CHOICES TO BE MADE WHILE DATING

Ideally, when one is dating, there aren't too many complications to overcome. However , there can be issues especially when the usual proper guidelines of conduct are overlooked.

If the case arises when the girl becomes pregnant, there are some decisions that may need to be made. This can be a very trying and difficult time on both parties. Anger, frustration, guilt, depression can easily provoke people and hasty decisions should not be made. Every case is different and the right decision may be not the same in all cases. Some couples may choose to wait until after the baby is born before deciding what the next move will be. With a baby itself on the way, there is alot of planning to do, and one may not be able to concentrate fully on marriage and discerning if the person one is dating is still the right one for him or her. On the other hand, there may also not be enough time to get married sooner if you have not been dating for a long time and have made the wedding plans scheduled on shorter notice. Things can be more expensive this way, for example, the venue, food, cake, the dress without adequate time to plan. Furthermore, the priest will not marry a couple quickly without proper wedding instruction and classes.

I used to think that if a couple was pregnant, they had to get married. Well, there are some choices to be made, for the interests of all parties involved, including the baby. The decision will be a difficult one, in which both parties should seek advice from the priest and their families. One option is to have the baby and give it up for adoption. The couple may not be right for each other, and decide they need to part ways. Or they could still consider marriage after birth, but in the meantime, may give the baby for adoption or have other parents care for the baby. It would be great if they still want to get married and raise the baby together. Or another option is to keep the baby and choice not to get married if they feel they are not right for each other, or it simply was not the right time.

Hopefully, the right decision will be made for all, and ideally no will judge them the less now or in the future. But in any issue, large or small, we will ask Our Lady to help us make the right decision!