You all I am sure have heard me talk about how I desire to one day keep all my children with me in worship. Obviously having babies close, its making that desire easier said than done… however, I still desire it.

Ive known about this book called Parenting from the Pew for some time… I just keep putting off ordering it. Not sure why. Actually I do know why.. :-) – its called 3 kids LOL and a business and home to run. Just kind of busy to do much reading, but im def. getting this soon! My husband wants to read it as well.

I heard a lady speak on it years ago in FL though and was really encouraged by what she said and how their church did things.

I think sunday school is good… and small group is awesome… Kids need bible stories that are easy to understand on their level… and also its nice for them to experience other adults in the church teaching them about Christ and for them to learn about these things with other children their age. Its also especially nice to have this if your kids are home schooled (like ours)… our kids dont get much interaction throughout the week with kids their age.. so we really look forward to them getting this on wednesday and sunday.

However… I think there is a time and place for everything.. and when it comes to worship, I can see far many more benefits for me/and them to keep my children with me in worship.

I have been avoiding staying consistent with this and my kids since Owen was born…
Its hard to keep Owen quiet, let alone worry with 2 other kids in a room full of adults trying to listen.
I think though the more I keep putting it off, the harder it will be to get into the routine of it… and I really should just start.

So today I did it…
I kept all 3 with me in worship!

The Parenting from the Pew book doesnt encourage taking a KID BAG with your children.. so I am breaking that rule :-) – but I dont really see the harm in a child bringing a few things to keep busy hands together for an hour. I just try to keep the things in that bag minimal and quiet. (I will list below what goes in them)

My rule has always been that the boys have to sit without the bags until their Daddy starts preaching or after special music. That gives them 15 minutes or so of joining in with the worship! They get to experience singing, listening to announcements, prayer, offerings… and so on.

My minds kind of going blank here as I try to write this as Caleb watches some really annoying transformer cartoon :-) – so I cant concentrate very well… but I just am really excited to see how things continue with keeping my boys in worship.

It was also encouraging when I got home to hear my husband say “You looked like a blessed woman, surrounded by those boys.” – and I have to agree… I really am and I felt it too.

Will it be easy?
Will there be struggles?
Will I question the effort?
Will I want to call it quits some days?

Im sure :-) – parenting isnt easy!
and there may be times I cant keep them with me… if I have nursery duty my boys wont be able to go into worship (unless an adult wants to volunteer to be their mommy for a sunday? hint hint). But come what may… I know this is the right thing to do… and im excited to see my children grow.

Many times when we sit down to dinner and have prayer… and Caleb volunteers to pray and prays so well.. I cant help but think of the day when my husband will call on my boy to lead the congregation in a closing prayer! What a powerful testimony it will be!!

Now to those curious whats in their bags:
I put 1 coloring book
1 notebook (for Caleb – taites not into them)
a few crayons or markers
1 toy matchbox car (nothing loud)
1 pad of stickers
a rubix cube lol (calebs bag)
1 tiny action figure (small, like an inch tall)

After we get into the routine of things better, I will take out any sort of TOY and leave just coloring books.
Boys are very busy… and I think their attention span is harder to keep quiet… so for me, I am using this… but do plan to weed out TOYS and books (besides a bible maybe) in time.