One unexpected side-effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has been how it has brought many adoptions screeching to a halt. Shutdowns make documentation, matching, and getting to know expectant mothers difficult and sometimes impossible. Adoptions can be frustrating under the best circumstances, but how can you cope when a pandemic has your adoption on hold?
In this article, we will provide some tips for coping when your domestic infant adoption is on hold and some steps to ensure your well being during this stressful time:
Have a Support System and Rely on Them
Humans are social creatures and isolation and quarantine times can seem very lonely, especially while waiting for a new addition to your family. A strong support system can help you through this time. Whether it is sticking to that socially distanced jog with a friend or FaceTiming family for a game of charades, this can help take your mind off dwelling on the hold and also boost your emotions with some familiar and loving faces.
Keep Clear and Consistent Communication with Your Adoption Agency
Staying informed by your adoption agency and adoption attorney can help you feel more involved in the process. Your adoption agency and attorney are great sources to reach out to if you are struggling during the hold as they can provide or point you to valuable resources available to help you.
You are not alone in this challenging time and they too are navigating the hold process. Keeping a positive and consistent point of contact between you and the agency will help the process feel more collaborative and productive all around.
Be Flexible and Adapt to Unexpected Challenges
Realize the difference between reacting and responding to challenging surprises. Evaluate how you face difficulty and how you want to respond to difficulty. Make a personal plan for yourself to implement your own vision of productive response to challenges. Try establishing small ways that you can adapt in your daily life and slowly, flexibility can become more natural to you.
Flexibility is very crucial during these uncertain times. Observe your feelings regarding change and how those around you are adapting themselves. Seek out counsel or comfort from trusted support systems to help you in your implementation of flexibility and positivity in your routine.
Prioritize Your Own Mental and Physical Health
Recognize your own strength and adaptability is a reason to celebrate yourself during this time. Your own mental and physical health should be a priority and self care is possibly one of the most important things you could do now. Your own self care will take some personal reflection and is different for everyone. It can take the form of an at home spa day, reading a new book, or bingeing a favorite comfort tv show. It can mean baking or learning a new hobby like crocheting.
This can also be a valuable time to reset, refocus, and strengthen the existing relationships at home, such as that with your partner. When you are feeling healthy and happy, then this hold process can seem a lot less lonely and stressful.
