I think every Catholic mother who uses NFP or who has several children in rapid succession has their own story of strange things people have the audacity to say regarding family planning. I'm really sure I'm not alone. But I feel the need to vent to the cosmos about my share in this awkward phenomenon.
About a year ago, I attended the funeral of a friend. I had C with me, who remained mercifully silent, and J was staying at another friend's house. After the service, as I stood by the main entrance of the church, another person I knew decided to make small talk. Heaven help us. "So, now that you have a boy and a girl, you're gonna get your tubes tied, right?" Yep. Right there in front of God and everybody. Only because I believe this person is actually mentally challenged did I keep my composure and simply say something to the affect of "Well, you never know..." and smile and walk away.
I share this because, as of this evening, I have a new one to add to my repertoire. A friend of S's family was introduced to us this evening; pregnant me and the 2 extra-utero kids. I kid thee not, she told me, "Oh! The Pope'll love you! The Pope is always saying 'you can't do this' and ' you can't use that' and 'keep havin' babies' but he doesn't help pay for them!"
I think I smiled, but I may have been stuck with a "deer in the headlights" look.
I find it interesting that nobody seems to tell women with few enough kids or sufficiently well-spaced enough kids that they must have found a winning brand of condoms or that prescription for BC must really be working. Not that I am suggesting in the least that such things be said to anybody. It just boggles the mind what some people feel free to say.
About a year ago, I attended the funeral of a friend. I had C with me, who remained mercifully silent, and J was staying at another friend's house. After the service, as I stood by the main entrance of the church, another person I knew decided to make small talk. Heaven help us. "So, now that you have a boy and a girl, you're gonna get your tubes tied, right?" Yep. Right there in front of God and everybody. Only because I believe this person is actually mentally challenged did I keep my composure and simply say something to the affect of "Well, you never know..." and smile and walk away.
I share this because, as of this evening, I have a new one to add to my repertoire. A friend of S's family was introduced to us this evening; pregnant me and the 2 extra-utero kids. I kid thee not, she told me, "Oh! The Pope'll love you! The Pope is always saying 'you can't do this' and ' you can't use that' and 'keep havin' babies' but he doesn't help pay for them!"
I think I smiled, but I may have been stuck with a "deer in the headlights" look.
I find it interesting that nobody seems to tell women with few enough kids or sufficiently well-spaced enough kids that they must have found a winning brand of condoms or that prescription for BC must really be working. Not that I am suggesting in the least that such things be said to anybody. It just boggles the mind what some people feel free to say.