"Surviving and Thriving This Christmas"

Oh, how dreaded the holidays can be when you are dealing with infertility! As extended families gather, someone else will be pregnant, questions about your family building will be inevitable, and traditions that are usually focused on and generated because of children will seem to be a part of every celebration. The holidays are about family, and the traditional family (the ones you see in advertisements, the ones you see at the stores, and the ones you will see on Christmas Day as you gather with extended family) seems to include children. It is just plain difficult to be a part of a world where you feel you don't belong. Along with Christmas trees, egg nog, and carolers come twinges of heartache.

There are many articles, books, and websites which have focused their energies providing ideas about how to survive the holidays. I even recently saw an online course devoted to ways to cope with the stress of the holidays and infertility. It is a HOT topic!!

I asked to hear about why you think the holidays are so difficult AND I asked for specific suggestions for finding joy, excitement, and a place in Christmas celebrations this year. Here is what some members of our community have been thinking about this topic--what great insights and ideas. Thanks for sharing!!

Feel free to comment and add your thoughts below.

Unopened Christmas Cards, Alisa

A Work in Progress, Tami

A Different Plan, Aundria