Seeking Suggestion for Child to Sit Still During Services

Take books, crayons anything like that and also snacks. Those usually work. Just remember 13 months is really young to understand how to sit quietly.

what is would do is give him books n a notebook and a pen n have him read n write

Hi L.~
We are obviously of different religions so I'm not sure how your place of worship works, but you will not get your toddler to respect the services. He is incapable of that sort of concept at his age. That is where childrens services comes into play, in my opinion. My son learns far more in his classroom (even in the nursery) than he does if I make him sit through the service. Sure, eventually you will want to teach your children to enjoy church services and extract some applications to live his life by, but at this point you are expecting the impossible. It will come with time, by example, not by force.
Good luck
~L.

I think you are expecting too much. He is just a toddler as you said. He only has the ability to sit still for 10-15 minutes before he gets bored. Totally normal. Do they have a nursery he can go to during the service? I have 2 kids 2 and 3 and they still have trouble sitting still in church. I think it will take a year or 2 more to get the hang of it. I have tried coloring books, quiet toys, but their attention still doesn't last an entire service.

I pack my purse with a little note book, stickers, a pen and crayons, little figures like baloo the bear. Once apon a child has a .25 little toy bin. My daughter loves silly puddy, it doesn't make a mess. I keep the toys hidden, and rotate them so they are till novel. If your there w/ someone get them to help, I call it tag teaming. Also you could whisper what the speaker is saying to the child. After that I offer healthy snacks.
Good luck, A. H

Hi,
I'm sorry to say, its going to be almost impossible to have your toddler sit in church with you. trust me, i have a 21 month old son LOL. I agree with Lacy about if you have a children's program or a nursery. You will learn more during that time if you're not constantly messing with him and making him be quiet. He will learn more if he is being taught a lesson for children his age also. If there are no other options, then bring quiet things for him to do while the speaker is speaking such as coloring books or books to look at. As far as running up and down the aisles, I agree. I have to stop my son every service and let him know that its a no-no and he has to sit down for a few minutes each time. He eventually got better, but at that age, you can only do so much:-)) Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you consistantly do it so that he'll know you mean business.
Good luck with everything!
M.

Suggest a daycare at the church. I used to go to one that had a childcare in the "crow nest" (a little room in the back balcony area). The daycare could turn control the volume of the sermon for their room, and the children had a place to play while still hearing the message from the speaker. It also provided cribs for the younger children for naps. It makes it easier for parents & other adults to enjoy the sermon while their children play quietly and still hear the sermon. The daycare was run by volunteers of the church.

That's a tough one. We still struggle with our 5 1/2 year old sometimes. Our other son is 19 months and will no way sit through the entire service. They're just not physically or mentally able to at that age.

Hi L.! This is a very tough age. They are more mobile now and it is hard for them to sit still for long periods of time, HOWEVER, I personally believe that now is the time to start teaching these principles. My kids are 4 years and 19 months now so we've been working on this too. We tend to sit towards the back of the sanctuary so if we need to go out, it doesn't cause too much disruption. We also take quiet toys for the kids to play with (puzzles, flap books, quiet cars, lacing cards, coloring books, toy glasses, etc, anything you think will quietly entertain). One thing that helps is if the toys aren't things that they play with every day. That way it is somewhat new and keeps their attention longer. Have your son participate as much as he can also...with prayer, singing, stand when others stand, etc. Involvement passes some of the time. Sometimes I also take a small snack for my little one. A bag of raisins, cheerios, or similar. I usually let him have that during the sermon cause it keeps him pretty quiet. Another thing that might help is to "practice" quiet time during the week. Maybe sit on a blanket for a bit with him and play with quiet toys. The more you practice, the longer he'll be able to sit still. Kids will be kids and most days won't be perfect, but my 4 year old does very well (and even my 19 month old does fairly well) so I know it gets easier and if you start teaching them young, it will be a natural, normal thing to have to sit quietly and respectfully in church. Good luck!