How long is too long to wait for a Christening?

chelle828

I know that some people do it right away.  We did DS's at about 3 months.  This baby will be born end of April, and I'm thinking maybe of waiting until the fall (September) becuase of people being on vacations and stuff.   Too long to wait?

kevschickee2

It is a personal choice.  I like it done asap so for me that is too long to wait.

Emiliana7

Depends on your particular religion really. Are you Catholic or Protestant? In Catholicism- it is frowned on for waiting to accomodate people's schedules/vacations beyond the parents and not for long at that. For example Grandma can't fly in for 3-4 months and you wan to wait just to have her there.

However if this is a Protestant Christening then it doesn't have the same meaning behind it as a Catholic Christening/Baptism... so no problems scheduling around other family members vacations.

littlemermaid

 My first I baptised at 6 weeks, my second was baptised at 3 months.  We are godparents to our neice who was 9 months when she was baptised.  I have friends whose kids were over 1 year old before they were baptised.  So I don't think your child will be too old if you waited until the fall. 

jessicaclare

Emiliana7:

Depends on your particular religion really. Are you Catholic or Protestant? In Catholicism- it is frowned on for waiting to accomodate people's schedules/vacations beyond the parents and not for long at that. For example Grandma can't fly in for 3-4 months and you wan to wait just to have her there.

However if this is a Protestant Christening then it doesn't have the same meaning behind it as a Catholic Christening/Baptism... so no problems scheduling around other family members vacations.

Not to be a jerk, but that isn't really true. For some of the denominations, yes, but not all. We're Lutheran and we're strongly encouraged to baptism early. Baptism for us is similar to what it is for Catholics.

To answer the OP, I prefer to do it earlier. We waited until 11 weeks this time because of the holidays and it was too long. I prefer two months or less. Its really up to you and what you believe. 

So Long Astoria

Hell, my daughter is 2 1/2 and will be almost 3 when we finally get her baptised.

Long story there, but it's getting done.

penguingrrl

Our older daughter was 5 months, our younger one still isn't baptized.  It was scheduled for Dec. 6 but then both girls got RSV that weekend so we had to cancel and we're still trying to find a date that works to reschedule.  We're Catholic, but if we didn't schedule a date that worked for our entire families (parents and siblings, no one else is invited) we would never hear the end of it.  I think part of it depends on how you feel about it.  DH and I are no longer practicing Catholics and are only baptising to keep peace in the family, so we're not in a rush and will schedule around family schedules.

Goose51504

Honestly, it's a personal choice. Both of mine are/will be baptised late (five months) for Catholics and Protestants alike. Both times, it was delayed b/c of scheduling reasons/travel of VIP guests. I know, right? That's pearl clutching scandalous, y'all!

However, I have no doubt in my mind/heart/soul/big toe/whatevs that my children will go to heaven - regardless. And, you can take that to the bank.

 

 

cokt

We had DS baptized the day after his 1st b-day in the Catholic Church (MH's family is Catholic). No one seemed to care, although I think they were just happy we did it at all.

Emiliana7

jessicaclare:

Emiliana7:

Depends on your particular religion really. Are you Catholic or Protestant? In Catholicism- it is frowned on for waiting to accomodate people's schedules/vacations beyond the parents and not for long at that. For example Grandma can't fly in for 3-4 months and you wan to wait just to have her there.

However if this is a Protestant Christening then it doesn't have the same meaning behind it as a Catholic Christening/Baptism... so no problems scheduling around other family members vacations.

Not to be a jerk, but that isn't really true. For some of the denominations, yes, but not all. We're Lutheran and we're strongly encouraged to baptism early. Baptism for us is similar to what it is for Catholics.

To answer the OP, I prefer to do it earlier. We waited until 11 weeks this time because of the holidays and it was too long. I prefer two months or less. Its really up to you and what you believe. 

not jerky at all! ) that's fine, your opinion is your opinion. But even you say 'similar', similar is still not the same. But that's ok . It's all really personal choice. Its just, what makes it different (or similar, if you prefer) are the differences of what is believed in the particular faiths. That's why we have different churches, faith, and religions. Its what's great about the world. What's not so great is when people use thier faith to hurt others. I think we all can agree on that!

Peace.

hopefulmom

Since we don't baptise in our faith (non-denominational protestant) until the person has received Christ as their Savior they are at least over 4 years old and many times adults.  We DO Baby Dedications though and those are done 4 times a year at our church.  I guess it would depend when your DC was born.  I've seen kids anywhere from weeks to months to years old.