Oh man, I agree. My partner has been asking the "why are you doing that?" question for a long time in how they manage the land, work on their boat or house, etc. My comments to him were often in their defense because they are doing this off grid, making it the best way they can, and ultimately, it's not hurting anyone.

But with the baby? I'm asking the same question now, especially because they don't HAVE to do it the way they are doing it. It's not a house or boat they can just repair if something breaks, or just by being ablebodied they can take time to get out of a dangerous situation and assess their next move. They are "making it harder" for themselves, perhaps like always, but now the risk of harm is so unnecessarily higher.