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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you should put your child in the required school

170 replies

Catvsworld · 23/03/2016 19:43

Today at my little ones nursery they were getting the children ready for Easter and all the children were invited to make Easter bonnets for a parade they were having

Standing in reception waiting for the door to open one of the children was really crying my daugter asked why she was crying I replied I am not sure

The mum then said she wants a hat were jw and don't do Easter I was like oh right and just kept my self to my self

She then proceeded to give the staff a leftlet and ask that her child not be involved in any Easter activitys Confused

Bit sad really all the tables were Easter bunnie themed

I think it's really sad and if your not happy with Easter, Christmas or birthdays, Dewli , can you not just find a religious school or your donomation for your child

It's just a bloody hat with a a few bunnies on and some bunnie themed activities ffs I am not Muslim but can see the good in allowing my little one get involved in eid activitys

By finding out more about a religion your not committing yourself or forsaking your god the way to stop people bombing the metro is to get the young educated in Diffrent ways a cultures surely

OP posts:
NewLife4Me · 23/03/2016 20:04

Toomuch

My dh did that Grin but they came home from school and said he was telling lies and they wanted to go to church with their friends on Sunday.

They were both none believers again by secondary.
We found it best to let them find their own way and certainly telling them it was a fairy story was expecting them to take sides, rather than work it out for themselves.

catkind · 23/03/2016 20:04

Catty thread huh? And we have a tiger too!

switswoo81 · 23/03/2016 20:05

I have a 4 year old jehovah witness in my class. ( Rural Irish Catholic school) . Met the parents at the start of the year s they could explain everything. Things I didn't know like saluting the flag. Absolutely no problem with her , for Valentine's Day children sponge painted hearts she did a butterfly. Parents are just lovely and I communicate with them a lot.
Other children know she doesn't learn about baby Jesus and doesn't go to birthday parties.

Original poster
Catvsworld · 23/03/2016 20:06

Tigeresslady1

Part of good religious education in learning that not all Christians Belive the same as you just as. Jewish children learn they are Diffrent levels and scots of jeudasim (sp)

OP posts:
Original poster
Catvsworld · 23/03/2016 20:07

Sorry sects not scots lol

OP posts:
LilacSpunkMonkey · 23/03/2016 20:08

Wow OP, you're being very offensive.

How about you try something Christians like to call 'tolerance'?

I'm not remotely religious but I also don't go around starting provocative threads designed to do nothing other than starting a bunfight.

ailbhel · 23/03/2016 20:08

Chocolate bunnies are definitely Holy, but I do find religion in state school weird. But then there's a state religion and the head of state is the head of the religion, soooooooooooo...

Owllady · 23/03/2016 20:11

There is a cat theme :o

Groovee · 23/03/2016 20:12

Part of dh's family are JW. They won't attend certain events. In some schools I work in the brethren are very religious too and their child would be removed too. It is entirely their decision and I respect it.

Original poster
Catvsworld · 23/03/2016 20:12

poster LilacSpunkMonkey

Why so

I just think it's odd to send your child to a school then exclude them from aspects of school life

OP posts:
meditrina · 23/03/2016 20:13

"Then homeschool or find a school to pander to your whims"

All state schools are required to have opt out arrangements for RE, other religious activities and SRE.

So the JW family are doing exactly as you recommend and using a school which meets its legal obligations to do this.

You might call it "pander to .... whims" but I call it "supporting a diverse society, by continuing practice which has existed since state schools were created 70 years ago and which now also sits firmly within the framework of the Equalities Act"

MySordidCakeSecret · 23/03/2016 20:13

YABU for thinking that subjecting a child to the hell that would be a JW school would ever be ok. And i feel very sad for that little girl for having such selfish parents. Shame on them.

Original poster
Catvsworld · 23/03/2016 20:14

poster meditrina Wed 23-Mar-16 20:13:01

Wow thanks I didn't no you could opt out thought it was just sex ed

To be honest think it's very sad

OP posts:
clam · 23/03/2016 20:15

Wonder if the parent in the OP was that marvellous poster way back who objected to the fact that their dc hadn't been given a part in the Christmas play, despite having told the school she didn't want them taking part in anything religious, as "we don't believe in God and all that shit."

LilacSpunkMonkey · 23/03/2016 20:19

Your OP and subsequent posts are offensive.

Don't make out you're concerned about the children. It doesn't wash.

You just wanted to have a bash at JWs.

GooseberryRoolz · 23/03/2016 20:21

People need to get a grip if you want a mono eduction with no culture of religion

Then homeschool or find a school to pander to your whims

Wow.

LynetteScavo · 23/03/2016 20:27

CatvsworlD You are being intolerant of other peoples beliefs....and your posts come across as somewhat disrespectful.

I'm Catholic, and have worked with several JW DC. Yes, I do find it tricky to get my head around why they choose not to celebrate things which are part of my every day life, but I fully respect their choice. I don't find it "odd".

Admittedly at times I still have to Google why JW don't do something, and I suggest you do the same, OP.

The JW families I have worked with have been brilliant in providing alternative suggestions such as "winter pictures" instead of Christmas cards, and I would imagine they would do "farmers hats" instead of Easter bonnets, or just a different activity. Their DC have never cried about not joining in an activity, as it's always been sensitively handled. In fact, the JW DC I know are the happiest, most level headed and well adjusted DC I have ever met.

I think the mother mentioned in the OP should have handed over the leaflet before her DC started nursery. Maybe she did and nursery have been crap at handling the situation. I don't know.

almondpoisson · 23/03/2016 20:27

is this a wind up? YABvvvU if not

MySordidCakeSecret · 23/03/2016 20:28

and the pp was right, cults shouldn't be pandered to. I was raised in one which is considered most similar to JWs, mainly because of it being non-trinitarian.

It'll be a good day when it fizzles out and they're both history.

summerdreams · 23/03/2016 20:32

Yanbu but I'm not getting involved. runs and hides Grin

MySordidCakeSecret · 23/03/2016 20:32

in terms of why, if it's the same as my family's then it's because they are seen as "worldly things"

Catsize · 23/03/2016 20:33

Freedom of religion is a human right and it bothers me when children are denied that freedom. If my children one day express an interest in a different faith, or want to celebrate a religious festival different to our own, so be it.

LynetteScavo · 23/03/2016 20:34

I do, if I'm honest, consider JW to be somewhat of a cult, but if parents totally believe something harmless such as not wanting their DC to "do" Easter at school then I think it should be respected in an educational setting.

I wouldn't be so supportive in a medical setting if a child needed a blood transfusion.

AcrossthePond55 · 23/03/2016 20:35

People need to get a grip if you want a mono eduction with no culture of religion

Well, separation of church and state in education seems to work pretty well here. Grin

I was in the second grade when they did away with prayer and overt religion in public schools so I really don't know what JW parents did before then. We still did Easter and Christmas 'arts and crafts' (Bunnies, Santas) and I can't say I remember any of my classmates leaving the classroom or not participating. The only thing I remember about JWs was when I was older and they didn't have to do the Pledge of Allegiance.

StrawberryMouse · 23/03/2016 20:37

I was friends with a girl from a JW family as a child and felt it was really unfair that she wasn't allowed to participate in so many activities especially when I knew it was something she would have enjoyed.