The end-of-year holidays are supposed to be a joyous time, filled with celebrations and gatherings with loved ones. However, for anyone struggling with infertility, the holidays – with their inevitable focus on children – are all too often a painful reminder of the difficulty to have children.

We hope that these tips will help make your holiday season a little easier.

Don’t feel obligated to attend events and family gatherings. Family get-togethers or parties hosted by well-intentioned friends often involve small children, not to mention individuals and couples announcing pregnancy news. It’s OK to say “no” to such invitations. Consider planning your own gathering with childless friends or plan an out-of-town getaway with your spouse, partner or friends instead, where you can celebrate the holidays in your own way and create meaningful, positive memories together.

Plan ahead. If your fertility treatments mean you are on a special diet, consider preparing and bringing your own diet-friendly dish to get-togethers. Doing so will ensure you have something you enjoy eating and can help limit feelings that you’re depriving yourself of holiday goodies.

Consider taking a break from fertility treatments. Taking a short break from fertility treatments during the stress of the holiday season may be something else to consider. Some couples find that taking some time off from their treatments helps them better manage their emotions and stress, so they can start anew after the craziness of the holidays has died down.

Give yourself permission to own your emotions. Sometimes, people who are dealing with infertility believe they must wear smiles and adopt forced cheer throughout the holiday season. Understand that it’s OK to feel sad, resentful, angry, or frustrated. Allow yourself to experience those feelings in the moment. Take time for self-care and relaxation, which can help you deal with the added emotions and stress the holiday season can bring.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your friends and loved ones to tell them what you’re feeling. Doing so can help others be more aware of behaviors and comments that, while well-intentioned, could inadvertently make you miserable during what is supposed to be the most joyous time of year.

To learn about how The Surrogacy Law Center helps protect individuals and couples who want to realize their dreams of becoming parents, contact us today