Comments on: Plastic-free sex, part 2: "Pedro offers you his protection" http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/ Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:16:24 -0700 hourly 1 By: Mary K http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-5748 Mary K Tue, 21 Apr 2009 01:47:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-5748 There is a way to prevent pregnancy that is JUST as effective as all artificial birth control---- natural family planning. Granted, this is really only a good option for a monogamous hetero couple... but I can attest that it works. NFP usually gets a bad rap as being a crazy Catholic thing (I'm Catholic, and possibly also crazy, but that's another topic ;) ), but it is the most natural means of birth control possible! Although for some methods you do need a special thermometer, but you could use the old fashioned kind if you want. NFP uses you body's natural fertility signs to let you know when you can get pregnant and when you can't. You can only get pregnant when an egg is present, when you are ovulating. If you learn to be able to tell when you are ovulating, you just abstain from sex during that time... usually 5 or so days out of the month. Now, this does require some self-control from both partners, because you have to agree not to have sex sometimes.... and its usually the time of the month when you want it the most. BUT, if you are truly committed to living a natural and plastic-free lifestyle, then this is definitely something to investigate. Most of the literature available on NFP is from a Catholic perspective, which might not suit you if you are not Catholic. I use a website called fertilityfriend.com to "chart" my fertility signs. The site is geared towards people who are trying to conceive, but I use it in the opposite way (for now). The site has an EXCELLENT tutorial on how NFP and charting your natural fertility signs works. My hubby and I have been using NFP successfully for 2 years, and it will be nice when we decide to have kids because it won't be a crap shoot--- we will know what time of the month we need to have sex so that we can actually conceive! There is a way to prevent pregnancy that is JUST as effective as all artificial birth control—- natural family planning. Granted, this is really only a good option for a monogamous hetero couple… but I can attest that it works. NFP usually gets a bad rap as being a crazy Catholic thing (I’m Catholic, and possibly also crazy, but that’s another topic ;) ), but it is the most natural means of birth control possible! Although for some methods you do need a special thermometer, but you could use the old fashioned kind if you want. NFP uses you body’s natural fertility signs to let you know when you can get pregnant and when you can’t. You can only get pregnant when an egg is present, when you are ovulating. If you learn to be able to tell when you are ovulating, you just abstain from sex during that time… usually 5 or so days out of the month. Now, this does require some self-control from both partners, because you have to agree not to have sex sometimes…. and its usually the time of the month when you want it the most. BUT, if you are truly committed to living a natural and plastic-free lifestyle, then this is definitely something to investigate. Most of the literature available on NFP is from a Catholic perspective, which might not suit you if you are not Catholic. I use a website called fertilityfriend.com to “chart” my fertility signs. The site is geared towards people who are trying to conceive, but I use it in the opposite way (for now). The site has an EXCELLENT tutorial on how NFP and charting your natural fertility signs works. My hubby and I have been using NFP successfully for 2 years, and it will be nice when we decide to have kids because it won’t be a crap shoot— we will know what time of the month we need to have sex so that we can actually conceive!

]]> By: CC http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-3262 CC Mon, 25 Aug 2008 05:03:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-3262 I found you via some google searches on population growth. I appreciate these stats you've mentioned so much! I see over-population as a huge environmental issue and think you've "let the numbers do the talking" rather than trying to preach to people about family size. We opted to pursue adoption in order to become parents, and you've listed a bunch of our reasons why!<br/><br/>BTW--I grew up just a few miles from where you live from what I've been reading on this blog thus far! I found you via some google searches on population growth. I appreciate these stats you’ve mentioned so much! I see over-population as a huge environmental issue and think you’ve “let the numbers do the talking” rather than trying to preach to people about family size. We opted to pursue adoption in order to become parents, and you’ve listed a bunch of our reasons why!

BTW–I grew up just a few miles from where you live from what I’ve been reading on this blog thus far!

]]> By: maria http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1822 maria Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:08:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1822 beth, i followed your link here from the good human. i'm so glad there is SOMEONE out there (judging from the comments, it seems like quite a few people) feels the way i do! it's such a relief!!!<br/><br/>birth control is one of the most useful and amazing modern inventions and one of the reasons i could never fully go off to live a "natural" lifestyle on an amish settlement somewhere...nor could i choose birth control based on anything other than what WORKS.<br/><br/>kudos! beth, i followed your link here from the good human. i’m so glad there is SOMEONE out there (judging from the comments, it seems like quite a few people) feels the way i do! it’s such a relief!!!

birth control is one of the most useful and amazing modern inventions and one of the reasons i could never fully go off to live a “natural” lifestyle on an amish settlement somewhere…nor could i choose birth control based on anything other than what WORKS.

kudos!

]]> By: terrible person http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1359 terrible person Fri, 15 Feb 2008 06:18:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1359 It's interesting that you're talking about people bringing too many children into the world. There's a parallel to plastic. It's very easy to produce children, hard to take care of them. But once they are created (whenever one believes that is), you have to take care of them. So, unless you really plan to do that, don't have them in the first place! But I feel the same way about plastic bags or other packages now. Once I get one, I have to use it until it's worn out, and dispose of it properly. It's a responsibility. So, I should try not to get any in the first place! It’s interesting that you’re talking about people bringing too many children into the world. There’s a parallel to plastic. It’s very easy to produce children, hard to take care of them. But once they are created (whenever one believes that is), you have to take care of them. So, unless you really plan to do that, don’t have them in the first place! But I feel the same way about plastic bags or other packages now. Once I get one, I have to use it until it’s worn out, and dispose of it properly. It’s a responsibility. So, I should try not to get any in the first place!

]]> By: Fake Plastic Fish http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1357 Fake Plastic Fish Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:47:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1357 I'm so happy for all the comments about adoption. I was going to mention it in my post and then thought I'd better stick to a narrower topic. Also, I don't know anything about adoption myself, except for adopting bad rascally kitties that destroy mommy's knitting and poop on the floor. (What does THAT mean?)<br/><br/>But my point in mentioning how many foster children and orphans there are in the world was to say that we have so many kids already who need loving homes. Why keep making more? But then again, it's not for me to tell people how many kids to have. It's an individual decision. So I'm glad for the stories of people who have done the adoption thing. Kudos to you all!<br/><br/>And Burbanmom, thanks so much for the compliment. I hope my posts are steering people to your excellent blog. Oh, and by the way, is Burbanmom a pun? I never thought about it until I was telling someone about your blog and they asked if it was spelled Bourbonmom.<br/><br/>And SootsAndArya, you know you're in big trouble. No amount of cuteness can save you from the wrath of the mad cat mama tonight. Be afraid! :-) I’m so happy for all the comments about adoption. I was going to mention it in my post and then thought I’d better stick to a narrower topic. Also, I don’t know anything about adoption myself, except for adopting bad rascally kitties that destroy mommy’s knitting and poop on the floor. (What does THAT mean?)

But my point in mentioning how many foster children and orphans there are in the world was to say that we have so many kids already who need loving homes. Why keep making more? But then again, it’s not for me to tell people how many kids to have. It’s an individual decision. So I’m glad for the stories of people who have done the adoption thing. Kudos to you all!

And Burbanmom, thanks so much for the compliment. I hope my posts are steering people to your excellent blog. Oh, and by the way, is Burbanmom a pun? I never thought about it until I was telling someone about your blog and they asked if it was spelled Bourbonmom.

And SootsAndArya, you know you’re in big trouble. No amount of cuteness can save you from the wrath of the mad cat mama tonight. Be afraid! :-)

]]> By: terrible person http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1356 terrible person Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:58:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1356 Just to bring everything full circle: there's a brand of oil for bicycles called <a HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Pedros-SynLube-4oz-6010041/dp/B000VEMMG0" REL="nofollow">Pedro's Synlube</a> -- when I saw the name "Pedro" in the title for a second I thought, wait, she's not advocating using THAT, is she? Just to bring everything full circle: there’s a brand of oil for bicycles called Pedro’s Synlube — when I saw the name “Pedro” in the title for a second I thought, wait, she’s not advocating using THAT, is she?

]]> By: SootsandArya http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1355 SootsandArya Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:26:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1355 Birth control good but if our mom had uzed we not be here to mess up ur yarn ball ... OK maybe not such good exampl.<br/><br/>Overpopulation of katz & dogz 2...not enough foster homes ... we glad & lucky u & big clumzy guy adopt us and give us yarn ball 2 play w/! thxby. Birth control good but if our mom had uzed we not be here to mess up ur yarn ball … OK maybe not such good exampl.

Overpopulation of katz & dogz 2…not enough foster homes … we glad & lucky u & big clumzy guy adopt us and give us yarn ball 2 play w/! thxby.

]]> By: Burbanmom http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1353 Burbanmom Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:54:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1353 That's probably the best post you've ever done. GOSH! That’s probably the best post you’ve ever done. GOSH!

]]> By: Katie http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1352 Katie Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:37:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1352 Like Cindy I have four kids, one biological and three adopted from foster care in NYC. In fact our family looks a lot like yours, Cindy! I agree that it is a perfect balance of a desire to have a large family and helping the planet (and other beings on it) a bit. <br/><br/>I was inspired to adopt in the mid 90's after reading a WHO recommendation that essentially stated anyone wanting a large family should consider adopting.<br/><br/>Many of those children in foster care that you mentioned in your post are legally free for adoption. Adoption from the foster care system is largely free and often times an adopted child is eligible for a subsidy because they are considered "hard to place" after a certain amount of time in the system.<br/><br/>I've blogged about my adoption experience here http://frugalveggiemama.blogspot.com/2005/04/adoption-from-foster-care-fresh-air.html <br/><br/>Adoption from foster care is a great option. Ok I've put my soapbox away. Talk about coming out of lurking with a bang! Like Cindy I have four kids, one biological and three adopted from foster care in NYC. In fact our family looks a lot like yours, Cindy! I agree that it is a perfect balance of a desire to have a large family and helping the planet (and other beings on it) a bit.

I was inspired to adopt in the mid 90’s after reading a WHO recommendation that essentially stated anyone wanting a large family should consider adopting.

Many of those children in foster care that you mentioned in your post are legally free for adoption. Adoption from the foster care system is largely free and often times an adopted child is eligible for a subsidy because they are considered “hard to place” after a certain amount of time in the system.

I’ve blogged about my adoption experience here http://frugalveggiemama.blogspot.com/2005/04/adoption-from-foster-care-fresh-air.html

Adoption from foster care is a great option. Ok I’ve put my soapbox away. Talk about coming out of lurking with a bang!

]]> By: Julia http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers/comment-page-1/#comment-1351 Julia Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:07:00 +0000 http://fakeplasticfish.com/2008/02/plastic-free-sex-part-2-pedro-offers-you-his-protection/#comment-1351 I have to say, thank you. I've been on the pill for eight years now, and am getting mighty tired of the side effects, of which one horrendous one is migraines. I've just made an appointment to get an IUD fitted, but after having read so many blogs and websites n' such, have been feeling guilty about the possible synthetic hormones, plastic, etc. My husband and I don't want children, but neither of us really wants surgery, either. <br/><br/>By reminding me that I am getting an IUD so that I can be as sure as possible (sans surgery) that I'm not going to have an unwanted child, and that I will be having a lower environmental impact overall because of it... well, you've set my mind somewhat at ease.<br/><br/>Still scared stiff about the possible pain involved in the insertion, but it's only once every 10 years, so I suppose I'll survive. :-) I have to say, thank you. I’ve been on the pill for eight years now, and am getting mighty tired of the side effects, of which one horrendous one is migraines. I’ve just made an appointment to get an IUD fitted, but after having read so many blogs and websites n’ such, have been feeling guilty about the possible synthetic hormones, plastic, etc. My husband and I don’t want children, but neither of us really wants surgery, either.

By reminding me that I am getting an IUD so that I can be as sure as possible (sans surgery) that I’m not going to have an unwanted child, and that I will be having a lower environmental impact overall because of it… well, you’ve set my mind somewhat at ease.

Still scared stiff about the possible pain involved in the insertion, but it’s only once every 10 years, so I suppose I’ll survive. :-)

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