Key tips for how to tell your child about egg donation

If you’re utilizing a Southern California egg donation center, you might be wondering how to tell your child about egg donation. As donor eggs are now an incredibly popular form of fertility support, more women and men are navigating how to share their special conception story with their child(ren). While this conversation may initially seem daunting, there are various ways to make it easier for both parent and child.

Discover how and when to tell your child about egg donation

The goal of early ‘telling’ is that a child should grow up ‘never knowing a time when they didn’t know’ about how they came into the world. In practical terms, this means starting the process of sharing information with your child from under the age of five.

When parents put in ample thought and planning before telling their child how they were conceived, this conversation can be filled with opportunities for learning and bonding.

Choose the ideal day to talk. An important component of how to tell your child about egg donation is selecting a day when your family has no pressing obligations and will not be hosting guests.

Be intentional about the information that’s shared. For those with a partner, it’s beneficial to have a conversation with them before you talk with your child to determine the information you’ll share and who will say what. This ensures that you communicate clearly and concisely, increasing your child’s chances of understanding what you’re telling them. If you’ll be conveying this information on your own, make a list of the key points you want to hit to help you stay on topic.

Allow ample time to talk. While it might be tempting to rush this conversation, this will likely be a topic that will take your child time to process. As they do, it’s important to be present, attentive and ready to answer all questions.

Other tips for talking to your child

You’ll discover there are plenty of resources to help your child understand the beautiful way that they came into the world.

Commit to support all emotions. When preparing to talk to your child about egg donation, it’s helpful to prepare yourself for the range of emotions your child might experience. As frustration, confusion, sadness or other feelings arise, resist urges to deny or repress your child’s emotions. Instead, support them as they move through whatever comes up.

Create a personalized definition of family. One of the biggest questions and concerns some children have after hearing their conception story is if you’re still a family. Soothe this fear by reminding them that families come in all forms. You can also make a list of what family means to you, your child and the other members of your immediate family.

Have informative books on hand. Something to consider as you decide how to tell your child about egg donation, is how you’ll continue to support your child after you talk. You can carry on the learning and normalize the concept of donor eggs by reading them children’s books on the subject. If you purchase these books ahead of time, they may offer you clear, child-friendly wording you can use during the initial conversation.

If you’re seeking a Southern California egg donation center that can support you in this conversation, our compassionate Elite Fertility Solutions team can help.

How we offer support

As you move through the process of working with a Southern California egg donation center and having a child through donor eggs, we’re here to answer questions, address concerns and help you navigate this milestone. Contact us for more information about how to tell your child about egg donation.