My husband & I had been taking our kids to church & they hate it. They are 5, 3 & 16 months. We live in a rural area & there is no children's church or Sunday school, they have to sit through the regular sermon. The past few weeks I have been going alone since it's such a battle. My in laws act like I should make them go. They get very bored and then get ornery. Not bad, but enough that it's stressful for us trying to keep them quiet & not disturb others.I can't really blame them, they are just little kids. So, what do you think about this? Should I wait til they are older or take them now? Thanks for any advice.
2007-10-20 12:03:16 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
My 5 year old does good, it's the other 2 who I have the most trouble with. Our service is an hour and a half long.
2007-10-20 12:14:15 · update #1
My kids are the only ones at our church, it is very, very small.
2007-10-20 12:15:40 · update #2
I'm against forcing religion on others anyway, in all honesty. I think you can teach your children what you believe, and they can decide what to believe and whether or not to attend church. That's just my thoughts.
In this case however, it does not appear that the church is properly equipped for children, and so it's especially difficult for them. I think if this is the church you want to stay with, it would be better for ALL involved if they were older and more mature before they attended with you. You still have the ability to preach/teach/whatever to them as a family at home, though. The religion will not be lost.
2007-10-20 16:22:14 · answer #1 · answered by ~Biz~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oH dear, I can deffinately see the problem!
If there were more kids, you could start a children's class, but this is indeed difficult.
When I was a little girl, my parents would play a Christian video for myself and my brothers in another room, and take turns watching us.
In such a small church, there really isn't anything you can do, except bring plenty of colouring toys, balnkets and the like. Make it as fun as possible. If anyone gets annoyed, they must remember that they must "suffer the little children".
We don't want kids to become disdainful of the church-fellowship experience. Perhaps you could organise to have your kids (even just the older one) to go and sit with some "Aunties and Uncles", make it seem like a treat! Then you only have to watch one or two of the kids.
2007-10-20 19:20:42 · answer #2 · answered by treemeadow 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Raise a child up in the way that they should go and they will not depart from it.....doesn't the bible say that somewhere.
I have two children - one is 10 and the other is 15. I've taken both to church since they were just a few days old. I used to spend most of my time in the bathroom with the 15–year-old, because he didn't like sitting still in church - He now plays the drums in church and hates to miss church for any reason. My 10-year-old daughter cries if she has to miss church.
What I'm trying to say is, they may not enjoy it when they are very little, but one day they will. Besides, I don't know of any children who enjoy going to school, but we all know that they have too. Going to church is as essential as going to school.
2007-10-20 19:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by Jodyblonde 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were you, I would change Churches to one that had children's programs and a nursery. Even if they had an area in the back of the Church where you could take the youngest when he/she gets fussy. They usually have a window and a speaker where you can see and hear the service while holding your young one. Church is very important for little children because when they get older, it is up to them to decide how they want to believe. You will have done your part in making sure they get to Church regularly. Don't leave the kids at home. Take them with you. It's very important.
2007-10-20 19:14:41 · answer #4 · answered by ptruelove01 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. If they are stuck in a church with no other kids, they are never going to enjoy it, not even when they're grown. Try to find a church where there are kids their age and they'll probably like it.
My brothers and I were forced into a church with no kids when we were kids, and we absolutely hated it and cried every time we had to go because we didn't like all those hateful nosy old people. We begged for a church with kids in it, but our parents couldn't have cared less and said so. At the time, we kind of resented it, but now we're the ones who don't care. I have changed religions, and my brothers simply don't want to go.
2007-10-20 21:55:31 · answer #5 · answered by Bookworm 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think its important for kids to go to church. Why don't you try and find one that have Sunday School and baby care, the church that I go to have something for everyone including the teens and they love it. Hope it works out, the way this world is we all need a little Jesus in our lives. God Bless.
2007-10-20 19:39:52 · answer #6 · answered by vislander35 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
me and my husband are not church goers but we have sent our kids to church often. where we used to live the church bus came around and picked up anyone who wanted to go. we always sent our children. they did have sunday school for kids and separated them by age groups. our kids loved to go until they hit their teen age years. maybe if you found a church that had sunday school the kids would like it. it must be very difficult for the kids to sit still for a long time and listen to an adult talk about things that they dont understand.
2007-10-20 19:10:20 · answer #7 · answered by michelle r 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Church service is for adults more than kids. You really need to start a Sunday school class to keep those kids interested. That, and a bible study class for older kids. When I was a kid, some of the best times I had were with my church group. we went roller skating, ice skating, had trips to the snow etc and met at least one night per week for bible study and games.
2007-10-20 19:13:01 · answer #8 · answered by randy 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
This is a parents own personal choice.My parents told me as long as I lived in their house under their roof,I followed their rules.So when they went to church,I went to church.I grew to love it and I am glad of the values it instilled in me..My children will go to church with me as long as they live with me.Its really just the parents decision.
2007-10-21 02:34:53 · answer #9 · answered by ~*~ Ali ~*~ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kids should go to church so they can grow up goin to church and not only that so they can know who God is. find a church where you can be happy at or take some toys with them to church and let then sit in the chair and play. also bring some snacks they like so it can cool then down
2007-10-20 19:10:36 · answer #10 · answered by Lanetta 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋