Chaz Moms and Moms-to-Be Chat (everyone welcome)

They have to say it like that to cover their ass if they were wrong -- this way, there's no chance for a lawsuit

For the record, my name is Karen Ann, and I have always liked it No one's ever had a problem pronouncing it, spelling it, or recognizing the gender. The only trouble is everyone always thinks I'm saying "Carrie", but that's okay.

Aww, thanks! I've had the name picked out since High School. Karen, for my late aunt, and Annalise because it's pretty, lol. The Annalise will be more of an "Aw-nuh", if that makes sense. Lol.

What is everyone doing (or have you done) as far as ceremonies...religious, spiritual, naming, etc. Like, baptism/christening/etc kind of things?

I consider myself Buddhist, although I don't practice at any sort of temple or go to meetings. I study Buddhism on my own, try to follow the Buddhist way of life, etc. None of my family is Buddhist (they're mostly agnostic or atheist). I also believe in a lot of pagan/Wiccan traditions, but I don't agree with all of their practices. However, Pagan baby blessing ceremonies have a lot of room for flexibility, and I feel as if it could be appropriate for my situation. It's something done at home, or at a rented space (like a hall), without any religious officials - it's usually led by the parents.

Would it be really, really weird to have a Pagan baby blessing/naming ceremony if I'm not technically a practicing Pagan?

My atheist friend had a baby naming ceremony! Everyone sang happy naming day and she didn't tell anyone the name of the child until the official partay! There was no official anything to do or list of rules, they just planned a great party and it involved unveiling the name!

It was amazing!! There was a huge party, there was cake, people made a video for the baby to watch at a later age, bunch of people made toasts and a few of the more religious relatives involved blessings and stuff in theirs, there were personalized M&Ms (which I thought was simply amazing)

Some of the toasts were hilarious, most made me cry..it was awesome!

I think it's great for people to get together, meet the baby, have a party... even if they aren't religious

They later had a baptism, they learned it was really important for her husband grandmother (she didn't want to see the baby end up in baby hell or limbo or whatever). They aren't religious so they figured, what's the harm in a little water on the babies head if it means so much to grammy? The priest was even understanding and was happy to do it.

We had Hannah dedicated. Baptisms are for adults or those past the "age of accountability". Baptism needs to be a personal choice to commit their own life to God, so that was out of the question. So we chose a dedication where our Pastor prays over us and Hannah so that we may be steadfast and strong in raising her up and that he may follow God for all her days and just for Gods love and blessing over us

I so wish more parents believed in this.

I was baptized as a baby... basically to have a party and for my grandparents (who didn't want their grandbaby to end up in hell. The kind of god that would send a baby to hell is a whole 'nother issue but HEY..) my parents are hardly religious but it was done anyway.
Put in catholic school (not because we were religious but because it was the best private school academically) where I had a first communion because it took $3000 off tuition if your child got it done (this policy has since been revoked. thank goodness) didn't want to do it AT ALL, kicked a fit the whole way through and was basically an atheist without the title even then.. hated missing horseback riding to go to sunday school and certainly hated the dress and ceremony.

By the time I got to high school and confirmation rolled around it was a well researched and decision I understood and I declined .. but I just wish I would've been given the chance to wait for that kind of choice instead of all the ceremonies happening before I was old enough to say no or even really understand it.

Can't complain too much I guess lol at least my parents never forced us to go to church or anything. But still... ugh. And people wonder where the accusation of religious people brainwashing their kids into religion came from. Let the kids make the choice for themselves when they are old enough to even understand it!

I did a pagan ceremony for Lilah....I was in a circle at the time and it was beautiful. By the time Cian came around I was no longer actively practicing with others so did not do anything formal.

Pagan ceremonies are meant to be modified to fit YOU...they are personal and fit your personal beliefs so yeah, anyone can do them really IMO

I'm agnostic but I love the idea that Fran posted about the naming party! I would never be able to keep things quiet though...

Lots of great ideas, I definitely want to have some sort of celebration/blessing after the baby is born.

Also, these made me laugh: http://www.babyzone.com/mom/motherhood/common-questions-great-responses_67806-page-2

When we have a kid we will likely be raising them in the Lutheran church, where babies are typically baptized as, well, babies-lol. We see it as a sort of entry rite into the Church. DH and I were both baptized as babies, and both want it for any child we have. Even if we were attending a church that didn't do infant baptism we'd probably have it done at his parents church.

A couple of months ago there was a baptism at the church we've been going to. The little girl was probably 8 or 9 months old. The pastor had any children in the congregation come up and sit on the floor so that they could see what was going on. He did the baptism ceremony, then carried the child in his arms around for the congregation to see and welcome. It was cool, and the baby was surprisingly cool with it all. No tears-just taking it all in.

Later on when you are older you go through Confirmation, essentially confirming the faith you were baptized into.

What are the opinions here on male circumcision? I've been seriously considering not getting my boy circumcised if he is a boy lol.

Morgan isnt. So theres my opinion.

LOL I see no need for it honestly.

If I have a little boy he'll be kept intact. DH is intact, so it's a non issue here.

eta, here's a massive thread on the topic: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167002

I'm not planning on circumcising if I have a son.

Ditto! The Canadian pediatric society doesn't even recommend it anymore, and it is considered elective surgery. Not sure about you guys below us

Its elective here as well. Where we were in hospital it was about $200.

all guys in my house match , no skin.

We viewed it as a needless procedure and weren't comfortable making decisions for an infant to have elective surgery. Looking alike wasn't a concern, since we felt that child and adult genitals look different anyway. And it's easy enough to talk to a child about differences in bodies

My ex was done so when we had our boys they were done. It cost $100 at the time to do it. With Nico I researched it much better and Doug and I decided to leave him intact. He has enough surgeries ahead of him. We see no point or reason to have it done and many reasons not too. So he is intact.