To expect children not to be throwing toy cars and racing each other up the aisle during a christening?

[sneezecakesmum]

It was a joint christening, 3 families, including my family and a good few people in the church.

I don't want or expect a ceremony celebrating and welcoming children into the church to be a solemn occasion and of course with lots of little ones who get tired and bored there will always be the usual chatting etc and that doesnt bother me at all.

But 4 children, approx 5-7 year olds were shouting, throwing a car up and down the aisle, and racing each other to each end?? To me they were old enough to play quietly at the back but their parents just ignored them. Other parents made an effort to calm their children, including me who got the baby to sleep and prevented him from howling.

We could hardly hear the vicar and he had to keep repeating himself. The church warden afterwards was very disapproving!

I expect to be called an old misery guts but I'll repeat I enjoyed all the little childrens chatter and still had a good experience, but I wonder if IABU to expect some consideration for the other families and ourselves at the christening?

[shootfromthehip]

Nope YANBU at all. Rude. I have missed numerous weddings and christenings hanging about outside churches because of my own DC and their loud behaviour. If they cannot behave they should be removed IMO.

[charleyturtle]

YANBU!

Personally I thin its appalling that parents let their kids behave this way in a church (or anywhere that public that isn't some kind of play area).

I agree with you that it isn't a solemn occasion but it is an occasion where you should be showing a little respect. I would be livid if this was going on at dds christening (I was pretty pissed off that my 4yo BIL kept shouting and squealing in the church at dd's christening) children need to learn where and when it is appropriate to play loudly and when and where you need to behave yourself.

[charleyturtle]

Curses! *think

[sneezecakesmum]

Thanks I really thought it was me being CBF about it! I really dont mind the 'why is that funny man washing that baby's head?' type thing, but throwing a car up the aisle and chasing after it was a bit much. I didnt let it ruin the day, just ignored it as life's too short to get upset about that type of thing

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Yanbu.

That is all.

Time and place etc.

[elQuintoConyo]

Then the church warden should have done/said something - or the vicar in the middle of his waffling on speech, or whatever it's called.

[Justforlaughs]

YANBU

[sneezecakesmum]

Nobody said anything to these children especially their own parents! Probably for the best as it would have been uncomfortable for everyone. We just did the british 'pretend you cant hear it' thing The singing did drown some of it out though!

All the little christenees were brilliant though!

[DangerousBeanz]

Definitely NBU.

[WhoNickedMyName]

YANBU. The parents should have taken them outside if they wanted to run around. Some people are so rude.

I'm not religious at all but even I raised an eyebrow at the man sat in front of me at a christening playing candy crush on his phone a few weeks ago. Totally disrespectful

[mumofthemonsters808]

I would not be happy with this either, mostly because it is very disrespectful and also I would be battling with my 3 year old who would want to join these children. Call me old fashioned too because I don't think this behaviour in a church is acceptable but I do not blame the children I blame their parents who should have taken control of this situation.

[sneezecakesmum]

crush candy on his phone in church. I might suggest to the vicar if I see him again to put a big red note on top of the order of baptism asking parents to respect the feelings of other people in church and exercise some control over their children (put more nicely than that though!)