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?

We go to church, and I think they're hideous. So YANBU! But I'd just write the thankyou note, personally. I was brought up just to thank people for the thoughts even if I didn't like the gift itself. But perhaps I'm just a wuss!

Erm, I'm Church of England but there is no way in the world I would dress my child in that. Ever.

I think it's a US thing, no?

From your grandmother?
Thank her nicely and use the t-shirt as a duster if you don't like it

You could dress DC in it on a couple of occassions when you visit her in teh nursing home.

Well if she is in the US you can say something along then lines of it being unlike anything in the shops over here

Dear Y, Thank you so much for thinking of (name of child) on her birthday. You are very kind.

I hope that you are feeling blah blah blah etc.

Lots of Love

You

I don't think any detail needs to be gone into at all. You are just telling the truth by thanking them for the thought but commenting no further on the actual item. Kinder all round!

Dear X,

Thank you for ds's present. It was very kind of you to think of him.

Love,
Yankn

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To be completely cliched, it's the thought that counts. Besides, you know how fast babies grow .

Would do as Fab says.

Or even just send a note and no photo.

There is no requirement for him to wear it - or do you see them daily?

Oh it's definitely a U.S. thing, one of the things that makes me glad I live in the UK!

Briefly considered the earlier point that it is a vest and can be worn under stuff, but he will be going to nursery and I wouldn't want the staff to see it when changing him!

@littleducks

I'd do the burning thing too. Unbelievable piece of foul indoctrination in the worst possible taste.

Do not feel bad about never wanting to put your child in it.

I think it sounds fab! Where can I get one?

My friend told me to put it on ebay, so Hully, I will let you know when I do and you can bid for it

Perhaps it is a 'bless'ed vest' with power beyond simple warmth. Is it some sort of 'back door baptism' built into the fabric.
You are right about the camoflauge and cross thing - they are at odds. That must have been a real OMG moment opening that!

I would thank your grandmother, it doesn't sound as if she had much to do with the choice. I would however have Words with your uncle - he can't really take umbrage as the gift wasn't really from him. Just something along the lines of "Well that was an interesting vest, did Gran really choose that herself?" and when he admits to using his own poor judgement, you can commence the broadside.

eeeek! 'back door baptism'!

My MIL would love that . Our local evangelical bookshop has loads of stuff like that, even for teens/adults. MIL has been warned....

Perhaps in your thank-you note you could find some polite way to say that you aren't too keen on clothes bearing slogans ... I don't, its a bit weird if someone leans in close to read it.

LOL that is priceless. I do belong to a religion and am bringing up the dcs that way but why advertise it on a t-shirt! YANBU to never want to put your ds in it, just write a polite thank you note and bin/charity shop/burn it.