I concur on just about this entire essay with one caveat. Particularly Yes to discarding a false dichotomy between saints /sinners in deciding to stay in or out of church. We are all sinners.
My experience of motherhood was similar to yours in that I was supported in a post Catholic college friend group and never had a baby in an isolated setting. Which made it all rather delightful even when it wasn’t.
One caveat - not so sure about the suggestion of an embrace of religious practice without at least a tacit acceptance of its claims - IOW - I don’t think an instrumental approach to church participation will have the desired results without some kind of eventual conversion to actual belief.
“…married parenthood of multiple kids is like bananas: Once, it was the only option; now, it is the ideal option, regardless of whether it seems like the tastiest one.” Great analogy.
I concur on just about this entire essay with one caveat. Particularly Yes to discarding a false dichotomy between saints /sinners in deciding to stay in or out of church. We are all sinners.
My experience of motherhood was similar to yours in that I was supported in a post Catholic college friend group and never had a baby in an isolated setting. Which made it all rather delightful even when it wasn’t.
One caveat - not so sure about the suggestion of an embrace of religious practice without at least a tacit acceptance of its claims - IOW - I don’t think an instrumental approach to church participation will have the desired results without some kind of eventual conversion to actual belief.
“…married parenthood of multiple kids is like bananas: Once, it was the only option; now, it is the ideal option, regardless of whether it seems like the tastiest one.” Great analogy.