"Thank You For Having Children"
It was in interesting conversation in the checkout line.
Baby girl (who's not much of a baby anymore) was peeking around my leg looking at the lady behind us in the checkout line. I'm not sure if she was actually playing or just being shy, but the lady took the opportunity to strike up a conversation. She commented on how nice it is to see a mom with so many kids and another on the way. She seemd quite disappointed that the national average fertility rate is less than 2 kids per couple. (I'm not sure on the accuracy of that statistic, but it wouldn't shock me.) So she went about praising me for embracing motherhood along with bringing up other small talk.
She mentioned how she grew up just a little ways from the town where we were shopping at, but currently lives in New York. She said she has to visit home once in awhile to get a sense of normalcy again, and how she really wants to get out of that state. I don't blame her! The poor lady. The world is going crazy, and I sure wouldn't want to live in the middle of it. Yikes.
The line kept moving and it was our turn to checkout. The kind lady ended our conversation by telling me, "Thank you for having lots of children, someone has to." Honestly, I found it a little strange, because to me, 3-4 kids doesn't seem all that much. (Ok, unless I'm by myself and they are getting out of hand, than it's a lot!) But I suppose to most, 3-4 is a lot. I know I used to think that way when I was young. Funny how perspectives differ and change.
Well I thought I'd just share that short little story with you. Have you had any interesting conversations with a stranger while shopping?
Around here, there is an irrational but very vocal minority who seem to live in fear of "white genocide," and believe people who "mix races" are committing that crime. They think white people have a duty to produce white babies for white power, or some such bullshit.
Seriously!? What age group are these people in? Living in irrational fear/fear of the uncontrollable is never a good thing.
Generally middle-aged and up. There seem to be people who feel a pathological need to worry about things that don't really matter, or aren't really problems: Miscegenation and immigration, what other folks do for recreation, which politician will run the nation, never anything that affects salvation.
Yes, that was a bad attempt at rhyme there.
I have a friend who has 6 children, and even after having 3 "friends" would ask her why she was having more. People say the strangest things, thinking that their perceptions are the norm.
Living in the city for most of my life, I have known many couples (it was a college town) that opted out of having any children. I also knew bachelors that said they wanted a family but never settled down over the decades, and now still have no wife or kids.
I love where I live now. There is a different culture in rural Kansas. Families are large and happy. No life is perfect but I am happy to be surrounded by generations of families now that my children have grown and left the nest.
Children are a gift. A wonderful gift.
That just seems so sad. I can’t imagine choosing not to have kids. Sure I’d maybe get a lot more done around here, but I think it would get a little boring. It’s quite something how by surrounding yourself around a certain way of life easily becomes very normal, and even “the way it should be.”
I agree, the rural life may not be perfect, but it sure has a lot more pros in my book!
Some people think it is liberating not to be "tied down" to children and their needs. It feels as if so many don't want to grow up and take on more responsibility and yet my children have made me a better person. I love them so much and am so very glad that they are in my life. What a blessing a family is in so many ways.
And while I am patiently waiting for grandchildren, I play with and have fun with my friends and neighbor's children. Life can be a rich and diverse experience if we let others in.
Be well and God Bless!!
Very well said!
What beautiful children @hebrewhousewife! And what a blessing this lady spoke over your family. Psalms speak of our children being the arrows for our bow. It's a beautiful picture with so much promise. Blessed Shabbat
Thank you! Yes, I agree. Most days I wonder if I’m doing a good job, so it’s encouraging to hear kind words from strangers. Hope you have a peaceful Shabbat!
At my Southern Baptist church we have quite a few families with 4 children and a few with 5. For a long time I was the only one with 6, but another family caught up.
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Growing up, 4 kids was about the biggest size family in the area. (Ok, until I found later out there was a family with 12 kids, but that was unheard of!) Funny how now I wouldn’t really consider s family large until there are at least 6 kids. It does seem like more and more families are having more kids now.
Thanks for sharing the story!
Since you are already walking against the grain in other areas of your life you might as well add this one to it! However for you it is doing the best thing for you and your husband. And @buckaroo is right....
You’re welcome! Once you start going against the grain, there’s no reason to quit halfway lol. I should really read the whole chapter for context, but what does the last line mean “speak with their enemies in the gate?”
Well there are only 5 verses in that chapter and to answer your question on what that last line means......no idea!
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No, I don't talk to strangers while shopping. lol..Howdy hebrewhousewife! I can't recall any interesting ones recently. Isn't it interesting that in our parent's time and especially Grandparent's time 3 or 4 kids was a small family!
What do you think changed? I think a big part of it is the expense.
It's good to see you back and that is such a priceless photo!
I usually don’t either. Well, I don’t start anyways. Our kids usually cause others to strike a conversation with us first! I know it! Each of our grandparents had 6 kids, except my mom’s parents. They had 5.
In my opinion, I think another big part was the mom leaving home to work. You know how hard it would be to raise a lot of kids and work full time. More mom’s are staying home these days. Good for them!
Howdy again hebrewhousewife! I didn't know that more mom's are staying home these days, that's a very hopefully and encouraging sign!
Our family is crossing the line between four (considered excessive) and five (considered insane). We don't get too many approving comments, but nothing really critical. I think they keep their comments to themselves.
We had someone comment "how many kids are you going to have?" I told him "Jacob had 12 sons and I only have one, so I have 11 more sons to go." He wasn't sure if I was serious or not!
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Hahaha! That was a great comeback!