Yes, jealousy is wrong. But admittedly I'm green with envy over all the announcements of my friends and family who are pregnant. And I just found out one is having twins!
Some of you are thinking, "You have five. Be happy." Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy. But I'm a womb-carrying human being and I think it's okay to want to use it.
Isn't it ironic? (Boy, I'm full of songs today - Alanis Morissette, now. I'll get spiritual here eventually.) Isn't it ironic that 13 years ago I never wanted any kids? And when I did start having them, I thought anyone with 3 was amazing. When our 4th child was a baby, I met a woman who at the time had 11 children (now 12). That was the day I quit talking about how many kids I had, as if it was soooo many. I realized you will always meet someone who has more and will think you are crazy for complaining about how few (in comparison) you have. Not to mention everytime you have one more, you realize how easy it really was when you had one less.
That said (and with great digression from what I'm really supposed to be posting about), I'm on assignment. It seems that as soon as you get pregnant with your 3rd child you start hearing comments like, "Don't you have cable?" or "Don't you know how this happens?"
For the most part these comments have never bothered me. The only one that ever did get me was when a man said to Hubby, "That's too many kids." I didn't hear him. If I had, I would have asked him which one he would want us to give back.
Anyway, some expectant moms are annoyed, irritated or down-right insulted by any comment that they shouldn't be having more children. So I need your help. I promised I would help out one of my lucky preggo pals. I'm looking for a few good and kind one-liners or ways that you have politely responded to those members of society, church, wherever, who don't know that God calls children a blessing, a reward.
Psalm 127
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
Here's an example of one of my favorites - Mrs. Fittro (mother to 5) told me this one once. Whenever anyone would ask her, "Don't you know how this happens?" she would answer with, "Yes, and we like it!" I love using that one.
Thanks in advance for your help.
4 comments:
Jenny, I too, am having womb envy! It's hard for me to accept that I am entering "that next phase" of life...The one where WE mentor those new moms! AHHHHHH! Instead of that song "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord" I sing "Open the womb of my body, Lord"! I love reading your post...they bring a smile to my face! Missing you and thinking about you! xo
I put this question of clever comebacks to a online community that is overflowing with families with 4+ children.
One cute one was a woman who said, "We'll stop when we have an ugly one." She has 4 kids. (The idea being that parents never think their kids are ugly.)
Another funny one was:
"Question: Don't you know what causes that?
Answer: No.
Look very confused. Wait for the response. It's usually a good one."
One last one was kind of a spin on Jenny's:
"Question: Don't you know what causes that?
Answer: "Yes and we're getting very good at it. Need just a little more practice."
When someone says "you have your hands full" I respond with, "Their not as full as our hearts."
And are they all yours?
"Every single one of these blessings is mine?"
Do you know what causes that?
"Nope! And I hope I don't find out cause I'd love to have more."
"We're just trying to keep up with our neighbors' bunnies!"
-or-
"Those bunny rabbits don't have a thing on us!"
-or-
Q: "Don't you know what causes
that?"
A: "Why...don't you?"
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