When my children were 1, 3, and 5 years old, Sacrament meeting could be very interesting. Especially since the oldest, and only boy, had ADD. Since these children learn by doing, touching feeling, etc., I had learned that whispering to my son to be quiet, was useless. I had taken to giving a gentle pinch as a first warning. Second offense would be harder, and third (if there was one) would merit a visit to the restroom for a ‘laying on of hands.’ I knew it was possible for a five year old to sit quietly, since my 3 year old already did. This particular Sacrament meeting, I was very interested to hear what the speaker was saying. I had already separated my son from the 1 year old, passed out pencils and paper to ‘write’ on, and given ‘the LOOK’ all to no avail. So, I reached over and pinched gently. “OWWW!!” reverberated throughout the Chapel. I snatched his arm and rocketed out of the pew. His, “I’ll behave, Mom! I’ll behave!” echoed as parents and grandparents alike, quietly tittered in their seats. Believe me, that was the LAST time he pulled that one!
Dennis CarrollSeptember 19, 2016
In the late 70's,I served as the Bishop of a student ward at Ricks College. My wife and 3 young children often attended sacrament meeting in the afternoon, the only children in a ward of very quiet and reverent young adults. On one of those Sundays, during the sacrament, my oldest son really had to go to the restroom. He returned a few minutes later while the sacrament was still being passed. There he stood at the door at the front of the classroom/chapel with his trousers down at his ankles. Then calling toward the stand where I sat, he said in a voice loud enough to be heard by all said, "Daddy, come and wipe my bottom?" I've always been grateful for that young man who jumped up, took his hand and helped him back to the bathroom.
Dorrie KeithSeptember 19, 2016
I was feeling quite self-satisfied with my efforts at keeping four very small boys still and reasonably reverent during Sacrament Meeting. A brother in the row behind us was resting his head on his arms on the back of our bench. Our 3 year old began gently stroking the man's shiiny head. "How sweet", I thought, until a small but penetrating voice announced, "That man don't got any hair on his head, Mom!"
Bob SiskSeptember 19, 2016
The Relief Society room in our new (at the time) chapel had a large picture window on the outside wall with small bushes and flowers along and below it. The glass in the window was reflective, meaning in daylight you can see out but you can't see in.
One Sunday, Primary had let out a little bit early. Our youngest son (4-5 years old) decided to play outside. At a certain point he decided that he needed to relieve himself. Of course, he chose to 'water' the landscaping underneath that particular window in full view of all the sisters in the room. My wife and I had to endure that one for quite a long time.
Mike M.September 19, 2016
When we were potty-training our first child and while the sacrament was being passed, I had to take my daughter to the restroom. After we returned, my daughter interrupted the silence by proudly announcing "I went pee-pee!." My wife and I just smiled. I wasn't embarrassed at all---until my daughter continued: "And daddy went pee-pee, too!"
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Samantha WilsonSeptember 20, 2016
When my children were 1, 3, and 5 years old, Sacrament meeting could be very interesting. Especially since the oldest, and only boy, had ADD. Since these children learn by doing, touching feeling, etc., I had learned that whispering to my son to be quiet, was useless. I had taken to giving a gentle pinch as a first warning. Second offense would be harder, and third (if there was one) would merit a visit to the restroom for a ‘laying on of hands.’ I knew it was possible for a five year old to sit quietly, since my 3 year old already did. This particular Sacrament meeting, I was very interested to hear what the speaker was saying. I had already separated my son from the 1 year old, passed out pencils and paper to ‘write’ on, and given ‘the LOOK’ all to no avail. So, I reached over and pinched gently. “OWWW!!” reverberated throughout the Chapel. I snatched his arm and rocketed out of the pew. His, “I’ll behave, Mom! I’ll behave!” echoed as parents and grandparents alike, quietly tittered in their seats. Believe me, that was the LAST time he pulled that one!
Dennis CarrollSeptember 19, 2016
In the late 70's,I served as the Bishop of a student ward at Ricks College. My wife and 3 young children often attended sacrament meeting in the afternoon, the only children in a ward of very quiet and reverent young adults. On one of those Sundays, during the sacrament, my oldest son really had to go to the restroom. He returned a few minutes later while the sacrament was still being passed. There he stood at the door at the front of the classroom/chapel with his trousers down at his ankles. Then calling toward the stand where I sat, he said in a voice loud enough to be heard by all said, "Daddy, come and wipe my bottom?" I've always been grateful for that young man who jumped up, took his hand and helped him back to the bathroom.
Dorrie KeithSeptember 19, 2016
I was feeling quite self-satisfied with my efforts at keeping four very small boys still and reasonably reverent during Sacrament Meeting. A brother in the row behind us was resting his head on his arms on the back of our bench. Our 3 year old began gently stroking the man's shiiny head. "How sweet", I thought, until a small but penetrating voice announced, "That man don't got any hair on his head, Mom!"
Bob SiskSeptember 19, 2016
The Relief Society room in our new (at the time) chapel had a large picture window on the outside wall with small bushes and flowers along and below it. The glass in the window was reflective, meaning in daylight you can see out but you can't see in. One Sunday, Primary had let out a little bit early. Our youngest son (4-5 years old) decided to play outside. At a certain point he decided that he needed to relieve himself. Of course, he chose to 'water' the landscaping underneath that particular window in full view of all the sisters in the room. My wife and I had to endure that one for quite a long time.
Mike M.September 19, 2016
When we were potty-training our first child and while the sacrament was being passed, I had to take my daughter to the restroom. After we returned, my daughter interrupted the silence by proudly announcing "I went pee-pee!." My wife and I just smiled. I wasn't embarrassed at all---until my daughter continued: "And daddy went pee-pee, too!"
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