Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Christian MIL taking DC to Christian toddler group - I was unaware

507 replies

AtheistMama · 06/04/2022 15:12

Name change for this one.

My MIL does childcare once a week for DS aged 3, for which I am grateful for - they have a great relationship, and obviously it saves us money on nursery fees.

My MIL is a lovely women, not a bad bone in her body. She is also devoutly Christian, belonging to an evangelical church. DH was brought up as an evangelical Christian, but is an atheist and slowly detached himself from their church in his young adulthood. There is no animosity from his mother and the wider family about this (who are mostly also evangelical Christians).

DH and I have been together for 10 years, married for 5, but I have never really talked to MIL about my religious beliefs because she is quite sensitive/easily upset and I didn't want to offend her. The status quo has just been that it is obvious to all that DH and I are not Christian and it's been left at that.

My understanding of DH's families beliefs is that they think everyone who is not baptised is going to Hell; they also do not approve of homosexuality or gay marriage, sex before marriage, etc. I am an atheist and do not subscribe to these beliefs. In particular, the idea that they believe that I am going to Hell bothers me when I think about it. In general, I am anti-organised religion and was never going to bring DS up in any religious way.

MIL takes DS to a toddler's group at her church every week, but I was under the impression that it was open to the whole community and therefore not Christian (I think this came from DH not my MIL). I looked up the group today (was wondering about the timings for a seperate reason), and clocked that they have a Bible story every week.

I'm feeling a bit annoyed because if I had known about the Bible story bit when it was first suggested that she take him (years ago), I would have gently asked her to pick another activity. But now he's been going for a few years, he loves it and it's part of their routine. She would probably be upset by being asked to stop going (and probably it didn't occur to her that I wouldn't be happy about it).

However, I feel really uncomfortable about the Bible story, and annoyed that she didn't say anything at the start. Needless to say, DS has never mentioned it, so it's possible that he's running around the hall and not even listening to it.

DH tends to skirt around issues with his DM that might be upsetting because he thinks she's quite delicate and feels protective about her.

AIBU to bring it up with her now?

OP posts:
amoosee · 14/04/2022 21:01

[quote allthecrackers]@amoosee why homophobia? Christians aren't homophobic, only extremist ones. There are plenty of gay vicars and priests these days![/quote]
What an odd comment. I don't know any homophobic Christians. confused

The OP says that the MIL does not approve of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Did you read it?

Hippoevens · 14/04/2022 21:05

Many Christians are homophobic despite gay vicars and priests!

Gwenhwyfar · 14/04/2022 22:20

@Hippoevens

Many Christians are homophobic despite gay vicars and priests!
Define 'many'. Also, plenty of non-Christians are homophobic.
crepesncream · 14/04/2022 22:24

The OP says that the MIL does not approve of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Did you read it?
I'm talking from a personal view point. I personally don't know any. Not that they've disclosed their views to me anyway.

amoosee · 14/04/2022 22:31

@crepesncream

The OP says that the MIL does not approve of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Did you read it? I'm talking from a personal view point. I personally don't know any. Not that they've disclosed their views to me anyway.
So because you have never personally met any homophobic Christians, me commenting on the OPs mother in laws homophobia is odd?
crepesncream · 14/04/2022 22:36

Well I do know lots of homophobic people, but none that I know of are devout Christians. But sorry I misunderstood.

Mrsmch123 · 14/04/2022 22:39

I wouldn't be happy with my MIL doing this. Just because she offers childcare doesn't mean she can take your child to something you don't believe in. At the very least she should have fully disclosed what it was. I would ask for a different activity to take place.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page