Right now my 3-year-old still goes to the day care room and plays with toys during services. At what age do you start letting them come to the service and participate? Right now I think he'd just play with the hymnals and try to talk to any kids nearby. Right now all we do is say our "prayers" at night. I'm thinking now would be a good time to start saying a prayer before meals, too. What does everyone else do?

my kids are 5 and 6. they go to children's church during the regular service. i know that it starts at age 4 at our church. In children's church they learn something while they are there and do crafts. its not just playing with toys.
my kids have said their "blessing" at meals since before they could talk. they would fold their hands and bow their heads. once they could talk they started actually participating in the blessing. you're standard "God is great, God is good and we thank Him for our food. By His hands we all are fed. Thank you Lord for daily bread. Amen"
Its easy to remember and the kids are saying thanks.

I started with Tim when he was still a toddler. He had to learn to sit still or even take a nap at that time. He usually was very good with it. He learned to kneel when we did and to stand and sing when we did.

Its a matter how much you are willing to discipline. Its a matter of training them to focus and to listen.

I don't know if your church does this, but our church always had a children's story up front and that usually caught their attention. they would sit up front while the pastor or his wife or someone from the church told a bible story. they really liked it.

I also know now n'days, there are children's church...most focus almost like sunday school but it does keep their attention to biblical.

My sister takes her granddaughter to church and little J always participates with everything.

Just remember to also teach reverence in the sanctuary. the sooner you express this, the sooner they will learn that the sanctuary is a holy place to worship and not a play ground.

My three year old stays in church in the snactuary up until right before the pastor preaches. She stays for praise and worship and she loves the music. She loves the clapping and uplifted music with praise and I think when it slows down and people lift threir hands she goes right along with us. She likes me to hold her sometimes so she can get a higher veiw. After the music she goes to the childrens room and they play and have snack. She will have 'childrens church' with a lesson and all beginning at age 4. Yes...children absolutly need to learn early on to have reverence in the sanctuary. My daughter does and although she may look around and observe, which I think may be a good thing, she never hollers out or starts with the "mommy, mommy's", during prayer.

As far as blessings over the food; we have been doing that since day 1. We don't do a standard blessing but we do keep it short and simple for the little hungry bellies waiting.

Good Luck!!

I'll try to keep my post short as I'm married to a pastor - lol!

At the church we attended until we moved to FL in January, my youngest was in nursery (he turned 3 in February). Children were always encouraged to attend worship with their parents, but nurseries were available. I believe at around age 3 or 4 was the cutoff date of the nursery. That church had an abundance of young children, and it wasn't a huge church - just a lot of young families.

Now at our church, all 3 of my boys, ages 6 1/2, 5, and 3 sit in worship. I admit, that it can be difficult (believe me, especially when they were younger, there were some difficult days), but it is amazing what they do learn. I think they enjoy being included among the adults, and it's important to teach them reverence at a young age. My boys are able to sing along with some of the hymns, say the Lord's prayer, etc. Church isn't about entertaining ourselves, but about worshiping joyfully. There is no nursery as families are encouraged to worship together. We don't mind baby and kid noises There is a cry room that parents can use, if they want, though. It has a speaker so you can hear the service. My 3 year old has been making leaps and bounds and is doing much better. I do let him have a notebook with a pencil or crayons, and/or stickers. Sometimes I'll bring a coloring book. But when there are parts of worship that I want him to participate in (like singing hymns, etc.) then he can't use them. I ultimately want to wean him off. My 6 1/2 year old gets a pencil and notebook and takes "notes".

I highly recommend the book "Parenting in the Pew" http://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Pew-Guiding-Children-Worship/dp/0830823409

As far as bringing your son in, I would recommend a gentle introduction into the worship service. Maybe try to keep him in for 15 minute increments. My middle son had a hard time, but it got much easier when he was around 3 1/2. Snacks can also be a life saver! When he's older, you can teach him about tally marks and have him make marks every time he hears certain words like "God" or something.

We pray before every meal, and my sons often like to take turns. On most evenings, we also do "family worship". We sing a hymn of the month, work on memorizing scripture, pray, maybe recite catechism questions, etc.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 3monkeys,

Great response. It's obvious it comes from the wife of a pastor

Our church has a "cry room." Each of our two children used it (w/ us) until the age of 4. At age 4, each worshipped in the regular pews, but had pens and paper for entertainment. At age 6, the pens and paper were taken away and the children had to sit, stand, kneel (etc) whenever we did. We talked about the upcoming "graduation" from toys so they were PREPARED. It was a relatively smooth transition with both kids, although our son took a little longer and a little more prodding to follow instructions. At one mass, as the large church became quiet, he could be heard saying, "Is it almost over yet? I'm ready to go home." Luckily, he was greeted with smiles.

Our son now ushers w/ his father often, our daughter altar-serves 1x montlhy (more if there weren't so many kids wanting this role) and family dinners started with grace being said by the children start off every meal at the table. The day ends with prayers in the bedroom, thanking God for our MANY blessing and asking Him to bring comfort to others.

We didn't realize just how much our children appreciated our religious involvement until we happened upon their papers from school (a year apart). Both indicated they loved our "family time" and that they preferred it over "stuff." They were thankful for their close family (I believe one threw in the word "crazy") and they didn't want to go away to school upon their high school graduations.

We've started to wonder if we've made things too good

I've found that most church people raised children themselves so they are VERY understanding of children not being perfect in church. Our son eventually won over three older ladies that didn't seem to like kids; with his white hair and blue eyes, he kept smiling and winking at the ladies each Sunday. They finally caved! We've been approached by MANY over the years who have told us they've watched our childrew grow up (one is 13, the other is 7) and they like what they see. They always note that they think it's great that our kids are involved in the service.

I hope NOBODY stays away from school because they're worried their kids aren't perfect. Mine have had their "moments" in mass. It's all part of life and learning. And during those "moments," I remind myself "THIS TOO SHALL PASS!"

[QUOTE]Originally posted by McInnesmom:
I hope NOBODY stays away from school because they're worried their kids aren't perfect.

Oops, it's early. The word should read "CHURCH."

I'm with you on this question, Sarah. My babies, of course, still go to the nursery. My three year old is so NOT ready to go into the service; he is just way too hyper and talkative and rambunctious for sitting in the worship service, so he still goes to childcare/Sunday School. He likes it, DH and I can worship in peace and without worry, and I'm in no rush to bring him to the sanctuary, just to have to take him out every 10 minutes. He's getting a solid foundation in introduction to religion in class and at home, so it's all good.

I'm so impressed with first the original question and then the post.

i attend a church with a large number of teenagers whose parents do not attend. i grew up in church and so have my children. i am amazed at how many youth have no idea how to behave in church. i am proud to see my children for one setting the example!

sunday school provides an awesome opportunity to learn the absolute ins and out of the bible. and the relationships the children form with their teachers are life long.

great thread!