When is the “right time” to tell your child they were donor conceived? And how do you talk about it in a way that builds connection—not confusion?In this powerful follow-up to Episode 53, Dr. Alyssa Small Layne speaks with Wendy Kramer, co-founder of the Donor Sibling Registry and parent of a donor-conceived son. Together, they tackle the big questions: how early to start the conversation, what language to use with toddlers and teens, and how to support your child emotionally when their donor or half-siblings don’t respond.Whether you’re still expecting or already parenting a donor-conceived child, this episode will give you real-world tools, language, and compassion to lead your family forward.What You’ll Learn:01:01 — Why waiting to tell your child can lead to deep regret02:06 — How to raise donor-conceived kids with realistic expectations03:19 — Why donors (and half-siblings) sometimes say no06:00 — Tips for reaching out to a donor or relative respectfully08:17 — How to start the conversation with toddlers and young children09:19 — The children’s book Wendy wrote to guide these conversations11:08 — Why kids deserve to grow up knowing their donor family13:30 — When to start searching for half-siblings (hint: before birth!)15:08 — How the DSR protects your privacy during early contact17:06 — Why the industry resists openness—and who profits from it20:24 — What Wendy wishes the donor conception industry would change21:38 — The most powerful thing she’s learned from thousands of families22:13 — The #1 message Wendy wants all intended parents to rememberResources Mentioned:SMS #26 - The Man with 1000 Kids - Safety Precautions for SurrogacySMS #54 - Why Biology Matters: How to Find Donor Siblings and Families for Your Child - Wendy KramerDonor Sibling RegistryBook Your family - a donor kids story: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Family-Donor-Kids-Story/dp/0692106936BloomBridge Surrogacy appKey Takeaways:Don’t wait for your child to ask—start the donor conversation earlyIf a donor says “no,” it’s often about fear or timing—not rejectionEarly openness prevents identity confusion and builds trustYou can build relationships with donor relatives without losing your parental roleReady to start the conversation—or deepen it—with your child? Explore BloomBridge’s donor conception resources or connect with Wendy and the DSR to join thousands of families leading with love and openness.“You don’t wait for kids to discover their cousins—so why would you wait for them to find their half-siblings?”

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