AIBU to be irritated by Prince Harry's attitude to third and subsequent children?

[Irishgurl]

So my youngest DC is 12. Incredibly aware of environmental issues and is beginning to think of a career in Marine Biology. Already follows environmental blogs, has joined school focus groups for this and keeps our family in check on our environmental responsibility. And is very sad to have read Prince Harry's comments on third children being something that is damaging to the planet. I do find it rather frustrating that I have had to discuss this with a child. The planet is being damaged and no one can deny it. But it is really naive to point the finger of blame on third and subsequent children in a family. It doesn't matter to me how many children you have as long as you bring them up to add something to society rather than take away ( and this includes the environment). The more children the better , as long as they are contributing and making the world a better place? I think he should apologize to all third children ( and 4th and 5th). And that includes his Mother, Prince Louis, my lovely 12 year old and many more fantastic human beings who really don't deserve to be told that they are bad for the planet!

He Is a sanctimonious little know it all! It’s ok for him because he’s one of the most fortunate people in the world. I do think you’re taking it personally though after all his own brother has 3!
After his nonsense with the private planes and yachts I think we can all safely ignore his views on climate change.
I personally wouldn’t have 3 children but it doesn’t work me up enough about other people choosing to!

"Children don't have to be 'a drain on resources' if they make educated choices in life."

No matter how conscientious and educated you raise a child to be, it's still more cars on the road (presuming they learn to drive when they're older), more housing, more waste.

Having said that I'd never judge someone for having a third child and I think it's ridiculous that Harry and Meghan are using the environment as an argument considering all their private jets etc!

But he didn't say it! I only wanted two children. That decision had nothing to do with environmental issues.
OP can you please give the direct quotes of the bits that annoyed you?

If your 12 year old is really as environmentally aware as you say, she would agree with that sentiment.

It doesnt mean you're bad people for having a 3rd child, but it is bad for the environment.

I think he should apologize to all third children ( and 4th and 5th). And that includes his Mother...

Princess Diana? Why, and indeed, how?

He isn’t blaming the 3rd, 4th and 5th children is he? He is saying that as individuals/ parents, having lots of children is a selfish and disproportionate drain on the earth’s resources. Whilst recognizing the right of everyone to have children, sticking to the average number is sensible. I have seen so many threads about this of late, no doubt from defensive people with large families.

Sorry, I have to work for a few hours but I'm not ignoring the replies. I will answer later. thank you for the replies.

He is entirely correct.

And if your third and subsequent children dont grow up to save the planet, then what OP? Do we get our money back? Over-population is a huge problem, particularly in developed countries where we all have a huge resource footprint. That's not your 3rd/4th/5th childs fault but it will be their problem as they and their children have to deal with the world we've created.

I don't think it's unreasonable to point this out when he is questioning the moral right of other people to even bloody exist:

Prince Harry's a bit dim, and he's got worse since marrying an American progressive as you might expect because dim + crazed ideas is never a great combo.

It'll probably take a million of those children from ordinary families to pay for his parasitic lifestyle and they will be unlucky if any of them has 1% of the environmental impact he has.

@GibbonLover, Diana was a 3rd child.

@Irishgurl sorry but you're thinking too much about it. You sound defensive because you have three kids.

And he's not wrong.

Didn’t see that comment but how dare he say that?!! I’m all for the Royals championing things (not a Royalist but others love them) However, Harry and Megz make themselves look like right knobs by flying by private jet to a climate change conference. Sure, do charity work, but this isn’t the right thing for them. Phew!

It doesn't matter to me how many children you have as long as you bring them up to add something to society rather than take away

And yet you say your kid keeps your family in check on your environmental responsibility?

I hope he doesn't share your view.

On mumsnet it seems a divine sin to have more than two children. Having less children is better for the environment in the long run, that is correct not just nonsense. However, in his situation I too thought how many children they would be able to have would largely depend on Meghan's age. She is not exactly young in terms of childbearing. Also several members of the royal family do tend to have smaller families as do the wealthy(usually), less kids to split an inheritance with and all that. Overpopulation is a problem but not the fault of individual children.

You are taking this bizarrely personally?!

Surely this isn't the first time you have come across this quite reasonable position? There are two many people on the planet.

He's not criticising your DS personally.

He's (very mildly, let's be honest) criticising your choices, as parents.

You'd better give your DS some coping strategies, because this isn't going to be the only time he encounters this opinion in the coming years.

He is famously thick. Not worth getting worried about.

Explain to your 12yo that 3+ children being bad for the environment wasn't really a 'thing' when they were conceived thirteen years ago and has only recently come to the fore due to environmental issues being a hot button topic. Tell him/her that no one is saying existing third children should not have been born or that they are destroying the planet, the discussion is more about ways in which we (as a species) can protect the planet moving forwards from now. Steps like getting rid of single use plastics, reducing reusing and recycling, shopping local, using cars less, and thinking about the environmental impact of life choices such as family size.

It doesn't need to be a hand-wringing moment. Price Harry is not sitting at home right now cursing all third-borns for being planet wrecking little shits. You're overthinking it.

I'm kind of not getting his concern over having a third child but he seems happy enough to use a private jet 3-4 times in a space of a month and yet there is no problem with him doing that? How are people meant to take his environmental concerns seriously?

It doesn't matter to me how many children you have as long as you bring them up to add something to society rather than take away ( and this includes the environment). The more children the better , as long as they are contributing and making the world a better place?

You are wrong. Whilst 1 person can use the resources for 10 people, which is bad, 1 person can never reduce their resource use below 1. Regardless of how they live.

We're at climate crisis, over population is a threat to our existence. As much as it pains me, there'll be no number 3 for us.

*too many

Meghan Markle is both approaching 40, and is of African descent on her DM's side. Both are factors which greatly increase the likelihood of twins/multiples.

If MM became pregnant with twins, baby 2 and 3, I wonder if Harry would be a man of principle and insist on fetal reduction... to save the planet? Somehow I think not.

Just like his preaching about our carbon footprint after his 2nd private jet trip this week, his advice is just for the plebs.

It sounds very much like you've come here and posted without even reading the interview

Too many royals and hangers on are def a drain on society

Ffs another harry and meg bashing thread.
I am sure this has been said by other people,

I’m no fan of the royal family, but honestly...

You and your 12 year old are really sad about something he didn’t actually say?

Blimey.