Keep My Little Ones Quiet in Church!

Two words for you --- BOOKS and SNACKS! They'll get what church is all about when they get a little older but in the meantime bravo to you for making a valiant effort! :)

1 mom found this helpful

Hi R.,

I think it's a bit much to expect a 3 and 4 year old to be quiet for an hour in a situation that is basically meaningless
to them.

Can you remember being four years old and expected to do that??

At our church kids that age are engaged otherwise, either in the toddlers room, the preschool room, or the Sunday School for kids up to 6th grade.

That way parents are getting antsy, kids aren't getting antsy, and everyone is happy.

R.

1 mom found this helpful

Try a portable CD player and purchase some kids music cd's. There are some at the bible book stores that are all the bible songs. They could wear the headphones and listen to during church or putting kids music on a ipod. It might be fun for them especially if you make it special and they only get to hear the music during church.

1 mom found this helpful

My mom likes to sew. One Sunday the kids were acting up. In desparation she started hunting through her purse for something they could play with. She had a retractable, soft, measuring tape. They measured every book they had already read, the kneeler, her purse, their arms, all of their toys. It was quiet and kept them quiet. The didn't even realize church was over because they were so busy!

1 mom found this helpful

OK, I do not even feel like I should respond because my son has not been an angel in church- but this Sunday we had success so I will share with you what worked for us. I have struggled very much with this too! On our way to church we talked about playing quiet. I packed him a bag with a coloring book and three crayons, three cars, he wanted a stuffed animal, and a bag of goldfish crackers. I gave him some money to put in the collection plate. He carried the bag and it was his responsibility to clean everything up. We also avoid the childrens room if possible because he does better away from all of the kids. I think between the food in his mouth and the variety of activity- it kept him occupied. I've always been successful when I hold him and talk to him about what is happening- the problem is he loses interest and I can't hold him for too long.

1 mom found this helpful

Try puzzles and lace-up/sewing cards- both require quiet consentration, but be sure to keep then "novel" by only allowing them during church! And of course little snacks handed out one small piece at at a time are great!

1 mom found this helpful

Have you tried snacks? That typically works for us. Something not messy or noisy--raisins, fruit snacks, goldfish??

1 mom found this helpful

Don't get discouraged--what you're doing is so worth it! While you may think your kids are being super-loud and annoying, remember that most people won't even notice your kids--including the pastor. Doesn't mean that they won't drive you crazy, but... :) What you're doing is fantastic because while we think they're not getting anything out of a service that's geared mainly for those over the age of 10, it's amazing what they pick up. Anyway, I'm not sure how things work where you are, but naturally it's all a guessing game as to what's going to keep them content from week to week. I've done the snacks... special books.... coloring books... magnetic drawing board... whatever it is, it's only for church. We also have kid's bulletins each Sunday, so my daughter has that. I've also gotten a "big people" bulletin for her and shown her the music in there or in the hymnal and sometimes she's curious and excited to be like the adults, singing and following along. Other times, nothing works. We also have kid's offering envelopes and so every Sat. night we get our "money for Jesus" and then she's responsible for that on Sunday. I guess there's no magic answer, but don't give up. Our church doesn't have Sun. school for the kids during the service (during the adult Bible class hour between services instead), but I'm glad because my daughters are learning how to act in public and how to sit still quietly--I'm not afraid to take them anywhere! :) That, and they're getting the most important thing they need in life, and THAT's worth all the struggles and missed sermons for me as I try to keep them occupied. God's blessings!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi R.,

I am a single mom also. Our church has seperate services for kids held at the same time the adult service is going on. They hear the same basic message tuned to their age group. They also do a project relating to the message, pray, sing and have a lot of fun while learning about God and Jesus. Our church is Community Christian Church. It is a bible based non-denominational church. We found it through a friend while still going to a more traditional church. After going once, my little ones, at the time 2,5,7 said "Please don't ever take us back to that other boring church". After 11 years, I'm happy to say I haven't and we are all involved in various groups and serving ministries. When I was very ill and not able to drive to church, my kids, on their own, found rides to church because they did not want to miss service. That says a lot!

Take Care, J.

1 mom found this helpful

I was going to suggest snacks too, although I'd wait on those until the books, etc. stop being interesting. I might add a doll or stuffed animal that they could play with quietly. Good luck, I know it's tough to get anything out of service while you're trying to keep little ones occupied.

1 mom found this helpful

I have a bag of books that we only bring to church so it's not like she plays/reads them all the time so it keeps her occupied. I have a colorforms book, a My Little Pony magnetic book and several lift a flap books that keep her occupied. We also have one of those little drawing boards (I forget what they're called) that she can only play with in church. And, of course, snacks! ;-)

1 mom found this helpful

It is interesting that you would post this after my day yesterday. :)

I don't have an answer for you unfortunately but here is what I experienced.

Our church offers "sunday school" for the kids DURING the service. Therefore, my kids NEVER sit in church. My daughter has come to the beginning of the service for worship but then goes back into her class.

Yesterday was family day and ALL the kids were in the service. It was quite the loud service. It seems as though NONE of the kids know how to act/behave in church.

While I understand the scheduling with them going when we go, I think they need to learn how to sit quietly, listen and pray. It was very difficult for them yesterday.

And it takes away from the whole experience for me. I don't remember half of the sermon from yesterday. :(

I am going to read some of the responses - thanks for posting such a great question! I appreciate it.

1 mom found this helpful

Here are a couple suggestions: a product called Wiki-Stix (I'm not certain of spelling), which are wax-coated strings that can be bent and twisted to make figures or pictures on a piece of cardboard, completely reusable. Also colored beeswax that can be manipulated with hands to form almost anything. I believe these are both available from HearthSong.com. This is a great resource for quality children's creative products. When my children were young, I packed a small tote for each child with a variety of quiet things for church services that didn't have Sunday School and similar activities. If your church offers children's classes, I'd certainly take advantage of them as you'll all get more out of Sunday mornings.

J.

1 mom found this helpful