Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is wishing someone good luck for going to church offensive?

34 replies

PoptyPin · 14/12/2025 23:19

I did briefly mention this in a comment in my previous post but I’m creating a new post for advice!

This weekend my ex took my son to chat to a priest about possibly attending church as he’s been showing an interest in exploring his faith. I’m currently on holiday with our youngest and I text my son “Good luck with church today, Tom!”

I then text my ex to ask about meeting our son after school on Monday as I was coming back Monday morning from the holiday. He said, yeah ask Tom but I will say that wishing him good luck before meeting a priest did not go down well. Umm. What?

I thought he was joking and asked him are you serious and he said it did not go down well, that’s all he can say.

What the hell! Ex refused to say exactly why it didn’t go down well and say it was a weird thing to say and how upset our son is. Eh?!

Teen isn’t replying to my texts about meeting him after school but he never replies anyway lol.

Ex didn’t correct DS and say don’t worry, Mum was just wishing you well. It seems he went along with DS in assuming I had sinister intentions!

AIBU in texting good luck?

OP posts:
PoptyPin · 14/12/2025 23:28

gogomomo2 · 14/12/2025 23:27

It’s a bit weird to wish someone luck to go to church, mildly offensive actually

Is it? I didn’t mean to cause offence. I was just wishing him good luck as he’s never been to church before, it was a big step for him.

OP posts:
theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 14/12/2025 23:28

HeddaGarbled · 14/12/2025 23:23

Teen is being a teen and finding everything his mum does annoying (this is normal).

Ex is stirring and enjoying himself.

Ignore.

💯

You cannot get through life without annoying people, ESPECIALLY your kids. Don't make a big deal of it -

Squarestones · 14/12/2025 23:28

When I was growing up my very religious family wouldn't wish each other luck or describe someone as lucky because you don't have luck in their eyes, you have blessings and divine Providence (ie, God does things for or gives things to you, they don't happen by luck)

Could it be that? Priest makes it sound like he's Catholic? My family are Irish and very much Protestant but I wonder if it's the same belief underpinning it

gogomomo2 · 14/12/2025 23:27

It’s a bit weird to wish someone luck to go to church, mildly offensive actually

stayok · 14/12/2025 23:26

The way you phrased it is more like “hope it goes well “. Your ex is being a dick.

PoptyPin · 14/12/2025 23:25

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 14/12/2025 23:23

Ignore your ex. Speak to your son when you see him to see why/if it upset him.

Yeah I’m going to chat to him face to face. I haven’t mentioned it in a text.

OP posts:
PoptyPin · 14/12/2025 23:24

So my only thoughts are that it was taken to mean I was being sarcastic and insinuating that it related to catholic priests and sexual abuse?! It was the last thing on my mind and I only meant to wish him well, similar to if he had an exam or a rugby match etc. I know his mother (ex mother) was there too and would have probably assumed I meant that and agreed with DS. Aagh!

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 14/12/2025 23:23

Teen is being a teen and finding everything his mum does annoying (this is normal).

Ex is stirring and enjoying himself.

Ignore.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 14/12/2025 23:23

Ignore your ex. Speak to your son when you see him to see why/if it upset him.