I was recently interviewed for an article in The Bump focused on single mothers by choice. The piece explores what it means to pursue parenthood independently, including the emotional, practical, and identity-based questions that often arise along the way. You can read the full article here.

What I Shared in the Interview

In the interview, I was asked to offer a mental health perspective on intentional solo parenthood. My comments were grounded in clinical practice and in current professional guidance around donor conception and third-party reproduction.

For many people considering single motherhood by choice, the decision comes after substantial reflection. It often involves revisiting earlier expectations, thinking carefully about support systems, and planning for how to build a family outside of a partnered model.

I spoke about:

• The emotional process of adjusting to a family-building path that may look different from what was once imagined.
• The level of intention and planning that typically goes into choosing parenthood independently.
• The importance of thinking ahead about how donor conception is discussed over time, using developmentally appropriate and open language with children.

These considerations are not fixed at one point in time. They tend to resurface and evolve as families grow and as children reach new developmental stages.

Why This Kind of Coverage Matters

Single motherhood by choice is becoming more visible, but it is still often framed through assumptions or oversimplifications. Thoughtful coverage in mainstream parenting media helps shift the narrative toward a more accurate understanding of how these families are formed and supported.

Including mental health perspectives in these conversations underscores that emotional preparation, informed decision-making, and long-term planning are central parts of the process, not afterthoughts.

Closing Thoughts

I appreciated the opportunity to contribute to The Bump’s coverage of single mothers by choice and to be part of a broader public conversation about family diversity. Clear, nuanced information can help people approach family building with greater confidence and self-understanding.

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About Support Through Sweet Springs Consultation and Assessment

Dr. Leann T. Diederich and Sweet Springs Consultation and Assessment offer specialized psychological consultation for individuals pursuing parenthood through donor conception and other third-party reproduction pathways. For single mothers by choice, this includes a single-session psychoeducational group orientation designed to help participants think through emotional, relational, and disclosure-related aspects of donor conception in a structured and supportive setting.

Additional services may include individual consultation and clinic-required psychological evaluations related to sperm donation, egg donation, embryo donation, or gestational carrier arrangements. Services are available to individuals in Pennsylvania, New York, Hawaii, and all PSYPACT-participating states, with virtual options available for all.

AI writing assistance was used in developing portions of this blog. All content has been reviewed and finalized by Dr. Leann T. Diederich.