May is Foster Care Awareness Month, and while adoption gets the most attention in the infertility world, foster care is also an option for those looking to parent a child. Foster care isn't for everyone, but for those it fits, the experience can be life changing - and not just for the child. Also for you.
To learn more about foster care, check out these articles from the Guide to Adoption and Foster Care, Carrie Craft:
Mother's Day can be an emotionally sensitive day for those in the trenches of infertility and those who have been in those trenches. (You may imagine that having a child takes away the pain of Mother's Day, but for many women, it doesn't, not completely.) Just trying to avoid the over-the-top marketing that surrounds mother's day can be overwhelming.
But I was thinking today that maybe, instead of celebrating only mothers on Mother's Day, we could also celebrate those who lovingly mother others. You don't need to have biological or adopted children in order to be motherly. (Sadly, there are plenty of traditional mothers who have no idea how to mother or nurture others.)
Think back to those in your life who have mothered you. I can think of a few special women who mothered me, as a child and as an adult. I cannot imagine who I am today without their special love, care, and attention.
And I am sure you have mothered others yourself. I'd say there's a high probability that someone out there felt nurtured and cared for in a special way by you. You may not know it. But they do.
I'm not saying focusing on mothering instead of traditional motherhood will make the pain of Mother's Day disappear. But I do think it's important to recognize that you don't have to be a mom to mother another person. I think it's important to recognize how much we can impact the lives of others, regardless of whether they are our son or daughter.
So to all those women out there who have lovingly mothered others, Happy Mothering Day to you!
More on coping with infertility:
Photo (c) User andreyutzu of Stock.xchng
Today is National Infertility Survival Day, a holiday scheduled the week before Mother's Day to honor the struggle of those trying to have a family. It's a day for self-care and pampering. If you decide to celebrate, you may want to have a romantic dinner for two or take a long, long bubble bath. Or perhaps go for a massage or get a pedicure.
Will you be celebrating National Infertility Survival Day? Feel free to share your plans in the comment second below!
Read more about National Infertility Survival Day:
Starting Clomid can be an exciting time. It can also be a bit nerve wracking. Often it's something tried at the beginning of fertility treatment, which means there's a whole lot of hope along with a whole lot of questions.
I remember way, way back in 2004 when I first tried Clomid. At that point, I was being treated by a gynecologist, and had not moved onto a reproductive endocrinologist (otherwise known as a fertility doctor.) I was so hopeful it would work out. And while I did get pregnant, I ended up miscarrying.
Clomid wasn't the solution for me, but it is the solution for many infertile couples with ovulation problems or unexplained infertility. It may be your golden ticket to pregnancy.
Here are plenty of articles about Clomid, with answers to common questions:
Are you starting Clomid? If yes, be sure to share with us how you feel about getting started on Clomid here. (You can also read what others felt regarding Clomid treatment.)
Image (c) Craig Smallish / Getty Images.
