A bit of background:
When DD1 was born I was fairly young (23) and suffered horrific PND. She had undiagnosed CMPA & tongue tie and I was at breaking point with no sleep and a constantly crying baby. I felt like I didn’t know how to look after her and didn’t trust my own judgement or decisions to do with her well-being/felt like I wasn’t good enough etc.
I was raised catholic (attended catholic school and went to church most Sunday’s) but from early teenage years was vocal about the fact I personally did not believe in it all, no disrespect to anyone but it was just my personal beliefs, this has not changed into my adult years.
My mum a few months after DD1 was born kept pushing the idea of me getting her baptised, and guilt tripped me with comments about it “protecting her” and getting her into a good school etc. Again no disrespect, if someone’s beliefs for their own child is that baptism protects them then I think this is lovely, it is just my opinion.
I agreed to baptise her at 10 months old, during the ceremony I felt uncomfortable repeating the words “I believe” or “we will” back to the priest about something I don’t believe. I felt like I shouldn’t have been doing it and that it wasn’t fair on the church community.
I now have a second DD who will soon be turning 2, the pandemic has meant I haven’t baptised her but now my mum is raising the issue again. I’m also expecting our 3rd & final child later this year.
Would it be unfair to not baptise my second two children?
My mum is saying I have to give all my children the same treatment, opportunities and for them not to feel left out. Of course I agree with this, but my first DD attends a non religious school which I adore and in all other aspects of life I obviously treat my children completely equally and adore them all the same.
She’s making me feel incredibly guilty. Please help with opinions!