I’ve spent £285,000 to become a single dad of three

Full brood for Father’s Day (Credit: JAM PRESS)

A father-of-three has spent over £285,000 to become a single dad by choice.

Nathan Chan used egg donation and surrogates to fulfil his dream of having a family.

The 39-year-old now has two daughters and one son, after spending more than a decade battling adoption rejections, failed embryo transfers and miscarriages.

‘Having children is the best decision I ever made – I’m a very proud single dad by choice’ Nathan said.

Single dad Nathan had his three children via surrogate (Picture: Jam Press/@singledaddybychoice)

Nathan, who is from Alberta, Canada, first decided that he wanted to become a single dad in 2010.

But he was met with fierce negativity from those around him and faced rejection from adoption and foster agencies.

‘For years I focused on travel and work, waiting for the “right person” to come into my life so we could be parents together, but I knew I wanted to be a father more than anything.’ he said

Becoming a Dad came with a massive financial price tag, costing over £285,000 for fertility treatments and expenses. But Nathan said: ’I have no regrets – to me, becoming a father is priceless.’

The family celebrating Nathan’s birthday in matching outfits. (Credits: Jam Press/@singledaddybychoice)

It wasn’t an easy journey though ‘After six surrogates and three egg donors and 10 embryo transfers, my first daughter Nanette was born via my sixth gestational surrogate.’ he said

Nanette, is now six years old and his son, Newton, turned three in May, while youngest daughter, Neptune Nina, will be three in August.

All three children were conceived via three different surrogates.

Nathan’s toddlers Newton and Neptune Nina were born just three months apart and often get mistaken for twins (Credits: Jam Press/@singledaddybychoice)

‘People come over to me and tell me I am crazy, but I always take the opportunity to educate people.’

He says having three children as a single dad is often met with comments that give him the opportunity to put right the stereotypes around dads.

‘People will come up to me and say: “Oh is it Dad’s weekend to babysit?” and that is honestly so offensive to any father, in a relationship or not. We’re not babysitters’ he explains.

Nathan’s eldest daughter Nanette was born after six surrogates, three egg donors and 10 embryo transfers (Credits: Jam Press/@singledaddybychoice)

‘Sometimes people will say I’m so ‘brave’ to do this by myself, but I am perfectly capable, as a single male parent, to be able to love and raise kids.’

Nathan has travelled the world with his brood and says he loved getting to share his favourite places and things with them.

‘I’ve had to become more organised than ever but I couldn’t imagine not doing these things with my little family that I strived so hard to create.’

Nathan says that he was so lucky to have the help of two tandem surrogates, as his two children are often mistaken as twins.

Natha loves travelling the world with his children and showing them his favourite things (Credits: Jam Press/@singledaddybychoice)

Celebrating Father’s Day this weekend, Nathan added: ‘It has taken more than a decade to complete my family but when I look at my children, I know it was all worth it.’

Nathan says that being a father is a ‘dream come true’ and one he couldn’t have done without his surrogates – so every Father’s Day he contacts them all to say thank you.

‘My children are here because of their generosity and love and I have so much gratitude to the women who have helped me.’

Nathan is also the founder and managing director of Proud Fertility – a surrogacy and egg donation consultancy in Canada.

He said ‘I hope that by sharing my story I will inspire other single men who want to become fathers to explore all their options.’

When asked about his dating life, Nathan says there is no one special in his life – except for his kids – but he is open to the possibility of meeting someone.

He said ‘I am still very single but I would welcome someone into our lives, if they fit our very unique puzzle.’

Right now though, his children are his priority and he couldn’t be happier

‘I have a full house and a full heart and I am completely outnumbered, but I am beyond blessed.’

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