Coping with Mother's Day and Father's Day

Here are a few suggestions:

• Give up any and all feelings of guilt for how you are feeling! There is no right or wrong way to experience Mother or Father’s Day.
• Know your limits and stick with them. If attending a family gathering is too painful, then don’t. You can still write a caring letter to your parent letting them know how you feel about them. If you do feel comfortable attending a family gathering, then do.
• Plan to do something that is unrelated to parenting.
• Attend religious services if you are comfortable knowing that the focus may be on mother’s or fathers. Perhaps you can ask your religious leader to say a prayer for those who have not yet achieved parenthood or are dealing with some other sort of crisis.
• Plan for how you will answer uninvited questions about how you are feeling. Remember, you are not required to tell them your entire “story!”
• Communicate with your partner to let him/her know of your feelings. Even if you and your partner are feeling differently about Mother’s or Father’s Day, it may help to share. If you are single, call a friend with whom you feel safe to share your feelings.
• If you think it might be helpful, please call the clinic and set up an appointment with me, at no charge. Our number is 415-834-3000.

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