As children, we read stories about romance and living happily ever after. We learn there’s a script to follow: find our passion, our job, meet somebody and create a family. What happens when your life doesn’t follow that script, and you are single and want to have children? This is the Single Mothers by Choice club.  Beth interviews three bold, funny and wise women who speak together anonymously to share their stories of how and why they decided to raise children independently.   Some topics included in this discussion may be triggering or distressing. If you need support, please contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Topics include:  IVFTraumaMaternal instinctBaby lossmiscarriageyounger mumsgeriatric mumspregnancy optionssurrogacyIUIinternational sperm donorslocal sperm donorsanonymous donorsknown donorsadoptionembryo donationteenage mumsFather’s daycontrol seeking to co-parent websitesAge-appropriate explanations for childrenmedical system catering for couplesempowermentintroducing donors to baby/childrenbullying role modelsbirthing classesGrief lonelinesssingle mother by necessity single mother by choice judgement blended families accidental pregnancyDating personal spacelack of sleepnumber of children spare embryossiblingssafetyWho will care for the children if something happens to their sole parentFear of dying in childbirth Birth stories IVF counselling misconceptions about surrogacy, donors and IVFmothering myths, fantasies and realitiesattitudes to one-parent or duo-parent familiesgender-specific skills as an outdated conceptWhether to seek out donor siblings - “diblings.”Children’s characteristics similar or different to birth motherSelecting the donor and seeking specific characteristics Advice to others considering becoming a SMC (single mother by choice)The realities of conceiving at different agesDating while undertaking IVFIntrusive questions, judgements, romanticisationCurveball Media is an independent company working in collaboration with Unison Sound, Sydney, Australia. We give voice to everyday people who have extraordinary stories, which are considered taboo. The best way to support Curveball Media is to click ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts,’ Follow’ on your Spotify app, or subscribe for updates at curveballmedia.com.au, where you can also leave feedback, share your own story and suggest topics; we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a review in the app where you listen to the podcast, as it helps bring new listeners and share with your friends.  Follow our social media to keep up to date:  instagram.com/curveball_media/ facebook.com/curveballpodcast Beth Armstrong hosted and co-produced this episode, produced by Luke Mynott at Unison Sound, edited by Tom Herdman, sound engineered by Cihan Siral and music by Biddy Connor.