5 tips for taking your toddler to a house of worship
By Jamie Asaraf
Taking your child to a place of worship can be challenging. It’s an exercise in patience, packing, and planning, but it’s worth it! These early, formative years are helping build a lifelong foundation in your children’s lives. Taking the time to integrate your child into your religious routine can help shape your child’s knowledge and understanding of not just the faith, but a sense of identity, purpose, and community. Here are a few suggestions on how to have a handle on things:
- Check for programs
If you’re not already familiar with the children’s programming, inquire with staff or other congregants with small children. Perhaps there is something already in place or in the making that will meet your family’s needs. If there isn’t, ask why, and consider sharing a list of things that are important to you when attending a place of worship with your children. You’re likely not the only one with those needs. If all else fails, try coming up with a program that might work for all the children at your place of worship. You don’t have to run it, but you can certainly propose it to get the ball rolling, or make leadership aware of the need.
- Create your village
If you have loved ones or single friends who attend your house of worship, recruit them to help while you’re engaging your child during the service. A trusted adult or teen can assist with activities, and potty or snack breaks. You can also try sitting/kneeling/worshiping near other families/congregants with children to create your support network.
- Maximize the space
Look for a space in your house of worship that can accommodate your family’s needs. If there is no nursery or room for family needs, advocate for one. There may be an existing space that is not in use and can be made available to you.
- Pack and play
It is easiest to bring your kids with you to places—especially places they are more hesitant to go—when they have something that makes them comfortable. That might include sticking to their regular eating/snack schedule and bringing small snacks to your place of worship. It might also mean bringing a special toy or object that means something to the child so that they can find some comfort in it during services. Other times, it might just mean planning to step out of the service with your child for a bit so that the experience is not overstimulating.
- Keep a routine
Make it a habit to attend your place of worship on a regular basis. This could mean once a day, once a week, or once a month. It could also even mean only attending on holidays. Setting a routine that even begins with preparation the morning of or night before can help communicate the importance and priority of the faith tradition in their lives.
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