Healthy Ways to Handle the Wait
Once you become activated, the wait can seem like a lifetime. For some couples, this wait feels especially long and difficult during the holiday season when there are many reminders of family togetherness.
It is easy to get frustrated and caught up during the wait. However, you should try to maintain as normal a schedule as is possible during this busy time of year.
Try not to let the impending adoption consume you. Do things you enjoy that may be harder with a newborn. Enjoy late-night romantic dinners or going to the movies. You should even take advantage of simple things like wearing hoop earrings before you have to put them out-of-reach of tiny hands.
Many waiting adoptive parents keep a journal. This is a great way to process your emotions and record your adoption journey. You may even someday share this journal with your child to explain why you chose adoption and what your adoption journey was like.
Have a discussion with your spouse about your favorite holiday experiences and traditions. Traditions mean more to some people than others, so it’s a good idea to get on the same page before your little one comes along.
You can also channel any nervous energy through volunteering in your community. The holiday season is a great time of year to do so. Volunteer for another organization you admire, coach a children’s soccer team or teach Sunday school at your church. Volunteering helps to strengthen your community for your future child, and you’ll be serving as a great role model for your child and others.
For more tips on getting through the holiday season, including navigating family gatherings and questions about your impending adoption, read Beating the Holiday Blues!
