December 16, 2020 Adoption Choices of Missouri

6 Ways to Find Support as a Birth Mother During the Holidays

The holiday season can be a stressful one for many people, even during a regular year. Add in a pandemic and stress levels can shoot through the roof. There is constant activity and a heightened pressure to appear joyful, regardless of how you may actually feel. If you are a birth mother who has gone through the adoption process with your child, you may be experiencing a unique set of intense emotions. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone.

There are many reasons that birth mothers may experience feelings of stress or sadness during the holidays. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by the emotional decisions that accompany placing your baby for adoption in Missouri. Maybe you are a birth mother who is experiencing symptoms of Postpartum Depression and looking for support. You might be facing feelings of grief or loss or asking yourself many “what if” questions. Whatever your reason for seeking help, Adoption Choices of Missouri is here to support you all year round.

There are many avenues to find support as a birth mother during the holidays. Here are 6 ways to find adoption support:

1. Confide in Friends or Family

If you have supportive friends or family, turning to them for comfort can be helpful during the holidays. Discussing what is bothering you can relieve some of the burden of carrying heavy emotions inside. Participating in safe activities, such as outdoor walks, can also help focus your thoughts elsewhere. If this isn’t possible where you live, take the time to arrange a ZOOM call with your loved ones.

2. Contact Your Child’s Adoptive Family

If you have chosen an open adoption, contacting your child and his or her adoptive family can provide reassurance. If you are struggling with questions about how your child is experiencing the holidays, a brief check-in can answer those for you. Seeing that your child is loved and happy during this time may relieve any sense of worry that you may have.

3. Join a Support Group

There are many support groups dedicated to creating a safe space for birth mothers to connect and share their feelings. If you are experiencing heavy emotions during the holidays, seeking a support group may help. It can be comforting to confide in others who may share a similar experience. Take some time to search support groups in your area and choose one that sounds the most welcoming and safe to you.

4. Read Stories by Other Birth Mothers

Literature often helps us feel connected to people we have never met. It is a way to find support without having to leave the comfort of your home. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your feelings with others, reading stories or articles written by other birth mothers can still provide you with the connection you may need. Knowing that other women may have been through similar difficult times – an unplanned pregnancy, choosing adoption, walking the adoption journey – can be inspiring and comforting. You might also discover some useful tips that helped them through their own adoption process that you can try yourself.

5. Ask Your Adoption Caseworker for Help

Your adoption caseworker is there to support you throughout the adoption process in Missouri. If you are an expecting mother or have recently placed your baby for adoption, reach out to your adoption caseworker for help during tough emotional times. He or she will do their best to lend you the help and comfort that you need.

6. Check In with Your Adoption Agency

Adoption Choices of Missouri is open throughout the holidays. If you are experiencing emotional difficulties, please come visit our adoption agency. We are happy to support you in any way that we can.

Finding Support as a Birth Mother during the Holidays

At Adoption Choices of Missouri, we understand that the holidays can bring up complicated emotions for birth mothers. It is our goal to make you feel as comfortable and safe as possible throughout every step of your adoption journey. We are here to help you find the support that you need as a birth mother during the holiday season.

Adoption Choices of Missouri serves birth parents statewide and beyond, please call us or text us to learn more! Call us toll free at 877-903-4488 or, in Missouri call or text us at 1-816-527-9800

Meet the Author: Molly Doyle is a native San Franciscan, Molly is an experienced educator and a dedicated writer. She holds her multiple subject teaching credential as well as her Masters of Arts in Teaching. When not teaching children or creating new written pieces, Molly can be found kicking around a soccer ball, going for urban hikes or whipping up a fruit pie.