*How do you know when you are done having kids? Is it some kind of "sign" you get? Is one partner just a little more down to earth and knows when to call it quits? I seriously used to think people that said "We're just leaving it up to God" (or something like that) we're crazy! Really!? How do you just "leave that?" Have 10+ kids? But, I was looking at someone's family pic. the other day that uses this philosophy and thought to myself, "Maybe they aren't that crazy. How could they deny any of those kids life?" So, I'm pretty sure I'm still not at just leaving it alone forever....but HOW, WHEN, WHAT is going to let me know when there's enough? (OH...and W is already at the "enough" point....I just am not)
*....in the mean time, I'm stuck with this huge issue with birth control! Fortunately, I haven't had to worry about anything this whole year with breastfeeding (yes, I know that's not really that reliable), but as the boys wean-this will become an issue. :-( I will NOT use any chemical forms of anything. I think doctors don't tell people the whole truth about this stuff (pills, shots, IUD, etc.) I started doing research about 7 years ago and that's when I made up my mind that I will never take anything. You see, when something releases chemicals into your body as contraception it's not keeping you from getting pregnant. What's happening is the lining of the uterus is being destroyed so that there is no way for an embryo to implant. If an egg did get fertilized (baby) then there is no environment for it to survive in. Yes, technically it is supposed to keep you from ovulating...but that isn't always the case! I'm sure you, as well as I, know people who have gotten pregnant while on the Pill. (this would also mean in their cases it did not destroy the lining). So...for all those who had both fail (egg release & healthy uterine lining), how often is it just destroying the lining and not preventing the egg from releasing? Knowing that I could potentially ovulate, create baby, and then have no where for it to implant is just not okay with me.
*Which brings me to my 3rd point. IF churches are so PRO LIFE, and believe that fertilization=conception=life=baby, then why does no one speak up about birth control? How can a church that TRULY feels this way, recommend people get on birth control? I can see telling them about barrier methods, sympto-thermal methods, etc...but chemical? It just doesn't make any sense to me! I am not Catholic, but as far as I know that is the only church that actually takes a stand on this issue. Seems to me churches take the easy way out on this one! It's easy to say you are "Pro Life," but to practice that down to it's core is something totally different.
I think that's about all my thoughts. Sure, I could elaborate more-but I already feel better getting that out. :-) If you have any wonderful insight on any of this, some thoughtful answers, or anything else you'd like to say...feel free to leave a comment. My only request is that you let me know who you are. Anonymous comments don't count. haha.
4 comments:
I like the way you think... and make other people think. I'm WAY past that decision in my life but you always give me something to ponder and I appreciate that! I'm going to be a Grandma in June and wish my daughter were thinking only half as much as you do-lol! Debbie
I agree Erin! I have never used "birth control" in terms of a pill, just go by the calendar...cycle. Why do I choose this, well my Aunt had a stroke at a very young age and they attributed it to the birth control pill that she was using. Not many doctors tell you that either. I agree with the whole stance too about the Catholic church, being the only one that takes a stand on life and I too wonder about the stance other churches take on the whole birth control issue too! It is kind of crazy. I heard someone say that the Muslim world and believers are going to take over b/c Christians are not producing more Christians in terms of raising "more" believers aka children.
Amen Sister. 100% on board with everything you said...and people do think we are crazy, just as we used to think. :)
I agree about not using chemical birth control methods that prevent "pregnancy" - not conception. But I think it's more of an education, or lack of education, issue among Christians. If most pro-life advocates understood how it works, they would likely use other methods.
As far as how many to have... I have a brother and sisters with big families, and I think it's great. Josh and I, on the other hand, are limiting it to two due to my pregnancy complications (though adoption isn't out of the question in the future). But I also know a couple who are having their fourth child, live in a two bedroom trailer, and receive massive amounts of government assistance. They are Catholic and say that if God wants them to stop having children, he will simply keep her from getting pregnant. God doesn't always work in the supernatural... I'm pretty sure that God created us to be rational, thinking individuals who, by His leading and our own God-given intelligence, can make a decision about when to stop having children.
But it is definately something to think about. And while the Duggars don't have a life I would want, they love their kids, provide for them, raise them with values and morals, and have every right in the world to have 19 children. But can you imagine living that way?! Uggh!
Jenny Welte
Oh... and I read about the boys not drinking from sippy cups... Samuel didn't either. I tried all sorts of different lids, but nothing seemed to work until he was old enough that I could explain to him - you're using the sippy cup in the car or you're not having a drink! He actually drank from and open cup first, then from a straw, then a sippy cup (but only when neccessary).
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