Are you reading this in the bathroom?
Did you make some excuse to sneak back to and barricade yourself in the guest room?
Are you out for a “run”?
No judgment here. I have done my share of escaping and hiding over holiday weekends in attempts to get away from the hurtful comments and unhelpful suggestions (unintentional and otherwise) and try desperately to regain my composure before marching back into the fray.
Those voices say:
“When are you going to start having babies?”
“Am I never going to get grandchildren?!”
“Why don’t you just adopt?”
“Time for the family photo!”
Take a deep breath. Now…I want you to hear my voice:
You are enough.
You are beautiful.
You are loved.
You are not alone.
Resources are available for you: Put out a call for support in the Comments here; we’re good at commiserating and encouraging. Read old posts for ideas on how to get through the tough days. Visit the Life Without Baby Facebook page. Reach out to others in Forums and Discussions. (It’s free. Click on the Community link in the menu above to sign up.) Call an understanding friend. Hang in there. xoKathleen
Kathleen; let me add
You are powerful !!!
You are a wonderful creation!!!
Love it !!!!
Yes! 🙂
Thank you Kathleen – this is so spot on – just what I needed to hear during my trying days – and surprisingly wonderful to read even now (with a number of years behind me) and my hiding days over – well not over but enough time has passed and we don’t attend these gatherings anymore. We created our new Christmas 3 years ago and head off to the Mountains and ski and snowboard the season away! I think thanksgiving is much like the UK Christmas and Boxing Day. Still on red alert for the office “are you all ready for Christmas comment – just today” and no-one asked. It will come and I’m prepared “yes thanks they’ve just had a huge snowfall in France – yipee”. After 20 years – I finally believe it – I’m enough. Thank you for reminding me though – I still ask my husband and I see him ruffle!