Of course all good moms know that if your kids gets naughty in church the last thing you should do is take them out and let them run the halls. Kids are smart. They know that if they are noisy enough mom or dad will take them out to freedom.
Well, just such a thing happened today. Little Adam can't be still for more than 30 seconds. It was a battle to get past the sacrament. Everything in the "entertainment" bag was used to keep him quiet, yet it only made it halfway through the first speaker. We try out best to keep him in the middle of the pew. But, once Adam decides he wants to break free from the family pew there's no stopping him. And he's LOUD! There's no soft voice in this child, yet. So, once again I took him out! (I mean, some people around us probably wanted to actually hear the speakers.)
I tried to sit on the couch just outside the doors to make things "boring" for him. Didn't work too well for me. He escaped and ran back through the chapel doors. Luckily, a missionary was sitting next to the open door and grabbed him as he entered. The missionary also gave him a little blue bouncy ball to play with. He threw it down the hall and ran after it squealing with delight. Open doors have extra appeal. Adam stopped at each one to decided if he wanted to stay and explore. The little stool at the water fountain was especially fun. Every once in a while I'd pick him up and try to be quiet for a time. Maybe find a few pictures to look at. Anything to hold his attention. Nothing worked for very long and then we were off down another hall. This carried us through until there were only 5 minutes left. Then were went back for the closing song.
What to do, what to do? I don't want this to become a habit, yet I feel stuck in a downward spiral! Any suggestions out there?? I guess we'll just wait and see what Adam does next week. (Dan's turn anyway!)
12 years ago
each time that sam needs to be taken out, i sit either in the foyer or find an empty classroom and hold him on my lap very tight. he is usually pretty good for the rest of sacrament, since being able to be free in the pew is better than being uncomfortably held tight on mom's lap in the foyer. we have a no tolerance policy for an enjoyable foyer experience during sacrament... maybe that will help?
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing as Sally. It will take many times to get him to understand. And make sure both parents have the same method. My husbnd seems to enjoy the "enjoyable foyer".
ReplyDeleteBut what age did you start doing that? Is 18 months too young to understand??
ReplyDeletewe started from the very beginning. as soon as sam thought the foyer was fun, it became not so fun. when livia starts moving around on her own, that will be what we do. so, if anything, 18 months is too old! but it's never too late to start. good luck! and jill is right about having both parents do the same.
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