For that past few weeks/months, we have been taking our boys to nursery during church. Reason number one: so that they were able to prepare a little for the near-future change. And reason number two, aka the REAL reason number one, because they have been so out-of-control during the other two meetings they make me want to pull my hair out and never return to church! Needless to say, it has been much easier just taking them to nursery. Either Shane or I would stay with them the whole time to "help out", until they were official nursery go-ers. Here's the thing, I don't think I was "helping out" at all, really.
Our first time visiting the nursery, I remember feeling like I had a lot of work to do to get them "ready" for nursery. I watched the little kids sit on their chairs, drinking their water out of little Dixie cups, not eating their neighbors fishies, and just laughed on the inside! For the following weeks, I found myself both thinking on the inside and saying outloud things like, "Oh, Cade likes playing with these kinds of toys" or "Really, I don't think you'll EVER get Carson to sit on a little carpet square and sing songs" or "Umm...you have to watch Cade (and Carson) because he'll stuff like 50 crackers in his mouth all at the same time & then try to take a drink" or "You want them to color? Really???" Don't you love it when people just smile and say..."Oh you're such a first-time Mom!" The nursery worker was so great at just talking with me about my craziness but I know on the inside she wanted to say "So, I know you're here to 'help' and and all...but really, could you maybe just...LEAVE!?!?"
This last Sunday was the first time I left them...for the whole 2 hours. For the past 18 months, all I've been thinking is, "oh, it'll be SO nice when I can send them to nursery so that I can just enjoy church." Here's what I got out of Sunday School as I sat there all calm and quiet with my sweet hubby. We should keep the sabbath day holy...."hmmm, I wonder if Carson is still just slamming the closet doors over & over again. Hope he doesn't catch another little kid's fingers." A day of rest..."really, there hasn't been a stinky diaper yet? They said they would come get me if they needed anything...Cade is due...should be anytime now. Oh man, I'm feeling super tired...I'm going to fall asleep any moment now. Wonder if Carson has stolen everyone's fruit snacks yet." AND, Sunday School is now over.
It was such a bittersweet day. Are we ever really ready for our babies not to be babies anymore? I look at all the other kids in nursery and can't help but think that they are all "big kids" and my boys are still "just babies." It really is such a good thing that I turn them over to someone else one day a week to help them "grow up" a little. Otherwise, they'll have the capabilities of a five-year-old when they're ten!
Maybe this is when people decide to have another baby because they have these funny feelings about their current baby(s) growing up. Not to worry...my mixed up emotions about it all subside WAY before I ever get this far!!!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Nursery Time
Posted by Shane and Amy Jo at 12:34 PM
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12 comments:
Don't worry, next Sunday I think you'll really find time to enjoy it and think, how did I ever do it without nursery! It is weird the first time though:)
I've finally got Lily in nursery the whole two hours so now I can sit and teach my class without worrying, and Brett and teach his class without having to keep her with him. Honestly it's such a relief that I can say this time it's been easy! You'll get used to it and LOVE it before long. Promise.
I am the same way you are thinking that she will never be able to do the things the others do. But surprisingly in the last few weeks she's made great progress. She will sit at the table almsot the entire time and play with playdough with they let her. She really has surprised me, even with being the youngest baby in there. Hopefully your boys will do the same pretty quick.
Isn't it funny that we pretty much count down the days until they go to nursery and then whey they do we find ourselves missing them!?! It's hard to have them grow up so fast....people always say it goes by quick, but you never believe them until it actually happens to you...right before your eyes. Brayden still sneaks snacks off other kids plates.....oops :)
hahah! loved your post. Yes, at least when I had my boys with me I had an excuse not to pay attention. I have such a hard time. But now I'm in primary. It's geared more to my level so it's a little easier. Not much though! And nursery leaders have a special place in heaven for sure!
i am freaking out about leaving chloe in nursery in 3 months...and i am not a first time mom. i am even saying that i will wait till she is 2:) i also hate spending my time in the halls, but fruit snacks!? my baby doesn't have the teeth...aaahhhh! i am not ready to let some nursery leader decide what she can and can not eat.
I know what you mean. I took Jordan early too because he is just a crazy monster in regular classes. I had to keep peeking the window to convince myself that yes my 16 mo. old was indeed sitting on the chair and drinking from the dixie cup like a BIG boy, bittersweet indeed. Now that he's actually old enough to go he clings to me with death grip fingers as soon as we near the nursery door.
You're so cute! And I can't believe they're 18 months old already? Where has the time gone? I can't wait 'til Magson gets to nursery!
I have worked in Nursery and it always amazes me how quickly the kids catch on. When they see the other kids doing their thing they follow suit. It must be rough turning them over to someone else though. Oh, the things mother's go through! So many changes, so fast! I hope I can handle it as well as you have:)
I love your description of how teh rest of church went for you. I am afraid I am in the same boat. I don't want Gracie to grow up and be ready for nursery though. That will be so hard. And yes nursery teachers are angels. Especially in a branch!
I can't believe how fast time flies either. Amazing. I've been having a lot of head problems too about this subject. we chase Jack around for 2 hours complaining how he is So ready for nursery...but take him there and I have all those thoughts...he is not ready...sit on squares eat fruit snacks. I think I ready to start preparing him now...thanks for the push!!
haha! this is so funny! I guess you never know till you're doin it yourself...
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