Can We Agree to Stop Making Comments About Family Size?

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If you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard the all-too-familiar phrase, “Wow, you’ve got your hands full!” It’s often said with good intentions, but the reality is that it can feel pretty empty—of course parents are busy! In many instances, such remarks can even be quite insensitive.

Fortunately, Delilah Johnson, a mom of three from Ohio, provided a brilliant response to this cliché in a recent social media post. While shopping at a local store with her husband and children, a stranger approached her and remarked, “I feel sorry for you; you have your hands full with all those kids.”

Delilah’s Powerful Response

Delilah’s response was powerful: “First of all, if you take a look at the photo, you’ll see my hands are actually empty,” she pointed out. Then she opened up with raw honesty that many could learn from: “What you don’t know is that I suffered two pregnancy losses before being gifted with my two beautiful children. So, if you feel sorry for me, that’s the only reason for it.”

After experiencing two heartbreaking losses, Delilah was told by medical professionals that she might never carry a child to term, leading her and her husband to come to terms with the possibility of not having more kids. But joyfully, just after their anniversary, she discovered she was pregnant with her now two-year-old daughter, followed by her three-month-old son. Delilah’s journey was filled with challenges, and she wishes others would be more considerate of the stories behind each family.

The Importance of Understanding Family Stories

“You never know what struggles a family might have faced—whether they have one child or ten. It’s not appropriate to comment on someone’s family size,” she explained. “Perhaps they’ve longed for a child but faced challenges? Or maybe their children come from adoption?” Each family has a unique background that deserves respect.

In the moment, Delilah was caught off guard by the stranger’s comment, but she later reflected that if she could respond again, she would say, “Hearing someone feel sorry for me because of my kids is simply not acceptable. I couldn’t imagine my life without them.”

She expressed, “Sure, I’m busy. Some days I eagerly await bedtime. My children keep me on my toes, and yes, one of them always needs something. But they are never an inconvenience or a reason for anyone to feel pity.”

Words Matter

While many throw around such phrases without a second thought, Delilah’s experience reminds us that they can wound. Although she usually brushes off such comments with laughter, this time she felt compelled to address it. “Don’t let anyone make you feel like your children are a burden. Your kids are a blessing, not a reason for sympathy.”

Exploring Family Planning Options

For those interested in exploring family planning options, you might want to check out this article on in vitro fertilisation, which is an excellent resource for understanding various pregnancy paths. Additionally, if you’re considering home insemination, look into the at-home insemination kit and the cryobaby home intracervical insemination syringe kit combo for a more personalized approach to starting or expanding your family.

Conclusion

In summary, it’s crucial to be mindful of the words we choose when talking about family sizes. Comments that may seem harmless can carry deeper meanings and implications for those who have faced challenges in their parenting journey.

Keyphrase: family size comments

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