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South Jersey Babies
Vent! Christening
So my husband and I are not very religious people at all. I was raised Methodist and he was raised Catholic. We were married in the Methodist church that I grew up in and his family had a really HUGE problem with that. My MIL gave us so many problems over it and laid on the guilt as thick as she could. It caused a lot of problems and I had several major meltdowns over it in front of her. So now that we are going to be having the christening, it's going to be at the same Methodist church we were married in. I really want to raise our girls there because I think it's important to have that foundation. My hubby could care less about church. Anyway, all the godparents are Catholic. My family is fine with the girls being baptized Methodist, but again his family (including one of the godfathers) is not happy at all. They believe that since all the godparents are Catholic that the girls should be baptized Catholic. I would think that they would just be happy that we are baptizing the girls and that they will be raised in church. Who cares what religion, we all believe in the same thing essentially. I don't know if I will be able to hold my tongue like I did with the wedding. If someone says something to me, I think I will have to say something back and it probably won't be very nice lol. I don't know why his family can't just understand that this is our family and they have no say in how we raise them. They really try to run every decision that we make with them and it is driving me crazy. Okay I feel better after getting that out, what are everyone's thoughts on this?? Am I wrong for feeling this way??
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Re: Vent! Christening
You're not wrong, they need to butt the eff out! My H is Methodist & I'm Catholic and we baptized our daughter Catholic because I was brought up in the church and he's Methodist for the sake of paperwork. As long as you and your husband are in agreement then that's all that matters.
If the godparents have issues with it I'd tell them you'd have no problem finding a godparent who doesn't take issue with it. Better yet let your husband say it since it's his family giving all the grief.
It's suppose to be such a happy and blessed time for all of you...it stinks that you are experiencing this and it is taking away from the meaning of this very special time in all of your lives. (i'm holding my tongue). Plus it's an honor to be a godparent and in this day in age...rare that they are even being baptized. Maybe your DH can have a discussion to just say--- we understand you may not agree with our choice but understand that are children will be raised with faith and we just ask that you respect that...you don't have to agree but just respect our decision and celebrate with us.
One thing to consider without starting WWW3 and upsetting your husband's uncle is to kindly/gently but firmly explain that you and your husband have decided to raise your girls Methodist (which by the way is not that far off from Catholicism!) and this is very important to both of you and to have your girls raised with that spiritual foundation. Go on to nib their first rebuttal immediately by saying " Yes, DH was raised Catholic but he has not been a practicing Catholic for years before we were even married. We were married in the Methodist Church and regardless of our religion...it is most important to us and our girls that they are raised to have faith and a spiritual foundation. We really reflected on who we chose to be godparents b/c godparents will play such an important role in their lives--the godparent role in the Methodist church is not different from Roman Catholic. We would be honored for you to be that for our daughter. But we understand if you are not comfortable with being a godparent and will be thrilled to still have you as their uncle."
Flip the switch on all of it and instead of letting it upset you, hurt you or ruin this for you....lay out your decision and let them decide if they want to be a part of this or not. Of course they are going want to be there for your girls and will be honored....they just may need a little Catholic guilt to help them get there!!! (I can say that as a Catholic...HA HA)
Best of luck with this. Sounds like your husband is very supportive and it just may taking a little coaxing of your MIL and his uncle. Just don't let this ruin it.