The subject of “parties” and “celebration” came up concerning Andres. I’m not a person who really likes parties, much less throw one. I like get-togethers with a small number of people and going out. My mother-in-law is a Jehova’s Witness and so she doesn’t do parties. Today was my husband’s nephew’s birthday and his parents threw him a little something at Chuck E Cheese. Of course she didn’t go, although she did say she was going to go, I think she would feel bad going when she’s not suppose to go.
Anyway, My husband’s aunt asked if we would celebrate Andres’ birthday, and my mother-in-law, forgetting that he’s my son, not hers, said no, of course not. But I said yes. She looked at me and said, well it’s up to the parents, if they want to throw him a birthday party then okay, but I’m not going to go, I’m not even going to his wedding (now she’s thinking way ahead, he’s only 7 months old!) I’m not going to disrespect Jehova just for something like this. She said it a bit… weird, I guess. Kind of like trying to make us feel bad? But I don’t feel bad.
I have to ask my husband about this. I want to know how he feels because it is his son and I don’t want to disrespect him. He grew up without going to parties or participating in class parties/celebrations. I wonder how he felt as a little kid seeing everyone celebrating and he couldn’t because his mother send them a card saying that he is not to participate. I don’t know, but to me it’s sad because a child should have fun. I would think he’d want him to have fun, but I don’t know how he feels about it. He’s not a Jehova’s Witness no more he says, but depending on how one grows up, i think, they are still going to have some beliefs that will stay with them.
I understand what my mother-in-law means by “it doens’t need to be his birthday or christmas to give something”. Of course it doesn’t need to be. I understand. But what I want is for him to have some fun, especially because kids are always talking about their birthdays and I don’t want him to feel bad and think that we don’t want to give him anything on his birthday. I don’t know if that’s how Jehova’s Witness kids feel like that or not. I’d have to ask my husband.
What do you guys think about this? Is there any reader out there who is a Jehova’s Witness? Or anyone who isn’t?
Wow! What a dilema and I couldn’t even think of a solution where everyone leaves pleased. I am silenced.
This probably should be a decision for you and your husband. Mayeb the three of you could do something small, private and together to see how it goes. It sounds like your parents want to be involved too.
This has the potential of “blowing up”.
Why teach your kid they have to be like everyone else? “Oh, look, Johnny’s having a birthday party, you should have one, too, so you don’t feel left out! Oh, look, Johnny’s turned into a crackhead. You should do it, too, so you don’t feel left out!”
i’m practically in a similar sittuation but not married or even close to. i respect their beliefs but i am sometimes confused by them. My entire family all have negattive comments about them but i believe that we should atleast cosider and try to understand why they believe what they do.