J
jhutch1
Guest
Hello!
I am looking for some insight into NFP. I am a 40 year old mother to 3 children, ages 11, 9 and 5. Up until 1+ years ago my husband and I chose let nature take its course and this meant sometimes abstaining and sometimes not.
After the birth of my 3rd child, we did much more abstaining than not. About a year ago, the idea of NFP popped in my head and I mentioned this to my husband. We took a class and have continued to use NFP since. My main reason for wanting to go to NFP classes was because I didn’t think it was right for us to continue to abstain and did not think that was what God was calling us to do. I want to be a good wife to my husband and do not want to lead him to sin in any way.
Our main thought while taking NFP classes was to use NFP to avoid pregnancy, with the understanding that if God decided that it was time to have another, we would both be open to that plan as well. Again I am not using NFP to get pregnant but my whole purpose for not using contraception is because I want to follow God’s plan and the Catholic Church.
Just recently I became more enlightened on the need for just or serious reasons to use NFP. My main reasons for using it is numerous. 1. I work full time as a teacher and have 3 kids to take care of at home as well. I find myself wanting to shut everyone out when I get home, as teaching simply is very emotionally draining. If I’m honest, I have a hard time wanting to “hang out” with my own kids when I get home and am currently working on being a more involved mother. 2. I have a lot of anxiety and scrupulous issues. Sometimes taking care of myself is difficult. Babies in general cause me a lot of anxiety and I’m not sure I’m very good at taking care of them. 3. I am 40 and while age isn’t everything it does create some anxiety about having a baby at this stage in my life. 4. I am finishing my Master’s degree this semester and am looking to possibly change teaching positions next year, using the new degree I will obtain. 5. I have hashimotos thyroid disorder. While my levels are being regulated with pills, during my pregnancies levels can go all over the place, with my 3rd pregnancy I ended up having lots of heart palpitations and cardio tests done as a result, which again leads to anxiety and stress.
I have asked a priest about these issues and his response was "you have already shown a desire to have a family and your current hesitance is in regard to your health and age, as well as the proper care of the children with which God has already blessed you. You readily admit a desire to be open to providence if God should desire that you have a larger family. Given all that you have told me, I see no problem with your use of NFP. "
What is your take on these thoughts? I don’t want to place myself in a situation of mortal sin.
Thanks!
I am looking for some insight into NFP. I am a 40 year old mother to 3 children, ages 11, 9 and 5. Up until 1+ years ago my husband and I chose let nature take its course and this meant sometimes abstaining and sometimes not.
After the birth of my 3rd child, we did much more abstaining than not. About a year ago, the idea of NFP popped in my head and I mentioned this to my husband. We took a class and have continued to use NFP since. My main reason for wanting to go to NFP classes was because I didn’t think it was right for us to continue to abstain and did not think that was what God was calling us to do. I want to be a good wife to my husband and do not want to lead him to sin in any way.
Our main thought while taking NFP classes was to use NFP to avoid pregnancy, with the understanding that if God decided that it was time to have another, we would both be open to that plan as well. Again I am not using NFP to get pregnant but my whole purpose for not using contraception is because I want to follow God’s plan and the Catholic Church.
Just recently I became more enlightened on the need for just or serious reasons to use NFP. My main reasons for using it is numerous. 1. I work full time as a teacher and have 3 kids to take care of at home as well. I find myself wanting to shut everyone out when I get home, as teaching simply is very emotionally draining. If I’m honest, I have a hard time wanting to “hang out” with my own kids when I get home and am currently working on being a more involved mother. 2. I have a lot of anxiety and scrupulous issues. Sometimes taking care of myself is difficult. Babies in general cause me a lot of anxiety and I’m not sure I’m very good at taking care of them. 3. I am 40 and while age isn’t everything it does create some anxiety about having a baby at this stage in my life. 4. I am finishing my Master’s degree this semester and am looking to possibly change teaching positions next year, using the new degree I will obtain. 5. I have hashimotos thyroid disorder. While my levels are being regulated with pills, during my pregnancies levels can go all over the place, with my 3rd pregnancy I ended up having lots of heart palpitations and cardio tests done as a result, which again leads to anxiety and stress.
I have asked a priest about these issues and his response was "you have already shown a desire to have a family and your current hesitance is in regard to your health and age, as well as the proper care of the children with which God has already blessed you. You readily admit a desire to be open to providence if God should desire that you have a larger family. Given all that you have told me, I see no problem with your use of NFP. "
What is your take on these thoughts? I don’t want to place myself in a situation of mortal sin.
Thanks!