Christenings and Celebrations: Naming Days For Your Child

The naming days have arrived. Are you ready for the celebration of your child’s new name and place within your religious beliefs? Regardless of your religious beliefs, most cultures do have some form of naming. It may be because the birth of a new child is often thought of the carrying on of the beliefs system. As a new parent, it becomes your right, often your obligation, to carry those traditions out. Most parents find that tradition is the way to go. Others are looking to set the foundation for their own beliefs and traditions.

Working With Tradition

Many new parents have to make considerably decisions about the traditions of naming days within their culture or religious practices. For example, in the Jewish tradition, giving your child a Hebrew name is considered appropriate. If you do not wish to do this, how will you get around it without offending your entire family?

A good place to be is within the circle of family when discussing your needs and wants and tradition. Talk with those who are close to you. This may include your parents, aunts and uncles, sometimes grandparents, too. Talk about traditions with naming. Your family may have a unique naming tradition itself. In most families, it is quite acceptable to work together to name a child, but this is not something you have to do.

Let your family know your intentions and wishes. If you know it will offend some, explain yourself. Talk to them about your desires to continue the practices and those you would like to let go. Let them know what changes you are planning to make. This way, no one is blindsided or offended later.

In other families, following traditions is up to you solely. Yet, when the religious lines are drawn and deep, talking with your family about your ideas and plans beforehand is the best way to overcome any problems later. Rifts can be deeply set, but when a conversation happens early on, there is no surprise later and no stress for the new mom and dad.

When Two Traditions Come Together

Religious and cultural differences can come in the way of celebrating the birth of a new child. Your family may believe in one tradition while your baby’s other parent may practice something completely different. When families of two different cultures come together, one thing is the same on both sides. Both sides feel their traditions, cultures and spirituality are the most important and the most likely to follow.

Finding a middle ground can be difficult. Nevertheless, finding that place between the two cultures is important. It allows more people to celebrate in the birth of your child and the religious celebrations you are planning.

One unique way to keep everyone involved is to celebrate both sides. For example, it is common for Jewish and Christian families to come together to celebrate the christening of a new child. This happens in a different way for each. For example, the Baptism of a child does not stop the parents from giving the child a Hebrew name, as is what is common in the Jewish tradition.

Ultimately, finding that middle ground will be difficult, but the process is often rewarding. Bringing families together to talk about it may be the best way to come to an agreement.

Planning Celebrations

The bottom line of any compromise you make is that you, the parents of the child, should be happy with the results. If you will no longer be practicing your Protestant ways and instead will be following the Lutheran ways of your baby’s other parent, then make sure to clue your family in too.

Planning celebrations for naming days or for any other religious reason during the first few months of your child’s life will be complex. This will be the most difficult time. In the end, you just want your family and friends to come together to celebrate the birth of your child. That can happen without a lot of turmoil. Clue your family in and let them be part of these special days. In the end, what they want is for your child to have protection and to be part of their life, too.