Parenting in the Pew: KIDS in Church (05.25)

This Sunday the 1st through 3rd graders will be in service.
Check back on Friday for some specific information related to the sermon.

Here are some tips from the book "Parenting in the Pew" for having your kids in the service:

• Be with your children.  
• "Paying attention in worship is foundational to training children in the pew.  And giving attention to our children during this time is essential.  It is very important that parents and children sit together during worship."
• Being in the sanctuary.  
• While in the sanctuary I understand that you have the privilege and responsibility to guide your children in worship.
• Being attentive.  
• Avoid water fountain visits between Sunday school and worship.  Why is it so difficult to get children to drink water until there is a water fountain to splash around in?
• Make a mandatory bathroom stop between class and the service.
• "If we want our children to learn to pay attention to the Lord, we will eliminate as many distractions as possible.  This means that toys, loose change, books, dolls and trucks should stay at home."
• "As other parents joined me in 'parenting in the pew," we sat near each other and helped each other out."
• Being quiet.  
• "The purpose of parenting in the pew is to train a child to worship, not to be quiet."
• "Training children to worship does not always enhance our own experience of being before the Lord, especially at first."
• "If you sit close to your children, you can give whispered instructions and reminders rather easily and with little or no distraction to others."
• Being helpful
• "Young worshipers especially need help in learning how to pay attention in worship."
• Ask your child questions after the service.
• Being firm
• "Parenting in the pew goes better some weeks than others."
• Be consistent.