https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 07:58:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions/page/2#post-2658944 Tue, 29 Nov 2016 21:08:07 +0000 earthling 2658944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have been planning to start TTC #1 in January since closing on our first house this summer … and now I'm incredibly nervous. We've been married for over a decade and I'm already 34, so I can't wait 4-8 years, but there is so much uncertainty now just in what insurance coverage and medical expenses could look like for a pregnancy or for a sick child alone. And that's not even looking at anything else about the current political climate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions/page/2#post-2652691 Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:28:05 +0000 daniellemybelle 2652691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's not the biggest factor, but it something that comes to mind. </p> <p>We were always pretty set on two kids (except for that time when LO was a hard newborn and I was one &amp; done, ha) and that's how many we will be having, though.</p> <p>EDIT TO ADD: As people of color, and in "this current environment," we feel like education is even more important than ever and just in general being able to be really involved parents. Some people can do that with 5 kids but for us personally I think 2 is about as many as we feel we can handle comfortably. As LO gets older, we realize more and more the huge responsibility that parenthood is! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions/page/2#post-2652684 Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:21:33 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2652684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, this is definitely weighing on my mind for so many reasons right now. :-( We may end up 1 &amp; done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions/page/2#post-2652682 Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:17:49 +0000 lioneyes 2652682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At 3:05 am on 11/9 when I woke DH up to tell him the outcome of the election, I told him I needed to take a wait and see approach to TTC #2 this Spring, as we had planned. Now that I am calmer, I still want to wait and see, but not because I don't want to bring another child into the current climate, but for practical reasons- I want to see how the real estate market and financial markets fare before we list our current home/purchase a new one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions/page/2#post-2652352 Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:27:19 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2652352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I posted this a few months back...I think it deserves a bump!</p> <p>Between when I posted and now my husband and I have decided not to expand our family biologically (fingers crossed for no accidents!). We've always wanted three but we don't want to add to the population, and I am pretty horrified by our political and economic situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions/page/2#post-2607199 Fri, 19 Aug 2016 11:53:42 +0000 mrsjazz 2607199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Read this article today and it made me think of this thread.</p> <p>Should We Be Having Kids In The Age Of Climate Change?<br /> <a href="http://www.npr.org/2016/08/18/479349760/should-we-be-having-kids-in-the-age-of-climate-change?utm_campaign=storyshare&#038;utm_source=facebook.com&#038;utm_medium=social" rel="nofollow">http://www.npr.org/2016/08/18/479349760/should-we-be-having-kids-in-the-age-of-climate-change?utm_campaign=storyshare&#038;utm_source=facebook.com&#038;utm_medium=social</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2575098 Sat, 25 Jun 2016 06:53:28 +0000 Bibliolove 2575098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I do too, and I don't have kids yet. But the political and environmental issues weigh heavily on my mind at times. I worry about our finite resources, and here I am, wanting to bring more humans into the world. </p> <p>Like others, I think about how the way we do work is changing. Despite my own liberal arts background, I would not want my kid to get a degree in that. Companies have just not caught up with how work has changed. E.g. The 40 hour, butt-in-a-chair mentality. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2575037 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 22:11:43 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2575037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We definitely considered politics in deciding where to have our family.<br /> In 2009 we were both out of work and were deciding where to settle. The social policies of Canada were the tipping point. We knew kids were in our near future and living in a country that supports families with healthcare and parental leave was a priority. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2575036 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 22:08:17 +0000 Kemma 2575036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I have similar feelings to you, my children are going to max out at three cousins which makes me really sad and part of the reason I'd like to have a big family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2575027 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 21:45:56 +0000 nana87 2575027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a really scary experience this winter where I was holding lo in a crowded subway station and there was a stampede (false alarm, people I guess thought someone had a bomb or gun) and we got pushed over onto a stairway and practically trampled over. It was terrifying, and coincidentally just a few weeks after I had a miscarriage. I definitely had thoughts about not wanting a second after that-- this world is so incredibly scary. It really hurt my soul to see how little concern people have for those around them that they would literally run over people, especially children, who had fallen.</p> <p>That said, I am pregnant now again, so it didn't deter me in the end. It just really brought home to me how scary it is that living with fear like this is the new normal </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2575018 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 21:17:07 +0000 Mae 2575018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I go the other way, all this stuff weighs in favor of having a 2nd for me. The world is scary and I don't want my daughter to be alone when we're gone. I'm not even close to my brother but knowing he's there is comforting to me and makes me feel more safe in the world. As does the fact that I have 25 cousins and 7 aunts/uncles that I keep in contact with and know I could rely on if needed (just this week I called an aunt to go pick my husband up when he got stranded in the city she lives in). My daughter has 1 cousin and 3 aunts/uncles. She MIGHT have a couple more cousins but it isn't likely she'll have more than 1-2 more. I hate that she won't have more family her age and it really makes me want to give her a sibling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2575013 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 21:10:17 +0000 SweetCaroline 2575013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, not really and that's mostly due to my faith.</p> <p>ETA: I would not have another child if I didn't think we could provide for another child or if I felt we were in imminent danger. We're 2 and through anyways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574900 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 16:40:07 +0000 rattles 2574900@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, that will not be a factor for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574892 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 16:26:25 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2574892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: even just the bee situation is enough to send me into a panic about what my kids will face in terms of the environment when they are older!😞 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574817 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 14:53:15 +0000 caterw 2574817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The current economic climate had a lot to do with our family planning decisions.. I am concerned that my kids will need a lot of help with college and potentially after that as well. We are stopping at 2 kids because I want to make sure that we will be able to save money for their education and also make sure that we can save for our old age. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574753 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:43:06 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 2574753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, it definitely plays a role. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574736 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:25:28 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2574736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: well typically I wouldn't be so particular but going from 1 to 2 feels different from 2 to 3! I mean even on a basic level, for those who are worried about population growth for example, 2 just replaces you but 3 grows the population. I wanted 2 so that my kids would have help in dealing with me in my old age, but expecting three in this current economic system to be totally self sustaining almost feels unrealistic! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574729 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 13:20:53 +0000 BSB 2574729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Truth Bombs: I'm a planner, too, and I will not have an unplanned pregnancy. After twins and IVF, I need to make sure I'm ready to have more kids (which I'm still not sure if I'm done or not.) At this moment, I am not. I am happy with the kids I have now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574714 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:54:46 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2574714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband says things along this line sometimes, he's pretty environmentally conscious and we're both scared by some current events. My response is that I hope our kids will be smart, kind and tolerant people and the world needs more people like that. That said, when my mind does wander and I think it could be the end of the world (if we have nuclear warfare in the coming years), the thought does cross my mind to not bring another child into the world. I just try to rely on my faith but that doesn't mean I don't have doubts. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574701 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:44:01 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2574701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is a tumultuous time, for sure. We have seriously thought about leaving the US in the next few years (probably not permanently), and while that doesn't necessarily affect our decisions on family size, we are of the mind that perhaps just having one LO is best in the current state of the world. If we have more, we certainly wouldn't have more than 2 kids. Our world can't take exponential growth. Unfortunately, plenty of poor &amp; uneducated people or entire countries do not also share that belief.</p> <p>Eta: btw, let me clarify that I certainly am not equating having more than 2 children with being uneducated. If our world could support it, I'd cheer for more educated &amp; kind, thoughtful, responsible people trying to balance things out. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574699 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:42:11 +0000 coopsmama 2574699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: oh your two, sorry! :) :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574691 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:39:10 +0000 Truth Bombs 2574691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I consider the environment I'm bringing my children in to to be an important factor in family planning. But I seem to be way on the opposite side of this than the majority of HB. Most people here tend to have the attitude of "I'll just have as many kids as I want/will make me happy and 'everything will work itself out'". I'm a big time planner and that's just not the way I operate, because things DON'T work out, all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574686 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:34:38 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2574686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: that is exactly the perspective I took when I had my second but for 3 I feel differently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574681 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:33:55 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2574681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@coopsmama: lol I have two! If we have any more I am comfortable labeling that as a purely selfish decision 😂 I used to be a Christian so I have experience with perspective but have fallen away from the faith in the past three or so years. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574666 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:25:54 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2574666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The world is so hostile and while I am concerned for my LO that is already here I want another just so he has someone else to navigate this crazy world with. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574663 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:25:10 +0000 coopsmama 2574663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: Well, my outlook on this is really skewed by my religious perspective. So my answers probably won't be reassuring to you. </p> <p>But my parents could have easily made the decision not to have had kids (or more kids) because of the possibility of a negative social or political climate and they didn't and I personally am grateful for that. ;) </p> <p>Honestly - everyone just needs to make decisions about family planning that THEY feel comfortable with! This is not an area to keep up with the Jones' in hehe....so if you don't feel comfortable because of the current political and social environment, then best to just have your one. :) You don't want to doubt yourself over such a major decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574654 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:20:23 +0000 BSB 2574654@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think most people just adapt. If I got unexpectedly pregnant, I wouldn't abort because of political or social issues. Even for financial reason, I think I would still adapt. ETA: Even though I had to do IVF, I'm still not chancing the risk of a pregnancy after having twins. So there will be no way I will have an unplanned pregnancy. </p> <p>The only thing at the moment that I'm concerned about is gun control. I'm not going to abort a future pregnancy because of gun control. I think it's something that will be on my mind when and if my babies grow up around guns. I think the only thing I can do is hope that we are not affected by gun violence. I'm still on the fence about how to properly educate my children about guns so they know the dangers of it and know it's not a toy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574648 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:15:21 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2574648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: yes definitely. Watching my siblings deal with the college education bubble/crisis has made me reconsider the "path" toward economic stability, etc. I don't know if I want my husband to have to work hard enough to afford retirement and my kids long launch period (more people live with parents than with spouses for the first time in over 100 years I believe I read). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574640 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 12:04:02 +0000 mrsjazz 2574640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: well then I've got on a tinfoil hat with you :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-political-or-social-issues-ever-weigh-into-your-family-planning-decisions#post-2574634 Fri, 24 Jun 2016 11:59:20 +0000 catlady 2574634@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family planning was in part totally personal, but in part due to concerns about financial stuff, i.e. our retirement, their college, etc. I'm not sure if that counts as political or social but I think if our country had things like paid maternity leave, subsidized early childcare, and subsidized college, our concerns would be alot different and I might be more inclined to have more kids. </p>