Easter invites

[synger]

The church I grew up in was similar. After the hymn and the readings and the "children's sermon," we were released to go downstairs to children's church.

The church we attend with our daughter does not do that, and I'm finding that I'm glad of it. Granted, we only have one child, and I see how frustrating it can be for parents with more kids. But I think it's important that they be exposed to the whole worship service, and learn to sit (relatively) still and respectful. By the time we get around to the prayers, Gem gets pretty squirmy, but she's much better than she used to be. And with the Creed and Lord's Prayer, she can follow along, since she's heard them so much at home.

But we also have a little "church bag" that we take, which has a snack, and a coloring book and crayons, and a book to read, and a lacing card. And our church has a children's bulletin, with a coloring page about the Bible lesson of the day, and some puzzles and things to think about.

 

[porterross]

Why don't parents just do a better job of disciplining their children? That's more what I was getting at.

100 years ago, when I was a kid, our ushers were fairly quick to escort a parent and an unruly distraction out of the service. We had a cry room and numerous back rooms just for that purpose.

 

[seajoy]

Why don't parents just do a better job of disciplining their children? That's more what I was getting at.

100 years ago, when I was a kid, our ushers were fairly quick to escort a parent and an unruly distraction out of the service. We had a cry room and numerous back rooms just for that purpose.

Ok...I'm afraid to say this...but here goes. (for fear others will think badly of me)

One sunday (my kids were about 3 and 5) a lady (who had 2 children the same age as my 2) came up to me after church, and said "How do you get your kids to sit so still in church?" I said "If they don't....they know they will get a major swat when we get home!" I thought her eyes would fall out of her head. I could tell that was a foreign thing in her home.

As I recall...we rarely spanked our kids, but they always knew it was possible!

 

[DaSeminarian]

Ok...I'm afraid to say this...but here goes. (for fear others will think badly of me)

One sunday (my kids were about 3 and 5) a lady (who had 2 children the same age as my 2) came up to me after church, and said "How do you get your kids to sit so still in church?" I said "If they don't....they know they will get a major swat when we get home!" I thought her eyes would fall out of her head. I could tell that was a foreign thing in her home.

As I recall...we rarely spanked our kids, but they always knew it was possible!

Children who know their boundaries are better behaved wherever they go.

Usually parents who are astounded that anyone would lay hand to a child are those who believe that children are born innocent. This is far from the truth. Children are born just as guilty of sin as adults, but baptism forgives the sin and relieves the punishment as they learn godliness from Parents and church.

I think that children who have been abused by children have the potential for different extremes when they become parents. They will either repeat their parents offense and abuse their own children or they will not discipline at all.

My wife and I were both brought up by parents who spanked us when necessary and at other times used groundings or special chores to discipline us. We therefore use the same on our own children.

Spanking is necessary for willful disobedience of the parents command.

It is interesting to me in studying the Large Catechism of Herr Doktor Luther that the fourth commandment explanation of giving honor to Mother and Father is not about love, but about honor.

Children don't need to love their parents, but they do need to honor them and respect them.

 

[porterross]

Well, that's right. The fear of it was enough for me and when my daughter got truly chaotic, it was the only way to reel her back in. It wasn't about any force being applied, but it was almost as if that brought closure to the issue for her. I don't understand it, but she minds and behaves very well now so something worked. I just pray it stays that way through high school!

All kids are different, though. Her oldest brother was easily reigned in with a few words. Maybe because he knew I meant it.

 

[dinkime]

a couple years ago the kids were released to sunday school right AFTER the sermon -- but we stopped that because the teachers would have to miss communion and the kids were not learning the proper way to behave during church or the importance for an entire service

 

[LilLamb219]

Usually parents who are astounded that anyone would lay hand to a child are those who believe that children are born innocent.

Untrue! So untrue.

We are non-spankers! We are by far permissive parents though as our child receives consequences for her actions. She may not like them, but they relate to what the action was that she did so it's a very good learning lesson for her to make proper decisions in the future. It works. My child is a wonderful girl!

 

[seajoy]

Untrue! So untrue.

We are non-spankers! We are by far permissive parents though as our child receives consequences for her actions. She may not like them, but they relate to what the action was that she did so it's a very good learning lesson for her to make proper decisions in the future. It works. My child is a wonderful girl!

I bet you always followed through with what you said you would do. That is majorly important.

 

[LilLamb219]

Yes, you have to be consistent or they don't believe you.

I believe in the Get Up Off Your Butt parenting. My sister would always sit around screaming at her children but never got up to help them do her demands if they needed help. I asked my child to do something and when she needed my assistance or was delaying in doing it, I literally went to help her out so she wouldn't be overwhelmed (depending on age level). She learned to trust in me instead of being afraid of me.

It helps that we're both very good-natured though. She doesn't do things just because I tell her or because she's afraid of what will happen if she doesn't. She does them because she sees the need for them to get done.

Hopefully that will stick now that she's a teen