Is it okay for us to delay getting pregnant?

[ryanandrita]

Me and my wife are trying to become better catholics, but we just came to a bump in the road. we have 2 children and are talking of a third. We were planing on trying this month when got home from training but now she says she wants to wait until Feb. Does this make practicing NFP wrong because we want to embrace the gift of God by conceiving a new life but she wants to hold off until we are back home together in Feb. I feel that if we’re willing in 2 months then how can 2 months change so much? She says its cause she doesn’t know what she will do taking care of 2 girls (3 years and 9 months) while being pregnant while I’m in school for 6 weeks after we try to conceive a new child. What should we do? Are we using NFP for reasons that don’t qualify as a just reason or do we just skip the fact that we were okay but now one is not okay for trying in this month and hold off tell Feb? Please help!

thank you
Ryan

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

It seems to me that waiting until February would be a good idea. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2368) states:

For just reasons, spouses may wish to space the births of their children. It is their duty to make certain that their desire is not motivated by selfishness but is in conformity with the generosity appropriate to responsible parenthood.

Waiting to get pregnant until February when you are back home and available to assist in caring for the children seems not only justifiably reasonable but also the responsible thing to do.

See also: What are acceptable reasons for avoiding pregnancy?