How do I get my son to be good in church? What punishment do I use?

Question

he is only two. thanks

Answer 1

If he doesn't like church then you should not use any punishment. People are allowed to believe in what they want. Maybe he is bored and needs an incentive to go. Punishment doesn't usually work but might make your son hate church more. Try to add something else after church that is fun for him to do. Like go out for a treat afterwards or something. Good luck!

Answer 2

The word punishment is your first problem. The idea is discipline (from the Latin, to teach). You need to help him learn as opposed to beating him into submission. You want him to shut up and sit down so that you can hear, he can hear and others can hear. Did you tell him that the people behind him can't hear if he's messing around? Did you bring some quiet things for him to do? I'm not sure how old he is but have you considered the possibility that an hour or two may be too long for a small child to sit quietly? Pack a "church bag" with a couple of books, a coloring book, crayons, and a couple of quiet toys (little cars that he can drive on the pew next to you are good) and some quiet snacks. Explain that he needs to show himself, you and the other people respect by being quiet so they can hear. Explain that he needs to show the pastor/priest respect by not interrupting and then tell him if he cannot be quiet that you and he will have to step outside where he will have to sit without his toys and books.
Don't lose your lesson in the teaching, punishing him in a way that doesn't make sense or is physical will make him feel victimized and he will miss the being quiet in church part.
If you want more help or have more questions, feel free to email me.

Answer 3

That would depend on whether your son is 3 or 13. If he is very young (and I suspect that is the case), don't expect him to be perfect. Church services are often boring for young children. I gather your church does not have a preschool age sunday school or child care program. Perhaps you could start one.

I would suggest that you bring some activities for him to do during services if he must sit with you. Perhaps a few crayons and a colorbook or something else that he enjoys doing. A little snack like dry cheerios or fruit snacks is helpful also as it keeps them occupied.

Also, I would suggest that you show a great deal of enthusiasm about going to church yourself as this will help him form the attitude that church is good etc. Talk to him about your faith and how much it means to you (in his terms of course). If he becomes totally disruptive so it makes it impossible for you to get anything out of the service or if he is disturbing others, take him out of the service area and let him know that you are very displeased with his behavior. Sometimes the kids seem to misbehave to get out of church so this idea may not always be the best route but it should be used as a last resort.

Good luck. Give him time. He will turn out fine.

Answer 4

You shouldn't force him to church. That's a definite NO.
Ask him some of the following questions to get his vibe on faith...
1. Do you believe in a Higher Power?
2 Do you think that Higher Power could possibly have a son, wife, family?
3. Do you have any questions on religion, if you think there stupid just tell him to ask you or ask us at Y! Answers.
I would suggest taking passages out of The Bible, Torah and The Holy Koran that may interest him. Just don't force religion on him that's the crusades and genocide all over again at a smaller level.

It would of helped if you told us he was 2 a little earlier. If hes still isn't a church goer by 10 use this.

Answer 5

Some churches have classes or daycare for kids so parents can go to the services without having their kids disrupting the service. See - the thing some people don't understand is that kids are naturally active, and curious. They get bored easily. They don't have the ability to sit still through a sermon that they likely won't understand anyway. This is, in part, the reason I don't think children should be allowed in church. The other reason is I don't believe in childhood indoctrination.

Answer 6

Your son is good ,he's just bored. Find a church that has activities for children. The Cornerstone church has a program for children that's great. Children who attend there never want to go home. Find an church that will feed the whole family and cure the problem.

Answer 7

Don't bring him. That's kind of cruel to bring a 2 year old to Church & expect him to be quiet. 2 year olds should be having fun getting dirty or playing in the snow. I have 4 cousins who were all forced to go to church & 3 of them are atheists & 1 is an agnostic. Wait until he's old enough before he starts being afraid that he'll burn in hell for doing things normal kids do. You can teach him about God & Jesus at home without all the hell stuff

Answer 8

If he's 2, he should be in the nursery. If your church has no nursery, take some quiet toys for him to play with. If he is busy he won't get into trouble. I would try to NOT punish him, it may be his only memory of church & turn him off of it for along time.

Answer 9

He's two. You have to consider what is age appropriate at two. If your church doesn't offer either a "quiet room" (glass room where kids can be themselves) or child care/Sunday school, maybe you should find a church that is more appropriate for your family at this stage.

Answer 10

If your church does not have a babysitter, take him something to draw. Children act bad at the church, do not worry about it too much. It is a good thing that he has these experiences.