'm guessing you have a husband and never faced this situation. You may feel differently if your situation was different. A mile in someone else's shoes and all that.

[flossieraptor]

Kew I adopted a 12 year old and had a baby the same year

[GoshAnneGorilla]

TTT as has already been mentioned upthread, sperm donation is no longer anonymous in the UK and the men who donate their sperm are aware of this. So if the O.P's future child wants to find out where the other half of their genes comes from, they will be able to.

I also wanted to add, I know two women who wanted children and were considering donor sperm, but for various reasons, left it too late. I absolutely don't blame O.P for not wanting to hang around.

[Cloverer]

I also know of women who have met the right man in their mid-thirties, but by the time they were ready to have a child together fertility was against them.

Have the baby now, you can still meet the right man later.

[Samnella]

YANBU to want a family and if I were in the same situation I would do the same. I would add I think you need to go in this with your eyes wide open and find out what single parenthood involves. Parenthood is tough and relentless but also wonderful.

I wouldn't be so concerned about what others think (I am curious that you asked for our thoughts), It doesnt matter what we think, its what is right for you that counts.

[sweetkitty]

YANBU you only get one shot at life and in your position I would do the same thing.

I would give yourself a year, research it to death, costs, implications, maternity package, everything financial and if your still up for it go for it.

I wish you the best of luck

[quizzywizz]

That is something that I have been thinking of but don't think it would be for me.

I always imagined I would be married with a couple of children by now. I have been crazy broody for years now! The idea that I might never have a baby hurts a lot. At the same time I don't think that sex outside of marriage is right for me. Not sure where artificial insemination falls in my moral code though. Probably more acceptable the older I get.

That empty armed ache that hits right in your stomach and makes you catch your breath when you see a baby is tough.

[BonaDea]

Yanbu and if you have really thought it all through, financially, emotionally etc go for it. Also think about what impact pregnancy and small baby will have on your ability to then meet someone.

How about giving yourself another year or two to meet someone? Be really pro active - Internet dating, new hobbies the lot.

As a first time mother to a 5 week old, I cannot begin to tell you how gruelling these first few weeks have been and there have been two of us, plus help from mums. If you do this make sure you have adequate support - even if it means paid help in the form of a cleaner etc.

Good luck

[iusedtobefun2]

another one here who has had a child with donor sperm.

TBH I didn't find the first few weeks that difficult. I just had to think of the two of us and the dog. Everyone and every baby is different.

What I do find more difficult is getting time off work when DD is ill.
You need a sympathetic boss or be creative with regards to working from home/starting your own business or something!

Good luck and go for it. Seems like you've really thought this through.
Oh and I had DD by IUI. If you have no heath issues surely it's worth a go?

[MumOfTheMoos]

Go for it.

I was in a very similar position to you at your age but actually decided that finding a partner was more important to me.

I found him aged 36, married at 38 and started ttc - eventually did on first cycle of IVF aged 40.

Now I have my incredible DS and I feel that I've been sooo lucky.

With the benefit of hindsight, if I had thought (like you do) that I wasn't going to meet someone I would never have risked my fertility like I did. Obviously, it worked out ok for me and I'm very glad to have met my DH and had my DS with him but as none of us know what is going to happen, all we have is what we can control and you can control this, at your age, with donor sperm.

Go for it - having children is fab and if you really want it then go for it.

[Pigsmummy]

I married at 37 and have 6 month old DD. Was single at 34. I will go back to work when baby is 11 months old. I have friends who are single parents. I would suggest that you give yourself a year of not planning anything/take the pressure off yourself and decide then. If you want a child then make it happen but give yourself some down time first.