Lester Tattersall Jul 6, 2019:

Well, now Judith says "the parents are still trying to decide what they will do". In that case it IS 'in limbo'. But before she said "devastated" - which definitely isn't 'in limbo'. "Estar en el limbo" (Spanish) usually means "with your head in the clouds", "distracted". But not always.

YESHWANT UMRALKAR Jul 2, 2019:

Should have the desired effect It is good that you chose Darius' answer, for you find it most suitable.
At the same time I would say it is rather long winding and lacks the punch of 'limbo' in the source text.
Use of a shorter expression might help in conveying the tenor and effect of the expression in the original text although the meaning might not be most precise but would generally convey the sense.
Just my thoughts.
Have a great day!

Judith Armele (asker) Jul 2, 2019:

Sorry for my delay in my answer. I can't tell a lot about those circumstances but it is referring to something legal that is affecting her son and the parents are still trying to decide what the will do. Sorry I cannot be more specific. And thank you all for your suggestions despite the request being so vague.

AllegroTrans Jun 30, 2019:

Asker What exactly are the "circumstances"? This might help to narrow down a few suggestions rather than us just guessing

Manuel Aburto Jun 30, 2019:

Hi Dariusz:

You're rigtht, actually I hadn't seen the other meaning:

a state or feeling of severe shock or surprise.

Darius Saczuk Jun 30, 2019:

Shellshocked - Meaning No. 2 : mentally confused, upset, or exhausted as a result of a highly stressful or disturbing and often unexpected event or experience
She was shell-shocked, reeling from her loss in Iowa and polls that showed her cratering in New Hampshire.
— Joe Klein

Manuel Aburto Jun 30, 2019:

What about limbo?

limbo /lɪm.bəʊ/ /-boʊ/ noun UNCERTAINTY


Limbo
1. [ U ] an uncertain situation that you cannot control and in which there is no progress or improvement

shell shock noun [ U ]



mental illness caused by experiences of war
He said many of the men who were shot for cowardice were in fact suffering from shell shock.