Do you ever wonder what solo motherhood by choice looks like further down the line? I certainly do, and today's episode with a SMBC of a teen was a fascinating window into that world.

Today’s guest, Elle, became a single mother by choice at 36, using a known sperm donor: someone she briefly dated years before. Today, her son is 13, and her story gives us a rare, honest look at what life can look like after the decision is made and we leave the diaper years behind us. 

I love how open Elle is in sharing the beautiful, the complicated, the surprising, and everything in between. From managing pregnancy and postpartum alone and watching her son’s relationship with his donor evolve, to navigating school choices, identity questions, and early teenage years.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a known sperm donor could work for you, or you’re simply craving a long-term perspective from someone further down the solo motherhood path, Elle’s story offers us a peek into what it can look like.

In this episode on solo parenting a teenager and choosing a known sperm donor, we discuss:

• How Elle decided to pursue solo motherhood at 36;
• Why she chose a known donor over a sperm bank and how she went about it;
• What the donor relationship looked like during pregnancy and postpartum;
• Her son’s evolving understanding of who his “donor” or “dad” is;
• Legal considerations (and misconceptions) around known sperm donors;
• Navigating boundaries, expectations, and emotional complexity over 13 years;
• Identity, gender expression, and raising a compassionate son;
• The challenges and rewards of solo parenting an older child;
• Trusting yourself through big parenting and school decisions;
• And much more.

👩‍👧‍👦The Single Greatest Choice is the single mother by choice support you’ve been craving for every stage of your journey. You can find 1:1 Coaching for every stage of solo motherhood by choice, Community Groups for thinkers, triers, and pregnant SMBCs, The SGC Village Membership Community, Retreats for early stage SMBCs and Family Trips for moms & kids.

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Reach out to Katie over at [email protected]