Doctors, colleagues, friends ... Some people don't beat around the bush and brazenly ask what others might only whisper. "Your third child in four years? Was it on purpose?" Such questions are typical at a time when everything is supposed to be perfectly planned and controlled.
Our response is often silence or blushing. Whether we answer "yes" or "no" we may look like a fool.
But what if we tackled the question head-on and expressed our feelings?
Are you nervous about your pregnancy? That's legitimate and understandable. Admitting to fears and anxieties allows the person you are talking to—if he or she is even slightly attentive or empathetic—to reassure you, console you, and show some support.
"We have the right to be Christian and open to life, and still to be disconcerted when we’re surprised by the arrival of a baby," says Hélène Perez, a marriage counselor, who says that many parents who consult her in these circumstances are “stunned.”
Are you feeling joyful? Then don't stifle it under shame and guilt, exacerbated by the remarks of those around you. Seize the joy, as timid as it may be, and let it blossom. Protect it and express it, as Pope Francis urges in Amoris Laetitia:
