About six months after Jake was born, I got so tired of fighting with the boys about going to church on Sunday mornings that we quit going altogether.
I'm not RECOMMENDING that course of action, necessarily, and in general I don't let my kids steamroll me that way. However, it turned out to be a really nice break. We have so many commitments that weekends are a real respite for us, and fighting everyone on Sunday mornings didn't jibe with my definition of "respite."
I kept in touch with people from church, of course, and even went on the Women's Retreat a couple of years during our "break." But it's just not the same as being there.
So about six weeks ago, I bit the bullet and announced that we were going back. And please know when I tell you that there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth, THAT'S NOT HYPERBOLE. Nonetheless, we've made it there four out of the last six weeks, including yesterday. Grayson and Nathaniel were on a Cub Scout camping trip over the weekend, but yesterday I corralled Nick, Jake and Amelia and managed to get us there only a few minutes late.
But here's what it was like for the preceding 90 minutes after I said, "Let's get clothes on so we can leave for church":
"Nooooo."
"I don't wanna go."
"I don't wanna go."
"I'm not going."
"We're not going."
"I don't have any friends there."
"It's boring."
"You're so mean to make us go."
"I'm not going because Nathaniel doesn't have to go."
"I don't wanna go to my class."
"I wanna stay in big church with you."
"I'm not getting dressed."
"I'm NOT GOING."
Needless to say, it went on and on. This is but a small sampling of what I heard for what seemed like six hours but in actuality was considerably less. But is this the way I like to start my Sunday? Arguing with my kids about going to church? No. It's the entire reason we took a break. And I would also like to mention that they had a great time once we got there. They enjoyed their classes and didn't complain at all AFTER THE FACT.
So what I'd like to know is, does anyone else deal with this weekly? Do you just endure it? Or offer them a McDonald's milkshake if they shut their traps, like I did?
5 comments:
We are fortunate that Cooper loves church. We have a great children's program so that helps. I did have to deal with both my children crying and clinging to me cause they didn't want me to drop them off, it was all a seperation issue thing. When cooper was younger I really wanted to give up but I kept dropping him off and eventually he stopped crying and now does great. I can only imagine how hard that must be getting everyone out the door. I'll say a prayer for you that it gets easier.
My mother went through a delusional phase when I was about ten where she thought that not only could she take 3 children to church, but she could leave them alone on a pew and sing in the choir. Might have worked were it not a Catholic church. She gave up on choir but we went to church. She taught us the difference between what was optional and what was mandatory. It's a lesson I use with my toddler classes. Sitting still for circle time is optional. Having a diaper changed is mandatory.
My mother went through a delusional phase when I was about ten where she thought that not only could she take 3 children to church, but she could leave them alone on a pew and sing in the choir. Might have worked were it not a Catholic church. She gave up on choir but we went to church. She taught us the difference between what was optional and what was mandatory. It's a lesson I use with my toddler classes. Sitting still for circle time is optional. Having a diaper changed is mandatory.
My mother went through a delusional phase when I was about ten where she thought that not only could she take 3 children to church, but she could leave them alone on a pew and sing in the choir. Might have worked were it not a Catholic church. She gave up on choir but we went to church. She taught us the difference between what was optional and what was mandatory. It's a lesson I use with my toddler classes. Sitting still for circle time is optional. Having a diaper changed is mandatory.
First time commenter here but I'm rather passionate about this subject in our household! :)
Church attendance and ministry service projects are not optional at our house. God's sacrifice of His only Son on the cross was neither pleasant nor convenient, yet He did it for our benefit. This is a sacrifice my 15, 11 and 9 year old all have claimed. God isn't in our lives part time so we don't live for him on a part time basis or only for the fun stuff.
I should note that we have a 5year old with a disability and his medical condition does hinder us attending church as a family. My hubby stays out a few services with him and I stay out a few. The little guy also attends many services and we just make do!
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