Christmastime can expose couples facing fertility challenges to an acute feeling of loss in a season supposedly brimming with gain. Plus: Christmas music recommendations.
Dec 22, 2023·edited Dec 22, 2023Liked by Trevor Sides
Thank you for sharing this painful part of your story. As a single woman, I experience childlessness in a different way (I am sometimes asked, "Are you thinking about adoption?" -- and that has increased as the traditional childbearing years are behind me.) Although I think fostering and adoption are amazing ways to love children and bring some shalom to our broken world, I have discerned those paths are not something I am able to offer at this point without a partner or other relatives willing to have a strong presence in the life of the kids. I belong to a church where it's unusual for a couple to have less than 3 biological children, so pregnancy announcements come in a steady stream. I am grateful to have a large group of single friends in my community, so I definitely have support in this journey of singleness and childlessness - but all this to say, thank you. I think it's important that these stories are told. I can love and support better when I understand the struggles of those around me.
Thank you for sharing this painful part of your story. As a single woman, I experience childlessness in a different way (I am sometimes asked, "Are you thinking about adoption?" -- and that has increased as the traditional childbearing years are behind me.) Although I think fostering and adoption are amazing ways to love children and bring some shalom to our broken world, I have discerned those paths are not something I am able to offer at this point without a partner or other relatives willing to have a strong presence in the life of the kids. I belong to a church where it's unusual for a couple to have less than 3 biological children, so pregnancy announcements come in a steady stream. I am grateful to have a large group of single friends in my community, so I definitely have support in this journey of singleness and childlessness - but all this to say, thank you. I think it's important that these stories are told. I can love and support better when I understand the struggles of those around me.