29 September 2009

Baby's christening party ideas

| ConderKaz
Join the conversation
24

We’re looking at having our baby christened at the end of the year but we don’t know where to have the ‘after party’. We’ve got a lot of friends with small children and as this is our first child we don’t have any toys or play equipment at our home. We like the idea of having it at a party, like Kambah Adventure Park, Fadden Pines or Gordon Park but we’re worried about the weather. Does anyone know if it’s ok to put a marque up at any of these locations or is there an alternative venue that could be suitable?

Join the conversation

24
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Well said busgirl.I agree completely.
I think some of the comments did start out tongue-in-cheek..but somewhere along the way the sense of humour was lost!

Well done busgirl. You took the words right out of my mouth.

…ummm…conderkaz merely asked for “baby’s christening party ideas”…if she wanted your opinions on whether or not to christen her own child she probably would have posted “I need you nosey butt-heads to tell me how to raise my child” instead.

Hells_Bells7412:38 pm 30 Sep 09

I always seem the odd one out, but for me to claim I was ever religious came from within, certainly not from my mother’s indoctrination.

You see, my mum is Catholic, but wasn’t practising at all when my brother and I were born, not even married in a church. Then we had a fire that caused the death of my brother and the priest was called, also to baptise me because I was in a bad way too (was the done thing).

We then had nothing to do with the church, closest thing being the Salvo’s who helped us out greatly till my dad was killed a couple of years later and mum got his insurance.

But into my schooling at Maribynong primary, into year one, I became restless and was complaining alot to my mum that I was understimulated and was sick of just colouring in, so mum’s friend (my Godmother) suggested going to the same school as them, St Vincents in Aranda, a big improvement for me and I somewhat embraced religion for some time. By time I had got to year 6, I questioned it all. I still recieved my confirmation, but with two minds (and a big case of everyone else was doing it).

By time i was in year 9, I was sick to death of it all (Merici was hardcore religion).

I baptised my three girls into the same religion and the same primary school, because I had a feeling they would embrace it too (I just stand in the background and support them).. They have been fine and know the other side quite honestly and if they didn’t marry in a church or baptise their kids, I couldn’t care less!

I honestly wasn’t drawn to any of it with my son though. But I was keen to baptise him in the beginning and it was his dad to talk me out of it and I settled on that and haven’t had any regrets.

It’s definitely not bad to have knowledge either way and the choice isn’t always shallow selfishness on the parent’s parts.

Indoctrinate is a fairly harsh word to use isn’t it Jim Jones? How is parents choosing to christen their children or introduce them to any system of faith different from those very same parents making any number of decisions on how to raise their children?

Now any thoughts on where a good place to have a christening party is?

Whatsup said :

The key word here is reasonable. I think it is unreasonable to suggest that the Christening of children should be stopped as mentioned in comment #2. I also think it would be unreasonable to force people to embrace belief systems if they choose not to, it works both ways.

And fair enough too. I tend to agree.

But comment #2 was directed at the notion that christening is a form of forcing people to embrace belief systems without any choice. A child being christened or dragged to church or whatever isn’t at the stage where s/he can make choices about what to believe. It’s a murky grey area that justbands obviously feels strongly about. I have strong feelings about it too, but I realise that, for the moment at least, people of all faiths are going to continue to indoctrinate their children in their own religious beliefs (let’s face it, it’s about the only way that religions can guarantee their continued existence) and there’s not much I can do about it without being as big a d1ck as those fundy religious types.

Jim Jones said :

Whatsup said :

I don’t think Christening a child is in the same league as locking a child in a cellar and telling them lies about the outside world, but that is my opinion.

I don’t think so either – my point was that the “they’re my children so I can tell them anything I want, even if other people disagree” argument used above is bunkum. There are limits to how you can raise your children, and debating what those limits are is entirely reasonable.

The key word here is reasonable. I think it is unreasonable to suggest that the Christening of children should be stopped as mentioned in comment #2. I also think it would be unreasonable to force people to embrace belief systems if they choose not to, it works both ways.

As long as it is legal and consensual then it should be your choice if you want to be a scientist who speaks to invisible people whilst having sex.

Whatsup said :

I don’t think Christening a child is in the same league as locking a child in a cellar and telling them lies about the outside world, but that is my opinion.

I don’t think so either – my point was that the “they’re my children so I can tell them anything I want, even if other people disagree” argument used above is bunkum. There are limits to how you can raise your children, and debating what those limits are is entirely reasonable. Are you happy for scientologists to brainwash their children to be scientologists? What about if children had parents who were part of a Charles Mansonesque cult, is that okay?

I’ve no great problems with christening. I think it’s silly, but if you want a holy man to sprinkle water over a kids head to keep away the evil spirits, knock yourself out. Far greater damage is done by other aspects of organised religion: telling children that ‘sex is bad’ for example, or telling them that some invisible man created the world 6,000 years ago and that all the scientists are evil.

Woody Mann-Caruso8:57 am 30 Sep 09

if you don’t believe in all that god stuff, that is your right. just have some respect for those who do.

Why? I don’t have to respect other kinds of outlandish fantasies. What’s so special about yours?

Of course, the anti-christening lobby here will explain how they raised their own children without passing on any of their own beliefs (or lack thereof).

Don’t need to. Our ‘beliefs’ are facts about the real world as opposed to, say, beliefs that gay people and rape victims should be beaten to death with rocks, or that a genie, his son and some ghost are watching our every move like Santa Claus and will damn us to burn in eternal flame if we think our neighbour doesn’t look half bad in those short shorts.

Thanks for all the great suggestions 🙂

If the weather is nasty then one of the indoor play centres like Kid City, or Kids Rampage is good. Can be a little pricy, but the kids will really tire themselves out while you just kick back.

Clown Killer said :

I’m a fan of Fadden Pines. Needs to be good weather though, but otherwise it’s pretty much got what the little folk are after.

if the weather is forecast to be nasty, perhaps have a look at mpowerdome, the little kids can play soccer on one of the courts, it is undercover, and the prices are reasonable.

whoever is judging another person about religion, my children are all christened. they don’t go to church, I am not going to force them to do something they know nothing about, and if anyone goes, it will be me, the registry office christian. (births, deaths and marriages)

if you don’t believe in all that god stuff, that is your right. just have some respect for those who do. we aren’t all missionaries. 😉

I’m Northside so prob not much help..but I have found it much easier to have these things where you have a fenced in play area..NOT near water or roads (or mums spend the whole day chasing littlies)..with your own (clean!)toilet & kitchen facilities.I’m sure there is a local playgroup hall that would be perfect & they’re usually quite cheap for the convenience! We had someone come play games & face paint for the toddlers up when we christened our last..& yes, we did force our religious views on our children..same as we force our choice of language..school..clothing choices & so on & so on… :)))))

Clown Killer6:37 pm 29 Sep 09

I’m a fan of Fadden Pines. Needs to be good weather though, but otherwise it’s pretty much got what the little folk are after.

Jim Jones said :

Whatsup said :

justbands said :

The sooner we put a stop to the forced indoctrination of children into the particular religious slant of their parents the better I say.

Who gave parents the right to introduce any ideas to their own children that you do not agree with ? It’s illegal in some countries you know.

By that logic, it’s completely acceptable for parents to keep their children locked in a cellar and told lies about the outside world. It’s their children, why should anybody be allowed to criticise them?

I don’t think Christening a child is in the same league as locking a child in a cellar and telling them lies about the outside world, but that is my opinion.

In some countries religion is illegal in any form other than a particular one chosen by the ruling government. I would not want to see Australia were to pass laws that prevent parents from passing on their beliefs if they are not of a certain approved “slant”. The Government tried to make the aboriginals “more white” by banning them from observing their traditions, customs and culture at all. Are Muslims, Christians and Buddists etc going to be made to be more “Australian” ? Who defines what an Australian should be ?

Fadden is great for kids of a variety of ages, plus has ample parking, toilet block and a fair run to get to the road. At the whims of the weather though…

The hide of some people, daring to ask for advice for a christening party, of all things. How subversive, how bigoted. Daring to pass on their own views to their children. Imagine that.

Of course, the anti-christening lobby here will explain how they raised their own children without passing on any of their own beliefs (or lack thereof).

I am so happy we live in such a tolerant society.

Whatsup said :

justbands said :

The sooner we put a stop to the forced indoctrination of children into the particular religious slant of their parents the better I say.

Who gave parents the right to introduce any ideas to their own children that you do not agree with ? It’s illegal in some countries you know.

By that logic, it’s completely acceptable for parents to keep their children locked in a cellar and told lies about the outside world. It’s their children, why should anybody be allowed to criticise them?

justbands said :

The sooner we put a stop to the forced indoctrination of children into the particular religious slant of their parents the better I say.

Who gave parents the right to introduce any ideas to their own children that you do not agree with ? It’s illegal in some countries you know.

Weston Park in Yarralumla has a covered area with BBQs near the kiosk and mini railway. Great for kids parties.
You could also hire Thiess Cottage through Kambah Playgroup Association. Full kitchen, plenty of room for indoor and outdoor play, easy location to get to.

Thanks, the Cotter is a lovely idea 🙂

The sooner we put a stop to the forced indoctrination of children into the particular religious slant of their parents the better I say. Having said that….the Cotter is lovely, good facilities….playground, open grass, bbq’s…& some decent cover should the weather be nasty.

any park with a covered area would be fine. just ask your friends with kids to bring one toy or gameset that can be shared/played with by all kids who are there. if the weather does turn bad make sure to have some simple activities like a colouring competition to keep them busy

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.