As you wait to adopt your child, you might find yourself struggling with anger. Some people will tell you that it is not okay for you to feel angry. However, whether or not you “should” feel it, your reality is that anger bubbles up sometimes, and that’s okay.

There is a lot to be angry about when you are waiting to adopt. While you might direct your anger in many directions, the real culprit that is causing your anger is life itself. Life can be unfair. If you are infertile, life has denied you the fundamental... more

As Mother’s Day approaches, your emotions will likely be all over the map. One day, you might feel okay. The next you might feel angry. Then you might feel hopeless, out of control, or sad. You might feel different emotions on different days, or you might feel several emotions at one time. All of this is normal. The most important thing to remember is that it is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. Express and honor your feelings in safe (non-destructive) ways, and they will pass faster.

Emotions are meant... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

10. Lean on your faith.

When you are in pain is the perfect time to lean on your faith. Faith helps you to see a bigger picture and to find value and purpose in your struggles. I do not believe that God “causes” the painful things that happen in our lives. (I definitely do not believe that I was “divinely sterilized” for some greater... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

9. Spend quality time with your spouse.

Infertility and the adoption process can take a toll on a marriage. Spending time nurturing your relationship with your spouse is very important as you wait for your child to join your family. Parenting is hard work, so the stronger the foundation is for your marriage, the stronger... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

8. Confide in a good friend that you are struggling.

Unfortunately, not every person in your life is going to be perceptive. If you hold your feelings too close to the vest, then some of the people in your life might not realize just how badly you are hurting. Opening up to one or two close friends can bring you the comfort... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

7. Plan activities that you enjoy.

Now is a great time to do something fun for yourself. Whenever you go through a painful phase of your life, it is easy to forget that life is supposed to have joy in it. We slip into a mindset of “I will be happy when…” and forget that the only time we have is now.... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

6. Brainstorm coping strategies for when you are blindsided.

Now is the time to brainstorm coping strategies – before you are blindsided with the pain of Mother’s Day. When the pain of your infertility and/or unmet need to parent is triggered, you do not have time to think about the best way to respond;... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

5. Set aside time to grieve.

No matter what you do, your heart is going to be heavy around Mother’s Day. There is simply no way to get around this. While the rest of the world is celebrating the joys of motherhood, your arms remain empty. Being denied motherhood when you desperately want to become a mother is painful enough. Having the... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

4. Give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel.

Unfortunately, Western society is not very supportive of expressing painful emotions. It is okay to express happiness and sometimes okay to express anger, but expressing sadness is not encouraged. As the saying goes, “Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry, and you cry... more

From How to Survive Mother's Day (Top Ten List)...

3. Make plans for Mother’s Day that take you away from the hoopla.

If you and your spouse have been thinking about taking a trip, Mother’s Day weekend is the perfect time to do it. May is warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities in many places, and the change of location can get you away from the Mother’s... more