Friday, 16 December 2011

Getting through Christmas


It ought to be one of the most enjoyable times of the year, but Christmas can sometimes turn into little more than a painful reminder of what you don't have if you're trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant. Not only does the occasion itself celebrate the birth of a baby, it is also a family event with the focus firmly on children.

If you're feeling low, there are some strategies you may want to consider to help yourself through this time. It is really important to understand that you don't have to do things just because you feel you should at Christmas. If your parents or close family tend to have a big celebration with lots of children present, you don't need to be there if it is going to be very painful. You can opt to see your family before Christmas or for the New Year, and choose to spend Christmas quietly with your partner. You can stay at home, or you may even decide to go away for a few days - or to enjoy some activities you never normally have time for such as long walks in the country or even DIY at home! If you find going to the shops difficult at Christmas, do your shopping online. If you're invited to family-orientated Christmas parties, you don't need to go - choose to attend adult events instead and perhaps go to the cinema or theatre where you can enjoy an evening of your own choosing.

Don't ever feel guilty about doing this - it's not about snubbing other people, it's about self-preservation and ensuring that you can enjoy Christmas too. Close friends and family should be sympathetic to your feelings. If you do what you can to ensure you can get through Christmas without too much upset, it will help you to approach the New Year feeling invigorated with a new sense of optimism about the future.

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