Getting the facts of life
An updated version of the hugely successful children’s book Where Did I Really Come From? will be launched on 13 September.
The book provides an ideal way for an all-new crowd of eager parents to tell their children about the modern realities of conception -” sex, IVF and gay parents included -” in an honest yet child-friendly way.
Australian children’s author Narelle Wickham developed the idea for the book soon after the birth of her daughter Tallay, who was lovingly conceived through self donor insemination 22 years ago.
My position was I was always going to be honest with my daughter about her conception but, when I started looking around for a book for her, which included donor insemination information, there simply was none, Wickham recalls.
I then did some research and found that at that time there were some 8000 other IVF babies, and I just thought, well, this is ridiculous.
The book, which comes complete with gorgeous illustrations and clear, truthful explanations about conception through sex, donor insemination, in-vitro fertilisation, surrogacy and adoption, has been updated since its 1992 pressing to include more up-to-date scientific information and, for the first time, features two men together holding a baby.
This is a book for all parents. Most kids are conceived through sexual intercourse, so that comes first, but I suppose the point is just to make sure that the kids who are conceived through other means aren’t excluded, Wickham told Sydney Star Observer.
If you provide children with honest information, upfront, it doesn’t turn into an issue and it helps that sense that their parents are honest, trustworthy people.
info: Where Did I Really Come From? will be launched by Margot Kingston at Gleebooks on Saturday 13 September at 3.30pm.
Wickham
Photo: Dom Gili
Not to mention Nexibus, Bloody hell! Your arguments and logic are so skewiff that they don’t justify a detailed response.
Congratulations Narelle – the world needs books like yours to go just a tiny way towards some sort of balance.
How did Mariel, Semi Meo and Troy find their ways to this site? God help us all!!!!! These comments hint of the USA’s deep south. I can’t imagine they’re genuine comments – surely they’re pulling our legs! Fundamental religion is the bane of society. I truly pity these people.
OMG a sex book for toddlers! As if Au didn’t already have a P/R problem in the world. Narelle, you didn’t find a book like this for toddlers for the same reason you will not find morphine in baby formula- because sane people know that it isn’t healthy. This isn’t about child rearing, it’s indoctrination- truly what a mess this world has become. Your comuppance like a child’s need for a man & woman to be conceived, father is ingrained into nature. I’m thankful my kids won’t be anywhere geographically close to the inevitable fallout of the bizarre, politically driven practice you call motherhood.
I think this is a marvelous, wonderful idea for a book. Congratulations Narelle. I completely support and endorse your work. It is about time that such a book was put on the market so that all children (not just those conceived through IVF or sperm donor) can learn that children can come into their parents life/ lives through all manner of ways, and that there are many and varied family structures, all of which are legitimate, if they are based on love, ‘ethicacy’ and care.
I’m heartened by this publication and one day when I have children, it will be on the reading list for sure along with other texts which foster attitudes of acceptance and respect for diversity.
I think this is a marvelous, wonderful idea for a book. Congratulations Narelle. I completely support and endorse your work. It is about time that such a book was put on the market so that all children (not just those conceived through IVF or sperm donor) can learn that children can come into their parent(s) life/ lives through all manner of ways, and that there are many and varied family structures, all of which are legitimate, if they are based on love, ‘ethicacy’ and care.
I’m heartened by this publication and one day when I have children, it will be on the reading list for sure along with other texts which foster attitudes of acceptance and respect for diversity.
What I think is really scary is that it has caused this much controversy!!!! Wake up and look at our world.. the beauty of humankind is that we are all different, we come from different places and like different things and, some of us are even attracted to the same sex. Embrace difference.. and if it’s not you.. then get over it.. it doesn’t harm you.. Good on you, Narelle, I’ve been waiting for a book like this.
Even though I feel it is wrong, I don’t have a problem with individuals entering into same sex relationships and have had many gay friends over the years, by being in same sex relationships however I believe they forfeit the right to have children of their own.
IVF should only ever be used for genuine couples unable to conceive through natural means. Furthermore what really bugs me is morally bankrupt people who attempt to tell children that this is normal behaviour. Life will no doubt be hard enough and provide challenges of its own when they grow up.. There are specific tools a child needs and aquires from both mother and father to prepare them for this life, denying them this is like handicapping them.
Ms Wickham you should keep your views of this nature to yourself.
Editor’s Note: Troy, one could argue that there is a divine reason why some straight couples are unable to conceive. If this is the case then what makes them any more deserving of IVF treatment? If nature has not intended these straight couples to have children, then under your logic it could be argued they should not be given access to IVF.
We can only pray that one day Ms Wickham’s lovely daughter will confront Mum after reading about the real truth. It would be childish to assume that parents would for ever have control of kid’s perception of life. NO WAY. We have the liberty tell kid our personal view now, tomorrow they have the liberty to have a mind of their own and may just question some of ours. Simple, we tell them a sugar coated lie, sooner they know the difference when the sugar is gone.Let the fun begin!
I have follow this link through the news in ninemsn. I feel sorry for you that you think it is normal what you are promoting. Nature does not make mistakes. You need a men and a woman to have a child. That is the normal and no matter how much science and technology progress to allow confused people like you to have children. It does not make it normal. I’ll will continue to teach my children to grow a normal healthy life in this disfunctional world, looking for answers in the Bible and I suggest you should do that too. Look for God and you could still be saved. God bless you!