How to Cope With Being Childless on Father’s Day

For many, Father’s Day is a time to celebrate with the ones they love.  Unfortunately, for others, Father’s Day is an unwelcome reminder of the fact that they have yet to father a child.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 10 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 will have a difficult time getting pregnant.  One out of every seven couples will also struggle to get pregnant.  Infertility issues are devastating enough as it is, and being childless on Father’s Day can make the situation feel that much worse.

Of course, not every childless man is dealing with fertility issues – some men just haven’t found the right woman yet.  Others have demanding career schedules that make it seem impossible to start a family.  Regardless of the reason, being childless on Father’s Day can be depressing, especially if you wish your circumstances were different.

Two Ways to Deal With a Childless Father’s Day

Even if you feel the absence of children keenly in your life, Father’s Day doesn’t have to be a day of stress and self-pity.  Just because you don’t have children doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate the day.  In fact, Father’s Day is a great day to begin making a difference in the life of a child. Instead of spending the day alone, think about spending the day with a fatherless child.  Organizations like ‘Big Brothers, Big Sisters’ help troubled children find reliable mentors.  ‘The Boys and Girls Club of America’ and ‘Shine for Kids’ also help to connect children with positive role models.  A great mentor can make a tremendous difference in a child’s life and alter their future in a positive way.

Father’s Day is also a great day to spend with your own father.  Take your dad golfing or to a sporting event.  If you can, plan a family get-together to celebrate the day.  Every dad loves to feel appreciated on Father’s Day.  Making the day memorable for your father will go a long way in improving your feelings towards the holiday, while staying positive and counting your blessings.

Don’t Want to Be Childless? Use Father’s Day as an Opportunity to Reevaluate Your Situation

If Father’s Day is another reminder that you don’t have the family you’ve always dreamed of, you may need to reevaluate the situation.  Are you childless due to fertility issues?  If so, it may be time to begin researching different fertility treatments.  If you or your partner are infertile, begin considering child adoption.  While these options may not be easy, they will open up a world of possibilities to you that you may not have thought of before.

If you’re childless because of a busy schedule or lack of a partner, it might be time to reorganize your priorities.  It’s important to have a successful career that supports you financially.  However, having a family that loves you is even more important.  The stock market could crash and you could lose all your investments, or a job loss could cause you to lose your house.  But if you have a family, nothing short of death can separate you from them.  Children that adore you will bring you more joy than any paycheck. 

If you want this to be your last childless Father’s Day, you may need to make a few adjustments in your priorities.  Instead of spending extra time at the office, spend your time looking for a love interest or trying to expand your family.   Check out some online dating sites if you are really stuck in your ways, and see where that takes you. Just opening yourself up to the possibility of having a family may soon bring you some unexpected rewards.