This is why I am not getting pregnant. :-) Actually, it's not, but it's a nice side effect.
I can offer my thoughts on the details of this later (like maybe after you give birth!) but for now I'll just say that I think the key is what you mentioned, Nik, regarding supporting women in the choices they make, as this is an extremely personal decision. I'm not sure what choices I would make were I preparing to give birth, but my friends who have given birth have given this much thought and discussion and have made the decision they were comfortable with. I don't think this is a "live and let live" issue. I think it's critical that we give each other the freedom and support to make the right decisions for us, recognizing that not only should each woman make her own choice, but the same choice is not going to be the right one for each person.
I've talked about this a lot with Unc.Doug over the last few years, but right now I'm too lazy to type all my thoughts based on those conversations (I can tell you sometime when I see you), but for the moment I'll say that his opinion is that it's most important for the two partners to agree about this, whatever it takes. Sometimes that's hard, but if they don't see this the same way it can cause major problems later.
In general, I couldn't agree more that women need to support each other's decisions, rather than criticize them or be in competition. It's very refreshing that this is not happening in this hoot chain!
Seriously, I think women of our generation (this is a massive generalization) are too often competitive and comparing and judgemental on everything ranging from: career or not and what kind of career? get married or no? have children or no? how to give birth to them? what to eat while pregnant with them? infertility treatment or no? adoption or no? religion or no and how it plays out? and on and on and on. I find it irritating and I've decided to check out of that rat race.
I feel so fortunate to have some amazing women in my life who resist this as well (like you!). It's awesome to have good friends who are really care about each other and are really interested in the life decisions others make, for the sole purpose of understanding them and knowing them better and being supportive.
Hooray for you for being strong about what's best for you.
I'm switching the tv back and forth between Hockey Night in Canada on CBC and "Jesus, the Complete Story" on the discovery channel. :-)
no subject
I can offer my thoughts on the details of this later (like maybe after you give birth!) but for now I'll just say that I think the key is what you mentioned, Nik, regarding supporting women in the choices they make, as this is an extremely personal decision. I'm not sure what choices I would make were I preparing to give birth, but my friends who have given birth have given this much thought and discussion and have made the decision they were comfortable with. I don't think this is a "live and let live" issue. I think it's critical that we give each other the freedom and support to make the right decisions for us, recognizing that not only should each woman make her own choice, but the same choice is not going to be the right one for each person.
I've talked about this a lot with Unc.Doug over the last few years, but right now I'm too lazy to type all my thoughts based on those conversations (I can tell you sometime when I see you), but for the moment I'll say that his opinion is that it's most important for the two partners to agree about this, whatever it takes. Sometimes that's hard, but if they don't see this the same way it can cause major problems later.
In general, I couldn't agree more that women need to support each other's decisions, rather than criticize them or be in competition. It's very refreshing that this is not happening in this hoot chain!
Seriously, I think women of our generation (this is a massive generalization) are too often competitive and comparing and judgemental on everything ranging from: career or not and what kind of career? get married or no? have children or no? how to give birth to them? what to eat while pregnant with them? infertility treatment or no? adoption or no? religion or no and how it plays out? and on and on and on. I find it irritating and I've decided to check out of that rat race.
I feel so fortunate to have some amazing women in my life who resist this as well (like you!).
It's awesome to have good friends who are really care about each other and are really interested in the life decisions others make, for the sole purpose of understanding them and knowing them better and being supportive.
Hooray for you for being strong about what's best for you.
I'm switching the tv back and forth between Hockey Night in Canada on CBC and "Jesus, the Complete Story" on the discovery channel. :-)