It's easy to think that holidays are meant to be enjoyed most with children. Many holiday traditions seem to be focused on children, like putting out cookies for Santa. While children do add a special blessing to the holiday season, you don't need to have kids to create your own holiday traditions.
I think we get hung up on this idea that family always means two adults and at least one child, and we can't begin our own family traditions until we have a "real family." But family is more than that. You and your partner alone are a real family. Family can also be created by close circles of friends. It's not like "family" comes in dehydrated packets - take two adults and just add kids. It's so much more than that.
Understandably, the holiday season is difficult for the fertility challenged, especially those with primary infertility. But don't let that keep you from starting your own holiday traditions. If you keep waiting until you have kids, whether through treatments or adoption, years of your life can go by.
Why not bring some extra holiday cheer into your life now? Don't wait.
More on coping with holidays:
- Holidays without Kids: Christmas Traditions for the Childless
- Surviving Family Holiday Dinners with Infertility
- Holiday Shopping for the Fertility Challenged
- "When Will You Have Kids?" How to Respond
- Should You Tell Your Family and Friends About Your Infertility?
More on coping while trying to conceive:
