There’s no better time than pregnancy to bombard a pregnant woman with well meaning advice? It could be simple things like you should breastfeed or don’t eat such and such while your pregnant. But then as the bigger issues of an unplanned pregnancy come into the play, the well meaning advice becomes more often and of course, more well meaning.

It’s overwhelming and can be very hard at times to deal with all this advice, especially when you know it is well meaning and heartfelt. I mean in general, people want to help each other and be helpful, right? So I’d like to think that the majority of this advice is meant to be helpful. However, it might not be helpful to us and we may feel overwhelmed by the advice.

If you are going to a family gathering during this holiday season, chances are you are going to be hearing some well meaning advice.

Here are a few tips on how to handle that well meaning advice!

Listen first
It’s natural to be defensive if you feel that someone is judging you; but chances are you are not being criticized; rather, the other person is sharing what they feel to be valuable insight. Try to listen - you may just learn something valuable.

Disregard
If you know that there is no convincing the other person to change her mind, simply smile, nod, and make a non-committal response, such as, “Interesting!” Then go about your own business...your way.

Educate the other person
If you are considering adoption, your “teacher” may act like he/she knows more than you do about the subject. Chances are if you are reading here, you are doing your homework. Refer to a study, repot, or blog that you have read.

Search out like-minded friends
Exactly what you are doing by reading the blogs! But check out the forums and other groups of expectant mothers who have survived unplanned pregnancies and either parented or placed their children and see how they dealt with it.

For more tips on how to deal with unwanted, yet well meaning advice (and the source), click here.

Related Posts
Dealing with Family Dinners while in an Unplanned Pregnancy at the Holidays

Telling Your Parents you are Pregnant at the Holidays