728x90
my iParenting
From Our Sponsors
e-newsletters
Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters

new terms of use
new privacy policy
award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Home › Articles › Considering Pregnancy › Telling Family to Butt out of Your Reproductive Life!

Telling Family to Butt out of Your Reproductive Life!

Who Controls Your Future Fertility?

By Marie-Helen Goyetche

Pages:  1  2  3  

"Here's to the bride and groom! May they make me the proudest grandfather on earth."

The beginning of her father's toast will forever stay in Heather Kent's* mind. "It was on our wedding day at the supper," she says. "Why did he say that? I never told anyone I was pregnant – I wasn't. In fact, after being together for four years, Paul and I had only decided to get married. We never mentioned children."

Michelle Swanson* understands Kent's confusion. "For 13 years, we just politely told my parents, 'Not yet' or 'We're not ready' – in other words, 'Butt out' – while I seethed at their colossal nerve," she says. "By the time I finally did get pregnant, I was so ticked off at my mother for years of nagging that I didn't tell her until my 6th month."

Many couples get married and have never thought of whether they'll become parents, but well-meaning friends and family push the subject from day one. If you and your spouse intend to have children right away, it won't affect you so much. Eventually, you might feel the pressure or anxiousness from them through their subtle hints.

If you have decided not to have any children or would rather wait a few years, these questions will start to affect you and your spouse. It may place additional pressure on your relationship. So how do you deal with well-meaning, but not-minding-their-own-business family and friends?

Distance
Future grandparents, uncles, aunts and extended family think it's their right to become and act out these roles. But when the baby has a fever of 104 degrees at 4 a.m., will your well-meaning family and friends be available? Letting pressure from family and friends sway your decision could be a big mistake. Having a child is not just an eight-hour commitment; it's 24 hours a day for life. Regardless of how the rest of the family feels, Mom and Dad must be sure of and ready for the decision to be parents.


Pages:  1  2  3  

Want to see more?

Comments

There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to add a comment.

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.