Dear Maximilian,
"I have witnessed Catholic mothers with what one might call an 'NFP mentality' being grieved and unhappy when they conceive their 9th child, instead of joyfully thanking God for one more gift of providence."
Really?? I've seen that with folks who wind up with four instead of three, or even, perhaps five, instead of four. Although, even there, most of the folks I've known who got to four had by then adopted the attitude, "Four? Eh. What's one more??"
But EVERYONE I KNOW who has gotten to eight is hopeful of more.
"I think the most daunting aspect for these mothers is facing their friends and family, most of whom are Catholic, whom they know are going to be disapproving and not happy and cheerful about their news."
That can be daunting, but the folks I know who think that way aren't employing NFP. I know one individual at my parish (unfortunately in a role of some authority and responsibility) who has not only endorsed contraception, but has said that there should never be more children in a family than adults. Very bitter, shriveled-up person. Oh, that might be a little judgmental. Oh, well. ;-)
Honestly, Max, I'm blessed to get to hang with a really great group. I coach the homeschool chess club. I love it when 20 or more kids descend on my house to play chess! These are happy, happy kids (nearly all Catholics - we have one or two large Protestant families in our circle of homeschoolers, but mostly, its Catholics), with exceedingly wonderful parents who have been quite intent on having large, Catholic families. Many of these women are former "management material" types (one of our closest friends was in management at IBM before having her first child), just about all have at least baccalaureate degrees, and many have masters degrees. These are women who were supposed to be "supermoms" who would "have it all."
Yet, these are women who have happily, joyfully abandoned their "careers" and themselves to their vocations as wives, mothers, and the first and principle teachers of their children. In their own minds, these women believe that they DO have it all (and, let's face it, they do)!!
sitetest
It is so important to have support around you! Being the only large Catholic family in the state is just too much pressure for nearly anyone to handle. As you point out, Catholic families need to be able to socialize with other Catholic families who support the same principles. It's too hard to go it alone.