Posted by:
summer
(
)
Date: February 24, 2018 08:48AM
I think you are just going to have to have a blunt talk with him, sooner rather than later. "Dear, if you want to spend your Sundays in church, that is your decision. However I feel strongly that I do not want our children raised in the Mormon church for [reasons.]" Be prepared to hear him out. Your husband might respond that he wants his kids raised within a moral framework, so have a response ready for that. You will also need to discuss tithing, since it will drain your family of resources. I would negotiate for no more than a 5% tithe for a part member family.
Possible reasons for not wanting your children to attend might include body shaming of young women and restriction of their roles, invasive bishop interviews of youth, lack of true forgiveness for sins, teaching that polygamy was ever okay, and disrespect of part-member families.
Honestly, I think your biggest problem will be the church members and leadership -- if your husband returns, you can expect that the bishop, bishopric, RSP, PP, primary teacher, VT, HT, and a string of missionaries will shortly be knocking on your door. They will all be eager to reactivate you and to get the kids dunked. Personally, I would try to negotiate with your husband, "no church visitors in our home." Since the church is across the street, he can visit with whomever he likes there.
Make Sunday fun day for you and the kids. Figure zoo trips, museum trips, movie matinees, pool trips, miniature golf, or what have you. If your husband misses the fun then so be it. Let the kids tell him how much they missed his presence.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2018 08:51AM by summer.