Talking about NFP to parents

[silicasandra]

See that’s the thing. I’m not married in fact I have just started University and am only 18. The subject only came up when she questioned my choice to become catholic. About how I was going to deal with pregnancies when I was older without the use of contraception or abortion.

Besides the book I mentioned (if you want to go more in depth with it), you could just have a quick response: “Well, don’t you want to be a grandma? ”

And if she pushes it, you can say something like, “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll be responsible.” After that point, it’s really not her business how you are being responsible.

I think a lot of parents wished their children had your mindset about things! Most of us have to be convinced.

 

[Poetpeace]

Well I am responsible and am not the type to ever sleep about, let alone before I am in a committed marriage.

Plus, for me, when I went on the Pill for medical reasons a few years back, I found it changed me. I was less emotional, I didn’t feel like me and I felt like it screwed up my system.

And the best thing that helped? (not that My mother would understand) Prayer. And lots of it.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Considering she started the thread, I would think the OP knows how babies are made. I would also think her mother does as well.

It’s not about making Babies, but About NFP to Mom, how to Naturally not have babies.

 

[AntalKalnoky]

Well I am responsible and am not the type to ever sleep about, let alone before I am in a committed marriage.

Plus, for me, when I went on the Pill for medical reasons a few years back, I found it changed me. I was less emotional, I didn’t feel like me and I felt like it screwed up my system.

And the best thing that helped? (not that My mother would understand) Prayer. And lots of it.

 

[PennyinCanada]

I came into the church in my 20’s when still single, and my mother cried about the 20 children I was going to have. In her time growing up, there were families that had over 10, so that was a real concern to her. When I got engaged, that really was bothering her.

Let her know that grandchildren will be the new love of her life and she’ll be a very proud grandma, going on about them to her friends until they want to run away! Don’t forget the big smile when you say that too! Keep in mind a subject she loves to talk about when you change the subject!

Welcome home. The world is bankrupt of true love as our Lord has shown us. Continue forward and know many of us have been in your shoes with gasping and appalled family members. They’ll get over it.

 

[domandcarols]

Best way to start with discussing NFP to an atheist (from my perspective) would be as follows:

1. Condoms are yucky, and break or slip easily, so are not particularly effective. the Cap similarly horrible.
2. Chemical contraceptives have lots of side effects & I don’t want to be on drugs… there is also a lack of research on the effects of such drugs on the next generation when conceived while taking such drugs (by accident) or shortly after stopping them
3. I believe killing is wrong - All forms of “contraceptive” which prevent implantation of a fertilised embryo is a form of murder. (where murder is the premeditated taking of a human life). this rules out coils & IUD’s, morning after pill, and many forms of chemical contraceptive which will cause “spontaneous” abortions if their contraceptive effect fails to prevent fertilisation.

I plan to use a method (insert name of choice here: e.g. the Billings Method) which is natural, drug free, non medical and has been proven in clinical trials to be just as effective as most chemical methods, & better than barrier methods alone at allowing me to plan my family.

On a similar but related point I would challenge you:

are you resorting to NFP for “Serious reasons, for a limited time and with sadness” or are you automatically using it because the “World” tells us we should carefully plan our families and only have a small number of children?

Examples of Serious reasons may include:
extreme financial hardship (as opposed to simply not being in as luxurious a home as you would desire)
medical reasons: e.g. it’s considered medically dangerous to conceive within a year of having a C-Section

I recommend you read Familiaris Consortio and Humanae Vitae

Great post.