"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
- Colossians 3:12-14
Matt works most Sundays now. We don't like it, but there isn't much we can do about it at this point. That means that I am trying to manage four little ones 3 and under in church without him. Can I just say that is super hard? But we do really feel strongly that we want them to stay with us in church and to learn to sit and listen. Abigail is getting really good at that, but the twins still have a ways to go. Usually one has to be right next to me or in my arms, or major, all out screaming will occur. :-( That is extra hard since I have a baby too, and I'm usually out of the service with him some because he needs to nurse or is just being loud.
So we practiced "church" at home today. Everyone sat in a chair all in a row and we sang and prayed, and then listened to a sermon by our pastor. I'm really hoping that this training will carry over to real church. :-) Only one out of four had to be taken out several times for discipline. That's a good start, right?
Anyone else in the same boat, or a similar one? I'd LOVE to hear what works for you. I just keep reminding myself that it will get easier someday!
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
- Galations 6:9
I'm working on getting my menu together for next week. The weeks just fly by, don't they? Pressing on with the 200 Challenge, even though this hasn't been my best month. More on that later.
Micah is growing so fast! He is 6 1/2 months old and in the past few weeks he has started getting on his knees & rocking back and forth, scooting, sitting really well, talking a lot, saying mama and dada, got his first tooth, clapping his hands, and maybe more that I can't think of right now...I just know it's a lot! He continues to be the happiest baby EVER and he is such a sweet blessing from God! :-)
Look for evidences of grace in others, instead of looking at what needs to be changed.
- C.J. Mahaney (I couldn't find the exact quote)
4 comments:
It is hard to control the kids during church when you're doing by yourself. My husband used to miss church most Sundays because of work (thankfully he just started a new job that gives him weekends off). One thing I learned to do, especially when my kids were a few years younger, was to go over the rules before we left the vehicle. After I said the rules, I'd make them repeat them to me and we wouldn't get out until they did. It helped a ton with how they'd act in church, the grocery store, other peoples' houses, etc. I still do it some now (ages 4, 6, & 8) and should probably do it more often. :)
I don't have any "advice" per say simply because I am not in your shoes. I will say that the comment above is exactly what I do with Lula Mae and it works BEAUTIFULLY! Her attitude is very much improved if we have "pep talks". If I were going to have the kids in the service with me I would do the practice church just like you mentioned. I would probably do it every Friday. Perhaps keep a basket of "special" toys or treats and allow each child to pick one if they sit successfully through practice church. A sticker chart would be great too. Then if they fill up a row with stickers they get a special lunch or something. Basically, I am just encouraging positive reinforcement. It really is the best way to mold their behavior into what you want it to be. They are still young, so just take a deep breath, and enjoy these toddler years while they are still here :-)
Oh Sarah! That is *exactly* what we are doing right now! We are in the beginning of week three of having church at home *every* day. We decided to do this because every time we would take the twins (they are now 24 mo) to nursery they would *always always always* get sick and then we spent the next month passing it around and we never got to go to church together! (Our church doesn't particularly want kids under 5 in the service either which makes it kinda hard.) But, practicing definitely makes a difference. The only thing I have to add is that we seek to end the practicing with success (rather than disciple and failure) both home and church. This means we often leave the services early (so far) to end in a positive experience. Since we practice at home, I usually know where that point is from experience. And would you believe that when you ask them, they *want* to go to the service??? So far we have the quiet part conquered, just need to improve the sitting still!
Tara
Thanks you all for the encouragement, and for sharing what has worked for you! We do go over the rules (with lots of positive enthusiasm) before we go into church.
Tara, it is good to hear that the practicing is paying off! Stick with it! :-) My children LOVE to go to church too! Sunday is their favorite day and they always can't wait to go to church.
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