AITA for telling my husband I’ll leave if he lets his mom baptize our twins in her above-ground pool with store-brand holy water?
Oh boy, do we have a doozy for you today! The AITA subreddit is a treasure trove of interpersonal drama, but every now and then, a story pops up that makes you double-take, spit out your coffee, and then immediately read it again just to make sure you understood it correctly. This one, folks, is precisely that kind of tale. It involves family, faith, boundaries, and a surprisingly specific body of water.
Our Original Poster (OP) finds herself in a truly unique predicament that blends deeply personal beliefs with the practicalities of modern family life. It's not just about whether an action is right or wrong, but about the very essence of what constitutes a sacred rite, and how far one parent should go to appease another family member's unconventional requests. Get ready, because this is going to be a splash!
"AITA for telling my husband I’ll leave if he lets his mom baptize our twins in her above-ground pool with store-brand holy water?"
This situation presents a fascinating clash of expectations, boundaries, and religious sensibilities. On one hand, the Original Poster's reaction, while certainly strong, stems from a place of protecting her children and maintaining a semblance of decorum around a significant life event. The idea of an "above-ground pool baptism" with "store-brand holy water" is undeniably unorthodox and, for many, would cross a line into outright absurdity, regardless of one's personal faith.
However, the husband's perspective, though misguided, likely comes from a desire to appease his mother and avoid conflict. He might genuinely view it as a harmless way to make her happy, failing to grasp the deeper implications of disrespect or the potential for ridicule. His inability to see the OP's point and his dismissal of her feelings are significant red flags regarding communication and partnership in their marriage.
The core issue isn't necessarily about the baptism itself, but the lack of shared understanding and respect for boundaries. Even if the couple isn't deeply religious, they had an agreed-upon path for a traditional baptism. The mother-in-law's unilateral and unusual proposal, coupled with the husband's willingness to entertain it without consulting or respecting his wife's views, highlights a marital communication breakdown.
Ultimately, the OP's ultimatum, while severe, reflects the perceived gravity of the situation for her. She feels her children's dignity and their family's boundaries are being violated. Whether it's an "overreaction" or a necessary stand depends on one's tolerance for such eccentricities and the importance placed on traditional rites versus familial harmony. It's a tough spot where everyone feels misunderstood.
The internet weighs in: Is 'store-brand holy water' a holy mess or a hilarious faux pas?
The comment section, as expected, was a whirlwind of opinions, largely siding with the Original Poster. Many users found the idea of a pool baptism with supermarket water utterly hilarious and simultaneously appalling, questioning the mother-in-law's judgment and the husband's willingness to go along with it. The overwhelming sentiment was that this wasn't just about religion, but about basic respect for the children and the parents' joint decision-making.
Several commenters pointed out that even in highly religious families, such an unconventional approach would likely be seen as irreverent or even sacrilegious by the church itself. The discussion quickly moved beyond the religious aspect to the husband's alarming lack of support for his wife and his priority of keeping his mother happy over his partner's very valid concerns. This story truly hit a nerve regarding boundaries with in-laws.
What a wild ride this story has been! While the specifics of a pool baptism and supermarket holy water are unique, the underlying themes of marital communication, setting boundaries with in-laws, and respecting a partner's wishes are universal. This serves as a stark reminder that even the most absurd situations can highlight serious cracks in a relationship's foundation. Here's hoping the OP and her husband can find some common ground, perhaps with a counselor, before any twins end up in a backyard pool with dubious blessings.
