Church Bags

So, after years of pacing the halls with my children during church, we have finally found a solution!! We tried these for the first time last Sunday and for the first time in a long time, Michael and I got to sit through ALL of our meetings (except for a nursing break for Noah). AND, it was ward conference, so Noah sat in the same pew the entire time and did SO well! It was so awesome! So here are our successful church bags!!! Each child brings their bag to Church and we hang them up on the outside hook until Sacrament Meeting (we have our other meetings first here) and then they get them when we are ready to go in. Each child will get a bag at one year old (or so is the plan!). Also, the kids don't get to play with these any other time them for Church, so it kind of helps keep up the novelty.


Inside Lyna's bag is an I-spy bag, two sister missionary little people, two mini-stuffed animals, a mini -file folder binder with 10 games and one laminated white piece of paper to color on with dry erase markers, a snack sack, two puzzles, two books, an etch-a-sketch mini, and two picture card books.
In Noah's bag is two missionary little people, two mini-stuffed animals, a Noah's Ark hand puppet book, two books, two picture card books, a snack sack, and diapering supplies.


Another thing that has helped tremendously is sitting in a pew next to the wall. We used to always sit in the chairs in the back, but it is too hard to contain a child that way. So, now we get there early and reserve one of the small side pews for our family. Then one parent can help them get things out of their bags, play with them, entertain, etc. and the other parent can block the only exit!