Unplanned Pregnancy, Expectant Parent Blog - Dealing with Your Family at Thanksgiving

11/21/07

Dealing with Your Family at Thanksgiving

Posted by : Coley S. in Crisis Pregnancy Blog at 10:31 pm , 378 words, 371 views
Categories: Family and Friends

Thanksgiving is a time in which we usually get together with family members or dear friends, give thanks, and eat turkey, dressing (or stuffing as some call it), cranberry sauce, and all the fixings until we are too stuffed for words! But there may be some uncomfortable moments during the giving thanks and the stuffing mouths for those of you who are experiencing unplanned pregnancies.

Every pregnant woman gets some of that unsolicited yet well meaning advice and I think many women in unplanned pregnancies may receive twice as much of that unsolicited yet well meant advice from Aunt Peggy or Uncle Jim Bob. It seems that everyone has something to say about what you should do!

While families intend to be loving sometimes they can be unintentionally hurtful. Their words or even awkward silences can hurt us. I don't think I would have wanted to have attended a Thanksgiving dinner or some other kind of large family dinner with all of my extended family in the midst of my unplanned pregnancy so if you don’t think you can handle the crowd, then politely say that you can’t handle the crowd and bail out.

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If you go and people begin to bombard you with their ideas and opinions regarding what you should do concerning this pregnancy and your decisions, then you have a few options.
You could:
A. Listen to their opinions, comments, and suggestions and just politely nod your head. Ultimately this is your decision anyways so if it’s not getting to you, let them have their say and get it out of their system.
B. Nicely yet firmly say that you appreciate their concern and suggestions but that you are thinking this over, researching your options, and making decisions and that you will let them know when you reach one.
C. Grab the pumpkin pie and run!

Seriously, this is your decision. You must make the best decision for you and your baby regardless of the opinions of your family members. It’s a decision you are going to have to live with for the rest of your life.

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Related Posts:
Dealing with the Reactions and Opinions of Friends and Family
Telling Your Parents you are Pregnant at the Holidays

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2 comments

Comments, Pingbacks:

Comment from: mandapanda [Member]

Excellent topic. I always had awkwardness because family would honestly want to know, but probably didn't say anything, or ask what they wanted to know, for fear of saying the wrong thing. Sometimes our families just love us and care about us so much, that they're afraid to say ANYTHING. Remember to do your best to remember that your family members (particularly your parents) are only human, and chances are, they haven't been where you're at... so can ya blame 'em for not always having the right words? I know I had to "lower my guard" a bit, or else just about EVERYTHING was hard to deal with. The holidays are so very emotional as it is, try not to put yourself under too much extra family stress. Great post C.

Permalink 11/22/07 @ 21:14

Comment from: Sunbonnet Sue [Member]

in our family, pumpkin pie is good. but it's the rhubarb and gooseberry pies that would be worthy of the grab and run. great post. nothing wrong with setting limits to protect your heart!

Permalink 11/23/07 @ 08:03

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