Are there any survival strategies for coping with infertility “during the holidays”?
The holidays can be stressful for anyone…many people dread the holidays, but they can be particularly difficult for infertility couples. The holiday ‘hype’ is often focused on kids and family…leaving you vulnerable to frustrating family dynamics. At holiday gatherings, well-meaning friends or family members often inquire about a couple’s plans for having children, not knowing about their fertility struggles. In other situations, if they are aware of a couple’s fertility problems, they are often at a loss as to how to behave or what to say. Honest discussion about your emotions and fertility problems may lessen some of the awkwardness.
The holidays can be stressful for anyone…many people dread the holidays, but they can be particularly difficult for infertility couples. The holiday ‘hype’ is often focused on kids and family…leaving you vulnerable to frustrating family dynamics. At holiday gatherings, well-meaning friends or family members often inquire about a couple’s plans for having children, not knowing about their fertility struggles. In other situations, if they are aware of a couple’s fertility problems, they are often at a loss as to how to behave or what to say. Honest discussion about your emotions and fertility problems may lessen some of the awkwardness. Here are several coping strategies that may help: • One way to alleviate the stress of painful holiday family gatherings is to stay home…. don’t go. Avoiding painful family situations may lead to other problems, but in fact may be the best solution under certain circumstances (i.e. a recent failed IVF attempt). Decline invitations if you think it will be
