To refuse to dress my child in religious propaganda?

[YanknCock]

I love my grandmother, but ever since she went into the nursing home and my uncle became her guardian, I've noticed something. On birthdays she used to send 'normal' cards, now they are always very religious and probably bought from the Christian shops my uncle likes to frequent. He's VERY religious.

So today a gift arrived for my 11 week old DS. It was sent by my uncle on behalf of my grandmother. I don't know if she had a hand it picking it or not. It is a blue vest. One the front there is a green camouflage cross with the words 'GOD SQUAD' emblazoned across it, and underneath it says 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. Found a pic of it here.

Then I turned it over.

'TRAIN A CHILD UP IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO AND WHEN HE IS OLD HE WILL NOT TURN FROM IT - PROVERBS 22:6'

Ummmmmm....

Those of you who aren't religious, or those who are but don't care to advertise it on your child, what would you do with this? And how do I word my thank you note without committing DS to wearing this thing?

Dear X

Thank you so much for the gift you so kindly sent the baby. I enclose a photo of him wearing it for you to see.

Love YnC.

Then don't out him in it again if you don't want too.

They are happy an no harm done.

'It is a beautiful colour'

Quick thank you note (no pic, I'm never that organised) and straight to Charity shop.
Nothing to be gained by making an issue out of it.

anyway it's a vest so he can wear it under things.
Bless her....

wow :| that is a really strange gift for them to select knowing you are not religious and not really into kind of thing. from the sounds of it your uncle is behind it more than your grandmother, perhaps shes not even aware what gift was chosen, so maybe something like "beautiful colour" as kathy said would be the best, as she might be upset to know you'd been given a gift from her that you wouldn't like.
if someone gave that for my child i wouldn't put them in it, just leave it til he's outgrown it then pass it onto charity or something. atleast its a vest, normally to go under the clothing so they wont know if he wore it or not?

Definitely don't intend to make an issue about how ridiculous I think it is, just feeling a bit bad about how vehemently I am opposed to him wearing it at all, even under other things!

Hi,

I am a Christian and I take DS to Church with me but I'd be a bit about DS wearing something like this, I agree with Fab, send a note with a pic of your DS in it, then you've done your bit without committing yourself to declaring it your favourite gift.

FWIW DS had some truly hideous (non religious - not that it matters)outfits from exh's family - and I got most offended about an brand name tracksuit in LILAC ffs! Lovely DS is about the most boyish boy you will ever meet. I used to dread them pitching up with more ill thought out crap I wouldn't have put DS in in a fit gifts knowing I'd have to plaster on a grateful smile and can't even sell the outfits you wouldn't be seen dead in clothes on ebay cos NO ONE would pay for them. Conversely, my Sister provides all the gorgeous outfits and I do enjoy her spoiling her nephew!

I divorced my ex but that may have been a rather drastic solution....

Enjoy your LO, 11 weeks! broody emoticon

Bloody Catholic guilt still gets me even though I lapsed years ago....

and forgot to add I can't stand camouflage anything! A camouflage cross? I was actually speechless when I opened it.

Whyohwhyohwhy do my strikeouts never work????

Is there anyway that you can tell your uncle not to bother in future, and sort somethimg out yourself?

Are the cards even signed by your grandmother?

agree don't make an issue - just thank and get rid

my dd got a playboy bunny t shirt as a baby. It revolted me. I make a fuss out of it and hurt some feelings. Wasn't worth it. Should have just ranted here instead

(You've got to do strikeouts on every individual word)

You need to put the -- in front of and after every single word, not the phrase

lol. Agree - photo then Oxfam.

ooooooo!

triesagain--
Gets a grip!

thanks so much!

wanders of with a sense of acheivement

xM

I am religious and I can wholeheartedly say that I would never, ever dream of putting any child of mine into an outside as cheesy and hideously bad taste as that!

And if you don't tell her, then she'll send more. Be tough, tell her that you're children are not walking billboards for the church.

your

I wouldn't take a photo of him in it, you might end up with more of the same if it looks like you are too receptive to it. very odd gift for a little person anyway.

Have just looked at size...it's 18 months, and DS is small.

I think I will skip the 'put him in it and photograph' idea....it's too big anyway, and it would probably only encourage the uncle.

A CAMOUFLAGE cross. Beyond tacky. Agree with Herjazz, I will rant here and say nothing to them (beyond generic thank you). But I might tell my mom, she'd probably find it amusing.

Oh I would tell them, sorry but I would. And I'm religious. But I hate hate hate someone's beliefs being forced down other peoples throats, esp when it comes to children.

I would probably be quite rude about it.

OR, photograph your ds in one of these and send them that photo instead!

Cheers Rhubarb! I quite like some of [[http://www.cafepress.co.uk/+satan+baby-bodysuits?page=1&sort= these].

I wouldn't say anything to my grandmother because she's 82 with dementia. I only get to see her about once a year as she's in the U.S., so each time I'm conscious it could be the last.

However...the uncle. He and his wife have been up on their religious high horse for years. His wife told my aunt (her SIL) that she was going to hell because aunt and her partner aren't married and have children (they've been together 13+ years, aunt is marriage-shy as she was divorced young). Never mind that everyone KNOWS the NOW-religious aunt and uncle had to get married because she got pregnant!

They also voted for George Bush.

Basically after my grandmother dies I don't intend to have anything to do with them. But my dad's brothers and sisters squabble so much amongst themselves, and it makes my grandmother so sad, I can't see doing anything about it now. I was on the verge of telling them what I thought when the aunt wrote me to tell me she was voting for Bush after I'd mentioned going on a protest march against the war. Nevermind that her nephew, my brother, was sitting in Iraq because of that idiot. As long has her family is 'safe' and the gays can't get married.....

Sorry, these.

Burn it and send the remains back.

Yes, you could say it spontaneously combusted and that you think it might be a message from the Holy Spirit