Old saying,
“The first baby can come anytime. The rest take 9 months.”
That was an adult saying from times when marriage was expected and divorce rates were low.
It was considered a bit risque’ and comical.
It doesn’t make much sense to lots of folks these days. (Thank you, gov schools.)
Soloist:
Somewhat off topic I guess, but my wife had never met any Christian (pre-converting to Anabaptist) who actually refrained prior to marriage. She waited, and so did I. Among the CM's it seems to be normal comparably.
from my memory, as an older teen in the U.S. Midwest, thinking and hoping for marriage, it was SHOCKING to hear of some Scandinavian/European countries experimenting with “living together” before marriage.
along with birth control pills, the drug culture, vietnam, and so much more, living together and “free love” became rampant.
but i do remember that innocent odd feeling i had long ago when i first read about what the Europeans were said to be experimenting with. it seemed nothing less than other-worldly. marriage was so valued. it was something to dream about, prepare for, wait for, work for.
i hope to impart some of this to my sweet granddaughter, in a world that laughs+scoffs at it.
frankly, in my view, the pandemic HELPS with the message that, “yes, YOU CAN CHOOSE. you can make a difference with your choices. you can maintain physical distance, control germs+pathogens! you are not just a victim of carnal instincts.”
and, your choices matter. to you and everyone around you.
i hope LOADS of children and young people are getting these empowering messages.
that have not been taught in decades.