Calling All Family and Friends of In Vitro Fertilization Kids

I have never made it a secret that my twin boys are the product of science…I’ve “put it out there” since my husband and I shared the good news that we were finally expecting.  And we’ve talked to our boys about their beginning, showing them pictures and telling them about the special doctor who helped us become pregnant with them. We found a wonderful age-appropriate book to read to all three of our kids (our daughter, conceived the “old-fashioned way” finds it especially interesting), back when they were in Kindergarten.  Since then, I’ve looked for a book that is directed at the pre- to early-pubescent age group and have come up empty.  As someone who enjoys writing and hopes to author a book someday…well, I think I’ve found my niche.

Tweens are at the stage where their bodies are about to transform or have begun to already, and the talk about where-babies-come-from, the real discussion, that is, is just around the corner.  And it is also a time when insecurities and questions about identity start to emerge.  So I envision my book for in vitro fertilization (IVF) kids on the verge of adolescence giving not only specifics about the procedure itself but also addressing their reactions to having a different start from (most) everyone else.

A brief history and the hard science involved in in vitro fertilization I can handle on my own.  But where I need help is in the questions and concerns IVF kids have about where they came from.  I have my sons’ perspectives.  But to truly speak to and reach a larger audience I need the input of more kids.  (I’d love to brag someday about millions of copies sold but there aren’t that many of these beautiful miracle pre-adolescent kids out there…so I’d be more than happy to sell a few hundred!)

This is where you, the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends of in vitro fertilization families come in.  To write a book to help IVF “tweens” learn about and understand their unique story, I need to know what interests them about IVF and what concerns they may have (if any) about being IVF kids.  I’d like to know what questions kids have asked (and how you responded), what worries them and how they feel about their special start.

I would sincerely appreciate anything you can share to help me write this book, one I hope can help IVF kids on the cusp of adulthood understand more about IVF and offer reassurance that this special aspect of them makes them no different than anyone else (remember, “fitting in” at this age becomes oh-so-very important).  Any information you give will certainly be acknowledged, by name or anonymously (which ever you prefer) should my book go to publication.  To reach me, you can post a comment to this blog entry, or if you would be more comfortable with a private conversation, we can arrange to speak by phone or through my private email.  And please feel free to forward my request to family or friends who have children conceived by in vitro, I’d love to hear from as many families as possible!

In advance, I thank you!

[Miracle Baby by Dr. Jennifer Bennett and illustrated and designed by Ailsa Hutton (copyright 2010 by Jennifer Bennett), is a wonderful book for elementary school aged children about IVF.]