Those of you that attend church and have children what do you do to keep them quiet during the service?
A few Sundays into attending a very, very small church (we doubled the attendance and I'm not even joking) after failed attempts at shushing a loud/inquisitive child and then having him, in turn, hush the pastor we gave up. No amount of picture Bibles, prayer books, snacks or pen and paper occupied him for more than five minutes before I or T had to wait outside with him. (There was no other option!) We also had a newborn to deal with and the handful of regular members of the church routinely had to adjust their hearing aids or tell the pastor to speak up at the beginning of each sermon. This made for an awkward morning for our much younger family, although everyone was kind and always said how much they liked seeing us.
So, this coming Sunday we are thinking of trying out a new church and I'm more than a little worried that (ohmygosh) we will have to endure a lot more attention than the always pleasant "Hi, we're new! I will never remember your name, but you seem nice! Can we sit in the very back?" meet and greet. I am already dreading introductions and the inevitable "shake your neighbors hand" thing. (Please don't let them do this.) I guess I'm little nervous.
Your suggestions on what to pack as quiet activities/attention grabbers will be so very much appreciated, as well as any advice on how to prepare them for the quiet time that they will likely have to endure.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
P.S. Ages are 5, 3.5 and 2.
This will be of little to no help at all... but we experienced the same thing and found that taking Annabelle made it impossible for us or the other members of the congregation to actually get anything out of mass... so now we either drive the extra 30 min to a church that has a cry room (which we almost never do)so we arent heard or judged or we only to go the services that we can find a sitter for (aka- my in laws or cousins that live near us) GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I haven't yet had to encounter three kids at Church...but I tell you, the thing that works the best for us is to...get this...sit right up front. THEN, we point things out (in a really excited whisper) all.the.time. "What's the priest doing now?" "How many candles are up there? Can you count them?" "What are those people doing over there?" (singing), "Can you hold the Bible for Mommy?"
ReplyDeleteThe opportunities go on and on and on...and oddly enough, because they can see what's going on and because they have come to expect they are old enough to start doing what we do...it's been getting better. Not necessarily always easier, but I notice a difference from sitting in the back and only telling them to be quiet. They have no idea why they need to be quiet! Now...I have to point out that my kids aren't perfect, and we take them to the back of church for them to settle down many.many.times. BUT, overall, I've seen an improvement.
Ugh. Church is hard work with the littles. My prayers are with you! Good luck ;)
Keep them bound and gagged. Double-up on Ry.
ReplyDeleteShauna, I am shocked and appalled! Just kidding, as always, you've made me laugh. I might grab some duct tape just in case though :)
DeleteNot sure what church you are planning on trying out,but ones we have always been to generally have a children's church. Part way through the service the older kids go do their own thing, with a teacher or two, and the younger kids usually have their own class they stay in through the service. Kinda like a continuation of sunday school class. I guess not all churches may do this, but hopefully the new one does.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been to several churches that have a children's program during the service, but I don't know if this church will, which is why I want to be prepared! Rose has been especially pleasant during our outings lately :)
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