AIBU to not want to baptise my babies?

I'd do it, because it's not fair to have done it for one and not the others

It could make a difference for school and marriage in future

It's not going to do them any harm!

Overall I agree with you, however catholics are not the only religious group who baptise.

I’d do it, and did do it, to get the children into the local Catholic primary. If that’s not a factor, I wouldn’t bother.

You and your DH should be doing what's best for your family.

I wouldn't be baptising my children just so they could get into a school but that's my personal preference.

I also wouldn't do it to appease family members , with all due respect they are your children and if you and DH are not practising catholics then I don't see the need.

Lol. That is ridiculous. This is one of the many reasons I hate Catholicism.
I was baptized against my parents wishes and I feel really weird about it.
To me means absolutely nothing and if it did I would organize getting myself baptized.

As someone baptised in the Catholic faith from a Catholic family I would baptise all 4 of them for the potential school admissions. Sorry, but that is my honest opinion. My sibling is still a practising Catholic and her local Catholic primary had what was considered a giant class size at 19 children. Their admissions policy is regular church attendance which does put off those who baptise for entry. This was also the same for the secondary so if you are wanting the primary check their policy.

My Mum babysat my children and would of course take them to the local Catholic church to me, my children are not baptised nor are we believers in the Catholic faith. My children saw it that they were learning about their Grandma's faith. They attended the local CofE school and learned about all faiths.

You've baptised one child - what material difference has that made to their, or your, lives?

If that's been positive, crack on and do all four.

If neutral, do nothing.

But pretendy Catholicism for school placements really grinds my gears.

Have you checked the rules for school admission ? I’m Catholic, and a school governor .. at our (popular) local feeder primary school .. Baptised Catholics are high up the list, and, the time beteeen birth & baptism is taken into account - to stop people getting thier children baptised a week before applications close.

Baptised Catholics get preferce to siblings.

We were both raised Catholic (Ireland) and had all the sacraments but didn't get married in church or christen our children as we don't believe. We've never regretted it.

However in your case, what you've done for one I'd do for all. The difference could create resentment down the line, whether in terms of schooling or wedding choices, or the other way because there's no opting out.

I wouldn't let them decide when they are older.

Not sure the not having time thing is about though as it would be one day, but you seem to bang on about being busy a few times since your post.

Not a Roman Catholic but a practising Evangelical Christian. Naturally I'm delighted when people turn to follow Jesus, but I've always found it really weird that people choose to do "life events" in a church where they a) never go to and b) don't actually follow it in day to day life.

OP, they're your children so please do what you think is best for them.

Absolutely pointless. Forcing your children into a cult whilst they are unable to decide for themselves, purely to please others. All that matters is that you love them.

This rather depends on whether you believe in a God who would condemn an unbaptised child, doesn’t it?

OP honestly you have to do what’s right for you and your family. If you want them baptised I would expect you could get your second done at the same time.

Personally, I cannot understand why someone would have their child baptised if they did not believe in Catholicism.

Clearly it's not actually one of the most important things to OP and her DH though?

I didn’t have my DD baptised and she went to a catholic primary school and a catholic secondary school, we didn’t go to church either

I was of the understanding that if it’s a public school they can’t turn away children for this reason. DD’s secondary school said it’s a huge misconception and they had many children of different faiths, including atheists

although the UK is "purported" to be non-secular, if you'd like all your children to attend a catholic school, you should definitely consider having them all baptised.

Presuming the only decent schools in your area are catholic?

She's pregnant with triplets, you get that don't you?

@TheMummyJade congratulations and I hope the rest of your pregnancy and the births all go well. 💞 I think you should do exactly as you and your husband want to, and the families need to move towards acceptance of the loss of your faith. Their feelings about it are their problem, not yours. You've got enough to deal with I think!

Wow. Is slagging off Catholic women for getting pregnant 3 times still something people do? Interesting to know, thought it does out in the 90s

I’d do it because unfortunately the school system is still in the clutches of churches so it lets you apply to the best school nearby possibly.

@TheMummyJade this
https://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/guidance-for-schools/admissions#:

@Gettingbysomehow 🙈

Fair enough. The CofE school we were situated next to only children from church going family were allocated a place

5 kids. Are you sure you aren't practising catholics?

It depends on the school's admission criteria.

Personally I would not, I am really uncomfortable with part of the RC rite being an exorcism.

Don't you have to attend church to enroll in a Catholic school?

I respectfully disagree with this.
Don't baptize them just to suit older family members. If faith is important to them when they grow up they can choose to be baptized then.