Dealing "Those" kids

We have "those" children in our church as well, however, we are a very laid back church, and having children wandering around isn't disruptive, it's life. The pastor has numerous times just picked up the toddler and continued to preach while carrying him around. The children who want to go to Sunday school are welcome, but not forced, so if they want to stay downstairs, it's fine. There are toys in the back of the church they can play with. Yes, it gets noisy sometimes, but they are slowly learning when it's okay to talk and when they should whisper or play quietly.

If you want children to be seen and not heard (not a good saying, imo), then you have to work with the children to see what they will respond positively to. What does the girl like? What does she enjoy doing besides walking around? Does she like to read, color, play with games or puzzles, etc? Start a reward-based system that she will want to take part in that rewards her for sitting still, for completing a worksheet, coloring page, storybook chapter, memorizing a verse, or something else during the service. It may take some effort to find something that she'll respond to, but all good things take work and effort.

Concerning the baby, you will have to address your concerns with Grandma because babies don't know random objects shouldn't be shoved in their mouths. If Grandma can't afford rice cakes or other baby snacks for the baby to gnaw on during services, then maybe the church can provide her with some during services. How is feeding the baby disruptive to services?

 

Most of the old people, even though they wont admit it, enjoy being distracted by kids. Grandparents should not have to raise kids. Tough situation. I would err on the side of grace.