The Global Day of Parents, or Parents’ Day as we know it, was introduced by the United Nations to honour parents all over the world for their lifelong commitment to nurturing the relationship and to raising the new generation. “Don’t we already have a Mothers’ Day and a Fathers’ Day?” you may ask. “Do we really need a Parents’ Day as well?”

Well, yes, we think so. Some say it takes a village to raise a child, but when it comes down to basics, it takes two people, or to be even more basic, it takes an egg and a sperm. In this IVI blog article, we take a step back from the technicalities of how these two can be helped to meet, and join the tribute to honour all parents. But first, back to basics again: when is Parents’ Day?

Parents’ Day is 1^st June

For all of us in Europe and much of the rest of the world, Parents’ Day is 1^st June. The start of summer when flowers are in their full glory, when fruit and vegetables and all the crops have been pollinated and start to swell and grow under the summer sun; that is the day set aside by the UN to honour the most important job in the world. It’s a day to reflect that the first 1,000 days of a child’s existence are the once-in-a-lifetime chance to guide a developing brain on to the paths we believe to be right, and to do the best we can to help them to learn and grow.

In the United States, Parents’ Day is a moveable feast, celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July. Though the date may be different, the sentiment is the same. Wherever we are in the world, we share the wish to celebrate our own parents, celebrate ourselves in our role as parents, or perhaps just salute parents in general.

How do we celebrate Parents’ Day around the world?

Thoughtfully chosen gifts, special meals and family gatherings are at the heart of most family event celebrations. They may include getting dressed up, dancing and making speeches or they may be more low key, quiet and intimate. For most parents, the gift or the event is secondary. It’s the presence of their child, whatever age they may be, that counts. For parents everywhere, you are the best present.

• In France, treat your maman et papa to a relaxed long lunch in a bistro or restaurant.
• In Germany, bring a bunch of flowers and take your mama und papa for a relaxing stroll through the woods or a park.
• In Italy, cook a special dish for mamma e papa at home and if the weather is nice, serve it outside in the gentle sunshine of early summer.
• In Spain take your mamá y papa a gift of homecooked food or a homemade card.
• In Portugal and Brazil, honour your mamãe e papai by dressing up in your finest outfit and taking them out to dance.
• In the UK, take mum and dad to a country park or beauty spot or cook them a roast dinner at home.
• In the USA, celebrate mom and dad by making them a traditional home-cooked meal, and give them a gift or go on a fun outing together.

You see the common thread in these celebrations? It’s you. The best way to show your appreciation for all that time and attention, love and devotion, is to repay your parents with the gift of your time. Thoughtful presents are an unnecessary but welcome extra!

What does Parents’ Day mean for IVI?

We’ve seen the happiness that a much-longed-for birth brings to parents; in our 30-year history, we’ve seen it thousands of times. We’ve heard time and again that the gift of a new life is the best thing that ever happened to these mothers and fathers as they accommodate and readjust their lives to include the joy that parenthood brings. These are some of the ways that we have been able to share in the success stories of 50,000 family units from 80 countries around the world:

• The preservation of fertility through vitrification of oocytes allows women to delay motherhood until the time is right. This can be almost literally a lifeline for women at risk of loss of their ovarian function through cancer treatment or who need ovarian surgery, for example in severe cases of endometriosis. Even if there is no medical reason, this technique gives women who need to delay motherhood for social or economic reasons the freedom to make their own choices.
• Compatibility genetic testing, also known as Genetic Carrier Screening, can analyse prospective parents’ genes to detect any alterations or mutations. In the absence of any incompatibilities, couples can go ahead and get pregnant naturally, confident in the knowledge that they do not carry the same detectable alteration which could be passed on to their offspring, Where a potential problem is identified with Preimplantation Genetic Testing, at IVI we can identify which embryos are healthy and can be transferred to the womb. .
• IVF with donated eggs is the fertility treatment with the highest success rate of all. At IVI we have one of the world’s largest egg banks and as a result we can offer optimal matching of donor and recipient with maximum phenotypical similarity. Our

IVI has one of the best success rates, with 9 out of 10 couples or individuals who consult us with fertility problems and put their trust in us achieving their goal of becoming parents. Especially on Parents’ Day, we are aware that for each and every one of those new parents, the simple fact of the existence of their longed-for child is the best and only present they could ever want.