Kids Behavior in Church/Bible Study

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Kids Behavior in Church/Bible Study

_{Started by Drea , author of peanutbutterjellydays} _{1/3/2010 2:33:19 PM}

We attend a bible study that is in home, meaning it's with a smaller crowd and more intimate. My son, who is 2, is terrible during this hour and we are constantly taking him out to keep the meeting quiet. We have done everything to try to discipline, except spank, and nothing is working. We try to entertain him with books, coloring, snacks but he just has a hard time sitting for 1 hour. He can last a 12 hour car ride with all of the same supplies, but that 1 measly hour is torture.

What have you done to discipline/entertain in a time that is supposed to be quiet and still? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I'm at my wits ends with this.

Thanks,

drea

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Reply by Amy

_{author of The Adventures of JAMC} _{1/4/2010 12:19:24 AM}

Oh, I wish I could help you, but church is the biggest problem time for my boys. I just don't know what to do...I hope someone has some suggestions to offer!

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Reply by Drea

_{author of peanutbutterjellydays} _{1/4/2010 10:31:51 PM}

Thanks Christine, for the ideas. They are to be with us, in the room, without electronics. Sigh, I would totally plop him down for that hour if I could. I tried the special toys, he doesn't give a rats hiney.

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Reply by Tania

_{author of Larger Family Life - A Large Family Blog} _{1/5/2010 12:52:41 AM}

We don't allow our children to take anything into church with us (we're mean like that!). No toys, no books and definitely no food.

We find the worst phase is between the ages of 1 and 3 years. This is when they become more fidgety and loud! Others in the congregation normally don't mind though as they realise they're only children. We don't remove them as then they get used to being taken out if they make a noise. Kids can be very manipulative sometimes! So we ride it out. By the time they hit three they realise that it's time to sit and listen and it doesn't matter what they do we won't take them out of it.

Tania

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Reply by Drea

_{author of peanutbutterjellydays} _{1/6/2010 12:19:48 AM}

Thanks Tania,

I'm starting to think bringing nothing in is a great idea, it seems the ones we do bring in, he has no interest (only in the meeting, he loves them any other time) it just gives him something to complain about, drop, make a ruckus over. Maybe we will try this tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

The problem is, it is such a small group that any whining, crying, fussing, is heard and, in most cases, louder than the speaker. This is why we feel we have to remove him from the room. We don't make it fun for him out of the room either, he's usually begging to go back.

It's just a tough time, we often wonder what's the point of going. We just think of it as training for the kids, if anything. Sigh, it's just not too fun right now.

Drea

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Reply by Tania

_{author of Larger Family Life - A Large Family Blog} _{1/6/2010 6:33:22 AM}

I do know what you mean but if you stand firm it will work I promise. Ours is only a small village church so never more than 60 people there. You'll get there.

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Reply by Drea

_{author of peanutbutterjellydays} _{1/6/2010 11:49:04 AM}

Thanks Tania,

I'm going to try taking nothing in tonight, and stay in the whole time... I'll report back later.

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Reply by Heidi

_{author of Work And Play, Day By Day} _{1/6/2010 8:04:25 PM}

My mom gave my boys finger labryinths and taught them to trace their fingers through the maze and told them that was the kind of focus they needed to be prayerful. It takes so much concentration they really do stay quieter.

That being said I am also a minimalist about what I bring into church. In fact I blogged about my expectations and I got a lot of comments that I needed to relax and not worry about it so much or I need to feed/entertain them.

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Reply by Tania

_{author of Larger Family Life - A Large Family Blog} _{1/7/2010 12:09:25 AM}

How did you get on Drea? If they're used to taking things in it may take going a few times with nothing before they get used to it, so don't worry if it doesn't go to plan the first time.

Hope it went well.

Tania

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Reply by Beka

_{author of Confessions of a new mom.} _{1/7/2010 11:03:16 AM}

I am a PK. So... I have SEEN and BEEN in many services where I have had to be quiet and sit still. I am not a boy, which I hear are more energetic, but my mom would let me draw/color and lay on the floor in front of her feet..(under her pew). If I was too loud she would give me a look...if I didn't listen I would get spanked when I got home. Easy as that. They RARELY had to spank me, but I always knew that after that look the next step was the paddle.

May I ask why you haven't spanked? I am a new mom and love to hear other peoples opinions on the matter. :)

What about a sticker chart at home and if he is good he gets to have a reward for so many stickers right in a row?

Example: Have a chart at home on the fridge... if he is good he gets to pick a sticker from his AWESOME sticker book you bought at walmart. ;) (or anywhere!) and if he gets 10 stickers in a row... he gets a reward, but if he slips up... he has to take a sticker off... (usually they rip and I know that with some kids that really effects them to see something they love get broken...)

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Reply by Drea

_{author of peanutbutterjellydays} _{1/7/2010 11:08:00 AM}

Here is my Update.

We took in 1 book, because I was a little scared to do without. He again just used it as a throwing object, didn't open it once. So we will do totally without on Sunday. We kept him in the whole meeting, even when he burst out with anger a couple of times, we just ignored him, he got the point that we weren't listening.

I was very satisfied, got more out of the bible study than I have in a long time. I wasn't worried about the noises he made, just concentrated on the meeting. He kept himself busy by watching other people.

I must say, if this keeps up I think we found our solution. Thanks for the advice Tania, I'll let you know how it goes Sunday.

Drea

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