Solo parenting wasn't for me, so I'm co-parenting with my sister

After deciding solo parenting was not for them, Eli Sutherland invested $15,000 in fertility treatments, including IUI and IVF, but the procedures did not result in a pregnancy.

During this period, Sutherland's sister, Kathy, who had identified as asexual and aromantic and maintained a child-free stance, began to reconsider her position. "I want to be a mum. I think I want to do IVF," Kathy told Sutherland during one of their weekly calls.

Inspired by Sutherland's reproductive journey, Kathy's perspective shifted, making motherhood seem possible. The siblings are now planning a co-parenting arrangement. Sutherland, who identifies as non-binary and found labels like "maternal" and "paternal" ill-fitting, will move from Melbourne to Perth for the first six months of the baby's life, referring to the child as a "nibling", a non-gendered term for a niece or nephew.

They have begun discussing their unique family plan with others, navigating conversations about their decision to co-parent.

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I realized something. It's funny how you're younger than me, but sometimes you lead me to realisations. I want to be a mum. I think I want to do IVF.