husband and daughter missing christening due to sports

[Anonymous]

OP doesn't say what faith they are, but in a Catholic baptism, there is a blessing of each parent. The sacrament of baptism is not only about the child. In an infant baptism the role of the parents is very important, because they are giving assurance that they will raise the child being baptised in the Catholic faith and upon Catholic values. The child's parents are apart of the sacrament, whether it is one or two. Yes, a single parent would be the only one presenting the child for baptism, but a married couple would present the infant for baptism together. It is also a part of the vow taken in a Catholic marriage, so to just not show up for it is a big deal. I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't the church require the parents to present the child? How is that going to work?

Surely the church has baptized children of single parents before.

So now OP is a is single parent?

PP was claiming two parents need to be there for a baptism to take place. That's not the case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since he’s 15, your son can and should go with another family to the tournament. Your DH is absolutely wrong here. He can miss one day.

This. Absolutely this. It is insane that your husband is skipping a baptism to chauffeur a teen.

He's a Pushy Sports Dad who can't possibly imagine not being a part of this tournament. How else can he relive his own youth? The 15 year old could easily go with another family, but Pushy Sports Dad won't entertain the idea of such a travesty. And then when the newest baby is old enough for sports, Dad will be too old and crotchety to participate.

Hope he's happy being on his in-laws' ishtlist till the end of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

Did OP state which was scheduled first, the soccer game or the baptism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

Did OP state which was scheduled first, the soccer game or the baptism?

It literally doesn't matter. The dad isn't the coach, he doesn't need to be there. Churches only baptize certain Sundays a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

Did OP state which was scheduled first, the soccer game or the baptism?

I believe OP said the christening was scheduled first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

Did OP state which was scheduled first, the soccer game or the baptism?

OP said that baptism was scheduled first and husband was a part of the planning process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

Did OP state which was scheduled first, the soccer game or the baptism?

It literally doesn't matter. The dad isn't the coach, he doesn't need to be there. Churches only baptize certain Sundays a year.

Hah, both my kids were baptized on a Saturday at our Catholic church, because Sunday is too busy with back-to-back masses. Depends on the church I guess. Also, they do group baptisms but never had any other babies show up at our scheduled time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel like other posters feel it too...OP what aren't you telling us?

...your marriage is on the rocks?
...your husband comes from a culture that prioritizes sports / boys over all else?
...your husband finds excuses not to spend time with the family?
...your husband is having an affair with another soccer parent?
...your husband hates your family?
...why did you intentionally have kids with such a large age gap?

Quite likely at least three of these things are true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP doesn't say what faith they are, but in a Catholic baptism, there is a blessing of each parent. The sacrament of baptism is not only about the child. In an infant baptism the role of the parents is very important, because they are giving assurance that they will raise the child being baptised in the Catholic faith and upon Catholic values. The child's parents are apart of the sacrament, whether it is one or two. Yes, a single parent would be the only one presenting the child for baptism, but a married couple would present the infant for baptism together. It is also a part of the vow taken in a Catholic marriage, so to just not show up for it is a big deal. I actually think a priest who knew Dad skipped out for a soccer game would tell the family to reschedule and rethink their commitment. It's not just a ceremony; it's a sacrament.

Thank you PP and in any Christian church the importance of parental involvement and taking of vows/pledge etc are similar, vowing to raise the child in accordance with Biblical values etc. I said it before, this isn’t even a discussion in Christian religious families so there is something bigger happening here. Either husband’s belief in their “shared” religion has wavered, or wasn’t foundational tenet of his life or… I don’t even know what else. Because a dislike of the family (others have guessed) wouldn’t be enough to cause a man, a Dad, to skip this religious ceremony for sport.

[Anonymous]

How old is your older child? I would reschedule the baptism. It is weird to do it and not have the baby's father there.

[Anonymous]

If Dad can’t make it, the whole family skips the baptism and goes out to lunch on the rez (minutes the soccer start and his dad). No need to baptize the kid parents aren’t upholding their end on the sacrament anyway.

[Anonymous]

My kids are very involved in sports. There is no soccer tournament that can't be missed for a 15 year old boy. You are going to regret it if they go. You'll be the one stuck explaining why they aren't at the baptism, and you will look crazy.

[Anonymous]

OP, what level is your son playing?

Even at MLS next level I cannot see any team/coach having an issue with a player missing a tournament or game for an event like this.

If you come back and report your son is on the white team, or red team, or blue team, then this is just beyond ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Seriously! Daniel Hudson missed a WS game for the birth of his child. I think either Sandy Koufax or Hank Greenberg missed an important game for Yom Kippur. This is just youth soccer!!