Forgive Me if I Smack You in the Mouth!

[KichigaiNeko]

Blowing up at a kid is only going to make it harder for them to approach you in the future. I highly recommend Kickiga's suggestion

Besides... it really doesn't matter if 'your kid' ends up religious... they are still your child. Hating them over something so small as that is kinda lame

I'm not REMOTELY upset with my son. He's totally innocent. Why would I blow up at him????
ohhh, I may not have been clear ...... I want to smack my IN-LAWS in the mouth - for ignoring (or conveniently forgetting) my request not to indoctrinate my son with lies and fear and pain and suffering - you know, christianity.

Nor should you be upset with your child. But he is NOT innocent. A 2 year olds ability to mind fuck an adult is enormous!!! It may just be that he is using that statement to get a reaction out of you...so MAKE it a game.

One after thought ....(and I am assuming that you have not been through the terrible twos...forgive me if you have) THIS is the time when "Daddy" becomes THE most singular 'HERO' in his son's life. THIS is where YOU play along with him...a few ways you can go...

Plead for sympathy..."Awww I thought I was your hero and here to save you cos I love you"

Manipulate the thinking of the offending grandparents.."It's OK sweetie...Grandma and Grandpa are very old and they have many imaginary friends...not like YOU ... I love you so much ...you are so grown up!"

And finally..."Put on a cape and chase him around the house saying ..."I am (current favourite Monster) and I am here to save you cos I love you!!"

Apart from all that he will at least be growing and understanding the world he finds himself in...never underestimate a child's ability to manipulate you.

By the way if my son ends up religious .... than I will shoot myself .... for being a bad role-model and a piss poor excuse of a father! I cannot allow that to happen. Maybe Min and Kickiga are both right.

No need to shoot yourself...you are a good and caring parent. You just need to play more. The difference is YOU KNOW what you are doing the child is yet to assimilate this wisdom. One final suggestion...is to have such a busy schedule that the child has no time to be with the offending grandparents.... save on litigation

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In an indirect way you hit the nail on the head padraic.

This is true

All the people that I truly feel to be incompetent parents are the same people that are finding fault with the way I raise my child. They ignore my rights as a parent and chastise me for not teaching my child about "the one true god". I'm struggling with how to deal with it all right now since I know this may have the potential to get worse as he gets older. My son has friends ... those friends have parents ... some of those parents are going to be imbeciles .... some are now.

You have no rights...you HAVE a responsibility that you are feeling very keenly right now. Don't stress it. Children are fickle...and great manipulators. Don't let him see that it bothers you at all...laugh off the detractors this will help.

Handling my beliefs for myself is easy, but now my son is involved and I'm just trying to have my rights and keep the peace - for the betterment of everyone. Should I have to deal with all THEIR issues just because I don't choose to believe their silly religion? I shouldn't even have to HEAR it!
What's funny, is if I did the same thing to them, I would be considered some kind of satanist, waiting in the dark to corrupt their children.

No you do NOT have to deal with their issues and this you need to teach your son how to do.... NOW is the best time along with the hero worship of instilling this notion in his head.

In the Dark...like "The Boogeyman" *gasp.... and no you shouldn't have to hear it, but hear it you will...time to show some backbone and face these people down with wit, laughter and the sure knowledge that your way of thinking (while it may not be right) will win out in the end.

Chin up Daddy...you are doing well.