Infertility in Kansas City: Tips To Cope with the Holidays

In case you haven’t noticed, the holiday season is upon us. For many, this is a special time of year celebrated with family and friends.  For those that have struggled with infertility, the joy of celebrating is overshadowed with the sadness and dread of spending another family-focused/kid-focused holiday feeling sad and hopeless (maybe even a little angry).

There is always the option of just not participating in any celebration or family get together.  And frankly, sometimes that is the best option.  But for those of you that would like other suggestions on how to cope, here are a few:

1. Quit shoulding all over yourself! If you are telling yourself that you should or should not do something, feel something, or expect something, you are going to feel worse than you already do. It is reasonable to expect to feel rotten to some degree during any holiday season while you are going through such a difficult life experience.

2. Be selective about the family events you will attend, or limit how long you will be in attendance.   Again, don’t tell yourself you should or should not consider this option.  Doing so may lessen the pain you will experience from the holiday.
3. Create new traditions with your partner/spouse.  It is perfectly acceptable to do something new and/or different to celebrate a holiday season.  Any disappointment that your family, or your spouse’s family may express, may be more bearable than a roomful of children at the family gathering.

For information about family building using an egg donor or gestational surrogate, visit www.pathwaystoparenthood.com.