Lyle's good behavior at church

Last Sunday is very memorable for me because for the first time that Lyle was able to finish the the 1-hour mass without any tantrums and we didn't have to leave the church earlier. He is still making some fuss but they were manageable =) Looking forward for next Sunday's mass.

Below is an article from BabyCenter.com about some tips/advice on how you can get your toddler to sit still during church service. The one that works best for us is finding a seat that's along a side aisle and near the door so we can easily escape in case of emergency i.e. tantrums, crying, shouting. hehe

 

How can I get my toddler to sit still during church services?

Our church doesn't have a childcare program. How can I get my toddler to sit still during services?

 

Expert Answers

Patricia Henderson Shimm, parent educator and author

Toddlers have a limit to how long they can sit still, wherever you may be. Your daughter's too young to pay attention to the service, and eventually her natural toddler energy will make her want to get up and go. So instead of planning to attend the service for the entire time with a well-behaved toddler (probably a bit unrealistic), your best bet is to devise ways to keep her occupied. Before you leave for the service, pack her a bag with some of her favorite books, crayons and paper, a juice box, and maybe even a snack, as long as it's something she can eat quietly (nothing too crunchy!). When you get to church, try to find seats along a side aisle so you're away from the center of activity and she has space on the floor to play. Be prepared to take her outside a few times during the service so she doesn't get antsy. You and your partner can tag team, so that each of you gets to attend part of the service while the other entertains her outside. Another possibility is to organize your day so that your toddler is tired by the time you go to church — for example, you could skip her afternoon nap before an evening service, or wake her up early and take her out to play before a morning service. If she's tuckered out, she may fall asleep on your lap, thus allowing you to enjoy the service in peace.

While it's understandable that you'd want your daughter to join you at church, it's best to keep your expectations low. To a child this age, attending services may be no different from a long wait at the doctor's office. When she's a little older, she'll be able to participate more meaningfully.


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