(Mar. 26, 2010) Most couples give little thought to how many children they plan to have. Their thoughts seem to sink into unwritten cultural rules that equate this decision with determining where they want to live, or what kind of car they want.

Decisions about having children are not wholly up to the husband and wife.

Other couples, however, struggle in their conscience about how many and when to have  children. They know that this is an area of responsibility that somehow begins outside of themselves.  Many Christian couples, for example, know that they are called to be open to life, and that this decision begins with prayer and a supernatural outlook.

No Checklist

The Catholic Church provides no checklist to determine how many or when to have children, since there are so many different situations between couples. Rather, the couples’ thinking should begin with an attitude of generosity.

This is the theme of an article in the March/April issue of Family Foundations, published by the Couple to Couple League. The article, “Prudence and Generosity, the Call of Responsible Parenthood,” states that Pope Paul VI coined the term “responsible parenthood,” writing that it is “exercised by those who prudently and generously decide to have more children, and by those who, for serious reasons and with due respect to moral precepts, decide not to have additional children for either a certain on an indefinite period of time” (Humanae Vitae 10).

CCL’s article states that, “This means that when couples discern whether to seek or avoid pregnancy, God must be part of the equation.” The article quotes Humanae Vitae, which says, “Husband and wife… are not free to act as they choose, as if it were wholly up to them to decide what is the right course to follow. On the contrary, they are bound to ensure that what they do corresponds to the will of God the Creator” (Humanae Vitae 10).

To receive Family Foundations, go to Couple to Couple League International and become a member.

Natural Family Planning Classes Taught

The next series of classes in northeast Illinois will begin Sun., April 18, 2010 at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Gurnee, and will be taught by Edmond and Sharon Harrigan, 847-231-0567 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              847-231-0567      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to the CCL Central class locator. Or go to the Chicago CCL’s Classes by Location and Maplinks.