Has anyone recently encountered rude, hurtful statements for being quiverfull?
Often people seem to speak before they think. Two times this week people have openly made assumptions about me. Just tonight at church there was a visiting family. They were probably in their late 30s and they had two kids. Evie was in my arms and Ida was holding my hand when I went up to introduce myself. The lady asked, "Hon, how old are you?" When I told her that I'm 20, she looked at the girls for a long time, and then said, "Well I'm proud of you for deciding to get married and make a family after a mistake."
Excuse me? I was married at 18 and had Ida TEN months later. I was not pregnant (nor was I sexually active) before I married Zeke. Granted, I am young to have two kids... but I'm just so shocked that someone would make such an assumption- as if it was her business anyway.
On Monday we were at a homeowner's meeting. We live in an "upscale" type neighborhood (only by God's grace and the great generosity of others). Our neighbors have never been overly fond of us. The youngest couple besides us are in their late 50s and "can hear the babies crying across the street all the time" (guess what? babies cry.) Anyway, when asked when we would finish up our landscaping, my husband answered, "I'll get to it as fast as I can. Hopefully have it all finished by the end of the month." One of the other men chimed in, somewhat jokingly, "Why doesn't your wife do it? She's home all day." I am, in fact, a stay at home mom to a 2 year old and a new born. And I've also been doing some straightening of the yard in my spare time. So I answered, "Yes I'm home. But the girls keep me pretty busy." Our lovely neighbor from across the street (the same ones who hear babies crying...) said, "I don't have any pity. Ever heard of birth control?"
I just sat there. It disgusted me. They would rather me have prevented my beautiful little girls from being born than to be bothered with crying, and that our yard is taking a while to landscape? It was so hurtful. But I do know their opinion doesn't matter.
Sorry for the rant. These things have been on my mind lately.
Often people seem to speak before they think. Two times this week people have openly made assumptions about me. Just tonight at church there was a visiting family. They were probably in their late 30s and they had two kids. Evie was in my arms and Ida was holding my hand when I went up to introduce myself. The lady asked, "Hon, how old are you?" When I told her that I'm 20, she looked at the girls for a long time, and then said, "Well I'm proud of you for deciding to get married and make a family after a mistake."
Excuse me? I was married at 18 and had Ida TEN months later. I was not pregnant (nor was I sexually active) before I married Zeke. Granted, I am young to have two kids... but I'm just so shocked that someone would make such an assumption- as if it was her business anyway.
On Monday we were at a homeowner's meeting. We live in an "upscale" type neighborhood (only by God's grace and the great generosity of others). Our neighbors have never been overly fond of us. The youngest couple besides us are in their late 50s and "can hear the babies crying across the street all the time" (guess what? babies cry.) Anyway, when asked when we would finish up our landscaping, my husband answered, "I'll get to it as fast as I can. Hopefully have it all finished by the end of the month." One of the other men chimed in, somewhat jokingly, "Why doesn't your wife do it? She's home all day." I am, in fact, a stay at home mom to a 2 year old and a new born. And I've also been doing some straightening of the yard in my spare time. So I answered, "Yes I'm home. But the girls keep me pretty busy." Our lovely neighbor from across the street (the same ones who hear babies crying...) said, "I don't have any pity. Ever heard of birth control?"
I just sat there. It disgusted me. They would rather me have prevented my beautiful little girls from being born than to be bothered with crying, and that our yard is taking a while to landscape? It was so hurtful. But I do know their opinion doesn't matter.
Sorry for the rant. These things have been on my mind lately.