"Just 12 years until you can go on a mission!"

[Linked]

My son turned 6 recently, and we were at my in-laws house. MIL took the opportunity to try to get my son excited about going on a mission, in 12 years. She spent 5 minutes talking about how great it would be, and how he should be looking forward to it, and how I went.

She doesn't know my feelings toward the church, so I assume she thought she was reinforcing what my son is taught at home. But man, that was a painful 5 minutes. It was difficult not to let the pain show, but that was not the right time to come out about my disbelief. The tactic pisses me off. Brainwashing a kid to get excited about the idea of a mission so that hopefully there's enough inertia to get them to choose to go (and stay) when it's time to decide? And she has never been on a mission, and has no idea what she is telling him to be excited about.

This church puts us in such painful positions. It is lame.

[Enoch Witty]

I vicariously experienced your suffering while reading this story. Internet empathy ray: deploy.

[Silver Girl]

I vicariously experienced your suffering while reading this story. Internet empathy ray: deploy.

I got vicariously angry while reading it. Internet Pi$$ed Mom Bomb deployed.

[Linked]

I vicariously experienced your suffering while reading this story. Internet empathy ray: deploy.

I got vicariously angry while reading it. Internet Pi$$ed Mom Bomb deployed.

Thanks both of you, internet feels received!

[MerrieMiss]

I had a similar experience at the baptism I referred to on the other post. I overheard my mother-in-law telling my five-year old, "How many years until you get baptized? That's right, five plus three and you'll be eight! That will be so fun! And then you'll be baptized just like your cousin, and your dad, and your mom..." It made me shudder in disgust, so I'm with you on this one. It's sad to think that in two years I'll be facing this reality. Baptism is nothing compared to a mission, but it is the first step.

[Corsair]

This church puts us in such painful positions. It is lame.

Turn the tables on her. Have 6 year old son reply "Grandma, you will probably go on a mission before I do!"

[Linked]

Turn the tables on her. Have 6 year old son reply "Grandma, you will probably go on a mission before I do!"

Haha! That would be hilarious! My MIL would sooner die than go on a mission. She's prone to social anxiety, and hates putting people out, so missionary work would be the last thing she would do. That's one of the things that bothers me; that she would encourage my little boy to do it when she never would.