GET UP!!
BE QUIET!!
KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF!!!
______, GET OVER HERE AND GET IN THIS CIRCLE...NOW!!!
...and its not like we don't do it enough. We're consistent. I thought they'd have it down by now.
Last night before we left for the temple we had family prayer and it all went down the same way.
I don't feel the Spirit.
I'm mad.
On the way to the temple I told Jeff I don't want there to be so much contention during Family Prayer. I prayed about it while I was in the temple. The thought to put these questions on my blog came to my mind.
What can we do to make family prayer happier?
Is it even possible with young children?
WHAT DO YOU DO?
IS IT THE SAME AT YOUR HOUSE?
I want them to be respectful, reverent, and do it the right way but at what expense?
Should I let them do what they want so there isn't a fight?
Do other families kneel in family prayer and have a mother that's about ready to lose it when it's all done?
♥
Kim, sometimes we have the same problem, but as my children get older it's getting better. But there have definitely been times where it's my turn to say the prayer but after yelling at my children to sit still and be quiet I don't feel in the praying mood and ask Brandon to do it for me. Sad, huh?
ReplyDeleteThe only idea I have ot offer you is this. A friend of mine said that every single time they get ready to have family prayer she starts singing, "Let us gather in a circle and kneel in family prayer, To thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings we all share." The song is pg. 189 of the children's song book and it is appropriately called Family Prayer.
When she told me that I thought about what a great idea it is and wished I had started doing it when my kids were young, now that they are all a bit older I think they would laugh at me. But I bet you could get away with it.
I even remember her children talking about that tradition when I was in Primary so I think it is something that her kids really enjoy and are proud of.
Well, here is my 2 cents about family prayer. We also have lots of times when one or two of the kids are taking forever to come, but mostly its only taking forever because we or I have a LIST of things I want to do for me still before bed. But we pray wherever its convenient. Wherever the kids are at the time, it may be downstairs by the bathroom, either of the kids bedroom, our bedroom, the living room. I don't think it matters where or sometimes even how. Especailly with little kiddos. my kids are kneeling most of the time on someones bed together and yes, there are poking and sometimes other irreverent things but the question is "what long term effect are they remembering from family prayer" I think for us it would be a togethereness as a family and the feeling each child has as they gather together with their closest friends...their cheerleaders. I think that is what each of us as parents want to teach. Along with teaching how to pray...they learn that by listening to mom and dad. Sometimes when the kids pray I will start a sentence and then have them think of something to finish it. For example, "Im thankful for our home and...
ReplyDeleteIts really easy to get frusterated and trust me Im not immune to that but Darin and I try not to expect perfected children when they are only ages 7, 5, and 2. I think if we are too pushy and "Get in here, hurry up all the time then what are they going to remember. That we always had family prayer but it was forced and fake because everyone yells and hurry up, hurry up then its all suddenly spirtiual. Our kids can sense that, especially as they get older.
Hey Kim, I just had to comment cause we had this same problem. We started something that Luke's family actually used to do. Who evers turn it is, (we just do it at night prayer because morning there is not as many fights, to tired I bet) we go around the circle and each family member has to say what they like about the person (no repeats) saying the prayer. It works so well, a spirit of love comes into the room, and we NEVER forget night prayer cause who's ever turn it is has nice things said about them so they want to say it! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteIn the morning we do it at the breakfast table and kneel then and do it with our food blessing. The kids know it is what we do before we eat, so it works.
ReplyDeleteAt night every night we read scriptures. And then we kneel while we sing a song, often Listen.. to help us to remember to Listen, and then we pray. Doing the three together helps the kids to know what we are doing. And we try and do it in the same place every time. But if we can't we go where they are.
Good luck!!
I think it sounds totally normal what's going on with your kids. The only advice I have is to just be patient because it gets better as they get older. We are like Lee and we read scriptures right before prayer at night so we are already somewhat calm before that and it helps. Good luck. If you find a good answer you'll have to share so we can all benefit! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYour kids sound totally normal.
ReplyDeleteLike anything else with kids it is a learning process. Repetition until they leave the house - ha ha.
If you get mad then it does kind of set that "bad" tone and takes the spirit out and the kids definately can feel that. You know that you feel that and it doesn't make family prayer time very appealing.
What we have always done is read scriptures in conjunction with prayer that way they are already in the room (it doesn't necessarily mean they are calmed down - ha ha) but if they are all in the room we say "Time for Family Praye". My husband and I will kneel and not say a word until they are all kneeling. Once you get one or two to join you they will encourage the others because it gets pretty tiring on those knees waiting :D
It is a process but it worked for us.
Every once in awhile someone will fart right before the prayer or something like that and we just laugh our guts out. It may take us a few minutes to become reverent again but what a funny family moment.
It'll happen. Your heart is in the right place. Your goal is good!
Happy Weekend!
Sorry I sound like such an advice giving mom, and we are definately not perfect at these things, but I guess I have been there :D
ReplyDeleteCherie,
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me?? I'm eating up all the advice. One of the reasons I love blogging so much is to get a different take on something and see how different humans other than the ones I see EVERYDAY act.
They act just like we do. Makes me feel like all is not lost.
Somehow, I've conjured up in my mind my kids should act like robots.
Ha!!!
I'm so happy that you've been leaving comments, by all means, comment AWAY!! Please?!
Oh, yea....I'm right with ya! My advice is pretty much the same as every other mother so far. We do it at the same time in the same place and combine it with scriptures. Even so, we still have a 3 year old who is spunky by nature and is still learning. If he doesn't come, he doesn't come, but at this point at least he's learned to be quiet while the rest of us pray. The other two still have to be reminded about kneeling "still" and not bumping each other during prayer etc., etc. It frustrates me, too, but then I just figure that at least they are establishing a habit and if I look back, they are getting better.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea about singing a song. That always invites the spirit and having the spirit there will help everyone (even the mom!) feel ready to pray.
You are good to the core. Just keep doing what you're doing!