Quiverfull and Mental Illness?

[HDoggie19]

I am borderline Quiverfull--I see that God will provide a baby, despite even multiple methods of birth control. I see a family like the Duggars--how God obviously provides for them, despite having multiple children. They are debt-free, too! Amazing!
But, I have a family history of mental illness--myself included. I have severe anxiety disorders (to the point of being housebound) and depression. My mother's entire side of the family suffers from anxiety disorders of one form or another.
While I believe in the "sins of the fathers" curses passed on to generations, I also feel strongly led to be quiverfull. I have so many contridictions in my faith, that I am so torn.
I want so many children--I LOVE children and see them as a blessing! But on the other hand, I feel a lack of faith that God would prevent all my future offspring from having the same generational curse that I suffer from. Plus, my husband is NOT a Quiverfull man.
What's a woman to do????????

 

[aspartamefree]

Wow!

I would guess the greatest obstacle to being Quiverfull is your husband...'cause he's got to be convinced it's a good thing!

The wonder of God is that although every one of your children may suffer from various anxiety disorders, by the time it becomes an issue for them, the Lord may very well have provided answers for them in the scientific community. Who knows, even one of your children may come up with suitable treatments for such traumatic conditions!

My wife is more "quiverfull" than I, but I could still be persuaded to have more than our four. We just take it one day (and one child!) at a time. Maybe that would help.

Aspartamefree

 

[jgonz]

I consider myself Quiverfull, but DH isn't. He was open to however many children the L-rd gave us, but wanted to use barrier forms of bc. I didn't like it, but I figured that G-d is above all things, so I trusted Him... And he gave us all these kids In Spite Of bc!

Pray about it. There are usually forms of the meds you may need to be on that are ok for pregnancy &/or breastfeeding. It's a matter of researching and trusting G-d.

 

[CelticRose]

Generational curses can be broken too. I don't know a lot about it but pray & seek guidance from someone who does understand it scriptually.

 

[annaapple]

What's a woman to do????????

Pour your heart out to God. He knows how to untangle the issues that are so mixed up together for you. He will provide answers. It will be ok.

 

[invisiblebabe]

I am borderline Quiverfull--I see that God will provide a baby, despite even multiple methods of birth control. I see a family like the Duggars--how God obviously provides for them, despite having multiple children. They are debt-free, too! Amazing!
But, I have a family history of mental illness--myself included. I have severe anxiety disorders (to the point of being housebound) and depression. My mother's entire side of the family suffers from anxiety disorders of one form or another.
While I believe in the "sins of the fathers" curses passed on to generations, I also feel strongly led to be quiverfull. I have so many contridictions in my faith, that I am so torn.
I want so many children--I LOVE children and see them as a blessing! But on the other hand, I feel a lack of faith that God would prevent all my future offspring from having the same generational curse that I suffer from. Plus, my husband is NOT a Quiverfull man.
What's a woman to do????????

Hi I hope you don't mind my posting here, seeing as I don't have children. Your situation struck me though - I have PTSD and bipolar, and am not having children because of the biological/medical issues that would worsen as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.

There is a significantly greater risk of severe (suicidal even) postpartum depression, if you already have a psychological disorder. Mine without meds was so severe that it would have been inevitable, had I gotten pregnant. Also, kids who have depressed/anxiety-disordered mothers have been shown to have more developmental difficulties, and they are more prone to developing insecure attachment styles.

A few interesting books on the mind and child development: Parenting from the Inside Out by Dr. Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell, Attachments: Why You Love, Feel, and Act the Way You Do by Tim Clinton, and The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine Aron.

So, all this to say, continue to pray about it, and if I were you I would be very sure I was stable for several years before I tried to have children. It really depends... do you truly feel you have the desire and physical/mental/emotional/social/intellectual capabilities to have and raise children who will grow up to be as healthy and whole as possible? In my case, personally, the answer was no... but each person is different

God's blessings Praying for you as well!

Love, Kayli

 

[teishpriest]

PRAY!!!! And then listen... Sometimes we have to wait, but God will show you what to do!

 

[alana4297]

I was QF...had 3 children...developed SEVERE PPD...then diagnosed bipolar. We had to make a choice between medication to help me live a healthy stable life that would be best for my dc and dh...or not and continue to have dc and my condition worsen..or have children while on drugs that are not safe for a developing baby.

It was a gut wrenching decision that involved many tears and prayers...and we are content with the 3 God has given to us.

 

[sara elizabeth]

The biggest issue I see is that you and your husband are not in agreement on this. I strongly feel that the husband is the head of the home and as such the final decision maker. Pray about it and talk to your husband before worrying about the rest of it.