9. Why don’t you try…..

Unsolicited advice….. it seems so innocent at the time. Readers have blessed me with their thoughts and struggles with infertility, but there is always one common issue. They all have had emotions triggered by those that just want to offer simple advice that will be the answer to their friends’ struggles. I shared in a previous post that a nurse asked me if we were going to adopt right after our last IVF trial. I was struggling day to day let alone knowing anything about what we were going to do in the future. If a friend shared they are having trouble or are unable to conceive, the best thing you can do is listen. Support them and give them time. It is not ok to suggest IVF to a perfect stranger. She may have already done so; and it didn’t work, has health issues preventing it, or simply can’t afford it. The same goes for adoption…. these are not easy options and can take their own emotional toll on a person.

This blog has been such a blessing in so many ways. I had no idea how much support I would get from friends and even perfect strangers. I encourage you to share these posts as you never know when you may have someone silently struggling in your circle. If you have thoughts to share, I would love to read them.

7. Your house is so clean…..

Clearly you do not have kids. That’s right I don’t. However, my house does get dirty just like everyone else’s. Chances are I had just wiped a weeks worth of my dog’s nose art off the window just before you came over. Once again, it is pointing out the obvious that brings up painful reminders. One friend said she had waited so long to be able to say she had extra laundry. She came home from a long work week and was ecstatic when she saw the pile of laundry. It meant her life had changed. It meant that her dream had come true. So if your friend ever comes to you with news that her life is about to change, there is no need to point out the obvious. There is no need to tell her that her house is about to get messier or that she is about to get busier or that her life is going to drastically change…..she has probably been dreaming about just those things for a very long time.