Seeking Suggestion for Child to Sit Still During Services

That's a tough one. We still struggle with our 5 1/2 year old sometimes. Our other son is 19 months and will no way sit through the entire service. They're just not physically or mentally able to at that age.

Suggest a daycare at the church. I used to go to one that had a childcare in the "crow nest" (a little room in the back balcony area). The daycare could turn control the volume of the sermon for their room, and the children had a place to play while still hearing the message from the speaker. It also provided cribs for the younger children for naps. It makes it easier for parents & other adults to enjoy the sermon while their children play quietly and still hear the sermon. The daycare was run by volunteers of the church.

Hi,
I'm sorry to say, its going to be almost impossible to have your toddler sit in church with you. trust me, i have a 21 month old son LOL. I agree with Lacy about if you have a children's program or a nursery. You will learn more during that time if you're not constantly messing with him and making him be quiet. He will learn more if he is being taught a lesson for children his age also. If there are no other options, then bring quiet things for him to do while the speaker is speaking such as coloring books or books to look at. As far as running up and down the aisles, I agree. I have to stop my son every service and let him know that its a no-no and he has to sit down for a few minutes each time. He eventually got better, but at that age, you can only do so much:-)) Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you consistantly do it so that he'll know you mean business.
Good luck with everything!
M.

I pack my purse with a little note book, stickers, a pen and crayons, little figures like baloo the bear. Once apon a child has a .25 little toy bin. My daughter loves silly puddy, it doesn't make a mess. I keep the toys hidden, and rotate them so they are till novel. If your there w/ someone get them to help, I call it tag teaming. Also you could whisper what the speaker is saying to the child. After that I offer healthy snacks.
Good luck, A. H

I think you are expecting too much. He is just a toddler as you said. He only has the ability to sit still for 10-15 minutes before he gets bored. Totally normal. Do they have a nursery he can go to during the service? I have 2 kids 2 and 3 and they still have trouble sitting still in church. I think it will take a year or 2 more to get the hang of it. I have tried coloring books, quiet toys, but their attention still doesn't last an entire service.

Take books, crayons anything like that and also snacks. Those usually work. Just remember 13 months is really young to understand how to sit quietly.

Hi L.~
We are obviously of different religions so I'm not sure how your place of worship works, but you will not get your toddler to respect the services. He is incapable of that sort of concept at his age. That is where childrens services comes into play, in my opinion. My son learns far more in his classroom (even in the nursery) than he does if I make him sit through the service. Sure, eventually you will want to teach your children to enjoy church services and extract some applications to live his life by, but at this point you are expecting the impossible. It will come with time, by example, not by force.
Good luck
~L.

what is would do is give him books n a notebook and a pen n have him read n write