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Wednesday, April 15, 12:41:58Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 12345[6]78910 ]
Subject: Re: Takes a Twist


Author:
Pat
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Date Posted: 11/ 5/07 7:15pm
In reply to: RWR 's message, "Takes a Twist" on 11/ 5/07 2:33pm

Hi, RWR,

Wow! That's a tough one! Before I tell you what I recommend, let me tell you about my own experience.

We have seven children, and two of them are adopted. The younger adopted one had a very short affair with a woman (3 weeks, he says), and she conceived and had a child. They're not married. I am pretty sure that she wants to get married, but he's a little leery because he had a failed marriage once before, and she has a few issues (though not nearly as many as before he met her). The situation is complicated by some other things I won't go into. What I want to tell you about this situation is that they have dated on and off. When we learned they had a son, I told him they SHOULD get married, but that I wouldn't harp on it. He's the kind of person who will take what I say seriously, and harping isn't even necessary. Anyway, the situation currently is that they each have an apartment, and they both work, and they arranged their schedules so that when one of them is working, the other one is taking care of their son. He is 2 now, and very well behaved. They have good discipline with him. I am also proud of him because his mother is teaching him Spanish, so he is becoming bilingual, which is always a good thing. Everyone loves our grandson, and everyone loves his mother, and she is accepted as part of the family.

Now with that background, I suggest that you tell my story to your girlfriend. Also, I recommend the following:

1. tell her that you can't make that decision so quickly because if you do, it may be for the wrong reasons, and that ultimately would be detrimental.

2. tell her that this is your child as well as hers and you want her to protect your baby, and that there is no possibility you will stay together if she harms your baby (which is undoubtedly true anyway, because that's what happens in most such situations). In a sense, you are handing her an ultimatum to go along with hers, but I think the situation is critical. In other words, tell her that it is out of the question for the two of you to stay together if she gets an abortion, even though right now you can't assure her that you are 100% certain you two should get married.

Tell her that you don't appreciate the ultimatum. Tell her that you need time to make sure it is the right thing for you. Acknowledge that she is ready to get married, and tell her you will give it serious thought, and you are leaning in that direction.

There are several other people she will harm if she has an abortion. Besides subjecting her baby to a gruesome death, she will harm herself, you, your mom, and other family members. Ask her if she would marry YOU if you told her that if she didn't marry you, you would kill your brother or yourself! I feel she is trying to manipulate you. One of our sons told me later that his wife told him while they were going together if they didn't get married, she would commit suicide. Do you see the comparison? If I had known that before they got married, I would have advised him not to marry her! Tell her that her ultimatim is working against your making a decision.

You could do as our son and his son's mother are doing. Take it one step at a time.

Just tell her how her ultimatim is hurting your relationship. She needs to give you some space. But threatening you that if you don't agree to marry her right now, she will kill your child, is an indication to me, at least, that she's not ready to make a commitment. If she can't commit to her child, how can she commit to you? She needs to protect her child regardless of what you do.

Have a discussion with her and raise these points. Good luck! Let us know if anything else comes up or if you have more questions, and let us know how it goes. We'll be praying for you.

Take care,
Pat

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Replies:
[> [> Subject: Re: Takes a Twist


Author:
Tracey
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Date Posted: 11/ 6/07 6:09am

RWR~
Hello...wow! I'm sure she really threw you for a loop when she asked you to make this decision. I have thought about this for awhile. And I have come to this conclusion--from what I've gathered, I believe she is testing you. She wants to make sure you are committed to her and this baby. I honestly don't think she would go for an abortion if you told her that is what you wanted and I don't think you two would last again if she actually did go through with the termination--she would be bitter and resentful towards you. But this is so much more complicated than what's at the surface. You have to realize she's dealing with her hormones as well. I have had 4 children(see top right of page) and KNOW first hand how pregnancy hormones effect your state of mind, especially in the first trimester. She's craving for your comfort right now and for you to rescue her from these doubts. What's even more complicated is that you don't even know what you are feeling yourself. While termination sometimes may seem like an easy fix, it is SOOO much more complicated. Your girlfriend will always have bitterness and resentment towards you and the likelihood of you two staying together after a termination is about 99% in favor of breaking up. Please, this is my honest opinion of what she's feeling right now. I think her feelings are even more complicated than yours right now. She's in charge of carrying this baby right now, she's scared to death you will up and leave...because that is a reality and very common! She's desperately seeking your approval and support in all of this, as much as taking this drastic measure and asking you to decide this child's fate. Again, I think this is ALL a test! If she wanted to terminate this pregnancy, she would have done it immediately. I think your concerns or nervous behavior is scaring her. I can tell you what I believe she wants...now it's your choice on how to handle this and deliver it. She wants you to tell her that you've thought long and hard about what she asked you to do. She wants to hear you say that you love her and support her and will be there throughout this pregnancy and raising this child. She wants to know that you are her soft place and that she can count on you to support her through all of this. She can't be happy right now because she probably fears that if she allows herself to be excited about this pregnancy, it will freak you out--that reality will set in and you will skip town on her. She needs to hear that you WILL be there no matter what. This is your child just as much as it is hers. You both made this little one together. RWR, she JUST needs your support! And by the way, 29 is a great age to have children. I just turned 30 and have 4! :) You CAN do this! You just have to set your mind to it. You have to come to terms with the fact that it is what it is and this could be a REALLY cool thing! I can promise you that you are not alone in this! We promise to be here any time you need to talk. Remember, she NEEDS you! I think it would be really amazing if you went on your trip already knowing that this child is coming and see it as a celebration! Again, this is just my opinion! Please continue to come back any time and as often as you need to!
God bless,
Tracey



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