I have been in a couple of uncomfortable and awkward situations this past week. First was a catechist meeting; we were getting together to gather ideas for Lent. We weren't informed what the meeting was about, so most people weren't prepared to talk about that. Then the subject quickly turned to my 12year old daughter came home asking about abortion & why people would Choose to Not have one if they weren't married, and then they started going around the table.. do you have any "daughters", of course it gets to me & I answer no. Awkward moment:This person only wanted advice from someone who has a daughter. This mom/catechist wanted to know if it was covered in the text book for the religion program. The homily last weekend, talking to the effect that parents are the #1 educator of their children, be involved & know what your kids are learning in school, weither it be public, private or homeschool. As we finished the meeting, another mom/catechist started asking, do you have any kids, I said no, she said, oh I can't ask you, then asked the next one who she knows has kids. Does your husband help you "teach" all the "catholic"things to your kids. I understand how this doesn't apply to me, but just how she asked, seemed so insensitive.
The DRE & I are outsiders & the rest of these moms have been teaching for some time together. She is trying to weed some of these ladies out, as some of the beliefs they have are very out there, and not consistent w/ the teachings of the CC. The DRE & I know each other and get along & she knows some of my IF issues, she herself has 3 adopted children. I told her after our last meeting, that I'm not here to win over these other teachers, but they can be very rude a lot of the time. She knows that I used to be a Youth Minister, we talked afterwards & she gave me the e-mail to the lady w/ the 12y.o. daughter. So I sent this lady an e-mail the next morning & explained what I used to do before I came to this parish & listed her some resources of how to talk to her daughter about the topic, gave her a name of a place she could get books & videos on loan.
Secondly, I've been questioned by several people ( work & church) they all tend to end up somewhere like: so when are you gonna have kids. I still haven't found the response that doesn't leave the conversation in an awkward silence. At church I usuallly end up saying, God hasn't blessed us with Children yet. At work it's usually a little more awkward, cuz it's normally coming from a guy, so I just say, well it just hasn't happened yet. What kind of response do you tell people with out being too informative, but not rude?
I realized, that I have been holding my self hostage from certain situations because A) I don't want to deal w/ the questions B) other peoples joys with their children C) Both . For instance I haven't responded to an invite to an all school reunion, because "everyone" else has kids,and are stay at home moms. Hubs doesn't want to attend functions at church cuz "everyone" has kids & it's just like being the outsiders. Although I know 1 other couple who have the same IF difficulties, but Hubs doesn't want to "tell" to anyone else.
Comments welcomed & appreciated.
I don't really have any advice, but I also avoid certain situations because I just don't fit and I don't want to have to stand around and look polite while people talk about things that I "wouldn't know about since I'm not a parent." My sister is also single and childless so people will also avoid asking her certain things... Even though she's a preschool teacher who actually does know a lot about child development and how to address certain things. So no advice, but I hear you on this!
ReplyDeleteThanks !!
ReplyDeleteI hate it when people don't want to talk to you because you don't have kids. It really irks me. You are MORE than qualified to give advice!!! Ugh!
ReplyDeleteI hate answering the question about kids too. When people ask in Church, I give the same response: "God hasn't blessed us with them yet." But when its at work and some insensitive guy is asking, not in a caring way, its hard to come up with an answer. I've been trying to think what I have responded, as I've been asked multiple times (I've been at the same company for almost 7 years and have never been on maternity leave, you'd think they'd know something was up), but I can't remember. I wish more people knew how hurtful it was to ask.
I'm not sure this helps, but I've SO been there.
Thanks, it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one!!
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