Mommy Snark

So cute! i would love to win this so I could get o...

2012-06-02T18:57:19.502-04:00

So cute! i would love to win this so I could get one made of my Becca Boo :)
Thanks!
katielovesdeals@yahoo.com

Oh, I have been planning to this. Your kiddos are...

2012-06-01T16:33:07.440-04:00

Oh, I have been planning to this. Your kiddos are adorable.

Ugh, I think I had that same perm in 2nd grade. I...

2012-06-01T16:29:16.333-04:00

Ugh, I think I had that same perm in 2nd grade. I'll have to remember that for my girls in a few more years. Was 1999 really that bad? Yikes.

Such fun pictures! And 2nd grade was bad for me to...

2012-06-01T14:25:25.654-04:00

Such fun pictures! And 2nd grade was bad for me too- bad pigtails, and really bad teeth.

I'd love this for one of our wedding pictures!...

2012-05-31T14:23:37.873-04:00

I'd love this for one of our wedding pictures!
lovefool827 (at) yahoo (dotcom)

Would love a family canvas print.

2012-05-31T01:41:13.996-04:00

Would love a family canvas print.

Would love a canvas to put up on the wall. Don...

2012-05-30T13:43:15.880-04:00

Would love a canvas to put up on the wall. Don't know which picture I would choose.... would probably have to buy more to make a whole collage or something!

Ashlie
ashblog (at) hotmail.com

I love the canvas pictures...they look amazing han...

2012-05-29T16:23:45.742-04:00

I love the canvas pictures...they look amazing hanging on the wall. Our wedding is in 3 weeks and this would be great to put some of our newlywed pictures in! :)

We had a canvas made of one of our wedding pictur...

2012-05-29T13:55:24.943-04:00

We had a canvas made of one of our wedding pictures and I love it. I've always wanted to get more; it just hasn't happened yet.

Wow you have tiny branch! Our ward has over 140 pr...

2012-05-28T10:38:57.722-04:00

Wow you have tiny branch! Our ward has over 140 primary and nursery children. Usually half of the men in the ward are deployed. So most of the women are used to wrangling their children by themselves. Not that it's easy or fun. Not that there aren't Sundays where you wonder if it's even worth to attend church.

Have you ever heard the saying, "hanging all my unhappiness on someone else"? Because it sounds like that OLD woman is unhappy and she's taking it out on you. Sorry that you had to encounter that.

pretty much super cute.

2012-05-26T03:35:01.734-04:00

pretty much super cute.

They are adorable!

2012-05-25T11:21:08.848-04:00

They are adorable!

I to have 6 kids and most weeks I wonder why I eve...

2012-05-24T21:10:57.549-04:00

I to have 6 kids and most weeks I wonder why I even bother. Luckily no ones been so "bold"/(down right rude) to me but that's probably because I try to avoid eye contact at all cost so I don't see the inevitable annoyed looks. It's definitely a challenge but I know we'll all benefit in the end and if my mom could take the six kids in my family every week by herself and play the organ as well then I have no room to complain. You're a better woman then me because I probably would have let that lady have it. You're amazing and inspiring and don't give up the battle each Sunday you'll win in the end:-)

Having completely raised my children, and having g...

2012-05-24T10:20:22.947-04:00

Having completely raised my children, and having grown-up in a different religious atmosphere than I am currently in (Mormon); I have seen how both sides of the discussion has affected children.
My children were raised in the Mormon church, I was raised in a sort of religious home, where I was taken to church as much or not as my parents decided. I was as active in activities as my parents could get me to them, but I was never pressured as to my belief choices. I have cousins though who were raised in a bi-religious home and they were not taught any religion. They have beliefs, but they are not active an any religion.
Our choices do affect and teach our children. My choices has affected the choices my children have made. I can see it, even though they can't. I also have seen how the action and choices have affected my cousin's actions and choices.
Children are sponges. They see Mommy and Daddy doing something, they want to do it too. They hear something that Mommy or Daddy say, they want to believe that they are absolutely right.
Religion is taught by what we do or don't do as our children grow up. Children learn from our words, actions and examples. Faith comes when children find for themselves their beliefs and personal testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We affect them though, and their choices are made partially by our example and what they have heard us say as parents. Forming their own opinions and making their choices as to belief, they are definitely influenced by their childhood experiences.
Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
We are the products of our parents' examples and teachings. We do make our choices, we do have our agency, but, we learned at our parents' knees.
Say no to those who ask with their sincerity, but ask them too with sincerity to leave you and your family to please worship how you wish to worship.

Amen, Sister! I had a friend in college that said...

2012-05-23T23:42:04.876-04:00

Amen, Sister! I had a friend in college that said her parents chose not to practice either of their religions while she was growing up so that she could make her own choice. Based on what??? We need to teach and encourage our children in our family, and learn to have constructive discourse with people of other faiths. No blaming, or saving, when they are kids. Innocent love of God.

I tried to read the article with an open mind even...

2012-05-23T14:47:43.462-04:00

I tried to read the article with an open mind even knowing your take on it, and I do agree with you. One thing I noticed is the fact that the author did say she is open to letting her child choose their own way without pressure. I have to beg to differ....when we raise our kids...we raise them in our belief system. I want to raise my children in my own faith and hope that they follow because it is how I believe they can truly be the happiest. I think all parents do the same even if they try not to. It is impossible to not exert your personal beliefs on your children. It's how we live...what we do...what we teach either by example or words. In fact, saying that your children should not have religions recommended to them by others is again, giving that personal belief to them because you are saying that everyone else is wrong and they are wrong to do that.

That said, if someone invites my kid to their church,I am not offended and I teach my kids not to be. When my daughter was about 7 she told me that all of her friends don't believe in God. I wanted to go into a huge preachy session because I wanted to protect her and hope that she had learned all I wanted her to in those short 7 years...but instead...I told her that it was okay for them believe whatever they wanted or what they were taught and that we love everyone the same. I said, "well, what do YOU believe?" and she had the opportunity to ponder that for herself. I really do think that is how it should be done--that we admit that we DO raise our children to believe what we do--and honestly hope that they choose that path...and yet, love them regardless.

Gosh this is a long comment...but to wrap it up... as the article recommends...telling people to leave your kids alone because you don't believe what they do is showing your children that they don't have the ability to stand on their own. It's life. It's human nature to want to share what you believe. You have the choice to accept it or not. And as we teach our children what we believe regarding religion, teach them that what others believe is okay, too.

I checked facebook right before class and I saw th...

2012-05-23T14:15:29.782-04:00

I checked facebook right before class and I saw the title of your post and could not wait to read it! I had your mom for a seminary teacher and I can imagine that you have high respect for others. I didn't take the time to read the article (because why read something that is just going to make me mad- your response/summary is sufficient) but I think it is interesting some take the view that teaching children "religion" is indoctrinating them yet teaching them "nothing" isn't. Aren't both indoctrinations, just of different things? I wonder how tolerant children are who are raised with parents who will not teach them "religion" but who also criticize those who do.

Very interesting take. I kind of felt judged by t...

2012-05-23T13:30:46.844-04:00

Very interesting take. I kind of felt judged by the original author while she was complaining about being judged...

I completely believe that Religion is for Children. As a general rule, societies have always been looking for explanations. That is the basis on why many religions were started. People had questions. Who is more curious than a child? Others struggled a lot to find their answers, and if I feel I have answers, I WILL share them with my kids. I do believe we need to teach a lot of tolerance and compassion. However, I would never deny the answers that I have to my children. To me that is part of teaching. That is part of parenting.

People can teach what they believe, but if I can't disrespect you for teaching your children the religion of nature and museums, then please don't disrespect me for teaching my faith.

Huh... I didn't realize I was so passionate about this. :-)

When my husband was in a bishopric for the first t...

2012-05-23T11:26:27.432-04:00

When my husband was in a bishopric for the first time, it was crazy. We had four kids ages 5 to 6 months. Boy! We were we a sight when the baby needed to nurse. I would walk out the chapel followed by my little entourage. Luckily, I one of the very kind teenage girls noticed what was going on after a few weeks and she offered to sit with me (with her parents permission). She was a lifesaver! Even after the baby was no longer nursing, she still sat with us and helped me with bathroom trips and drinking fountain needs.
A few years later, my husband was the bishop of our new ward. During that time we added child #5 and #6 to the game. We were in a ward with a lot of young kids so the noise and the occasional flying toy didn't phase many people. Everyone always smiled and laughed when my little guys would yell out "hi dad!" or stand up and wave to him on the stand.
My only suggestion is hang in there! I was always grateful when we made it through sacrament alive. You are doing a wonderful job by just getting your children to church. You are a great example to them!
My kids are now ages 16 to 3 and somehow we manage to stay in the chapel. I can't always hear the speaker, but at least we're in the chapel. :)

I am of two minds about this. I do think religion...

2012-05-23T10:04:52.759-04:00

I am of two minds about this. I do think religion is for children so the title annoys me. However, I can find it annoying for people to invite my children to their churches especially when they don't seem to be able to take No. My older son is only 6 - I am not letting him get on a bus to go to a church that I have been to and met with the people. I was raised in one religion, currently believe the tenants of another, and am not happy with the religion that keeps inviting my so to go. I believe there is one God for all of us, but that we all don't have to worship in the same way. I'm signing this anonymous because I don't want to get into a comment or email fight with anyone over it.

I'm sorry, my friend! I wish I could have bee...

2012-05-22T21:40:30.427-04:00

I'm sorry, my friend! I wish I could have been there beside you. She was totally in the wrong, but most older people feel that their age gives them the right to be rude. Obviously, that's a false outlook, but that's their game. My 94 year old grandmother often believes her rudeness is instruction to us younger folk. I'm glad you didn't lash out at her because you probably would have felt badly for it because you have a kind heart. I think you and your children are a blessing. Ivy's "volume" may have been a hinderance to this lady, but I'm sure it gives as much if not more joy to every other member of your congregation to hear her sweet giggles.

I have three kids 4 and under and when my youngest...

2012-05-22T13:23:31.805-04:00

I have three kids 4 and under and when my youngest was 4 months old my husband was called to be the Sacrament Music Director and Ward Chorister. I freaked. I'm glad he is talented and try to support him in his calling, but as much as I love my kids I am terrified to be left sitting alone with them in sacrament meeting. So many people volunteered to look after me as soon as they found out as they know how rambunctious my children can be (my kids try to crawl under the rows to escape). We've worked out a plan that I get to church early enough that I can get a row where one friend sits with her family in front of me and another friend sits behind me. That way, if a child tries to escape under or around a bench they are covered. Then if I have to take my 2 year old needs to be taken out I can hand the baby to the friend in front and her daughter (who is my babysitter) will come sit with my 4 year old. Or if the kids start getting too loud my friend in back leans over the bench and starts distracting the kids as needed. If it weren't for the support of my ward, I honestly wouldn't make it to church even though I know how important it is.

I'm sorry that you had the experience that you did and I totally would have reacted the same. Though, after the fact would probably suggest (if the sister ever returned) that her and her husband sit with your family. That way, they can sit up front and have an easier time hearing the talks and maybe, in turn, help distract your daughter if needed.

Kids can only learn to be reverent if they are the...

2012-05-21T17:33:48.876-04:00

Kids can only learn to be reverent if they are there to learn it. Everything we do in church is centered around families. I can't count how many times I have been embarrassed by my children making noise or talking out loud (Addie has no volume control) but I know that I am doing the right thing by having my children there, whether it is an annoyance to others or not. The Savior did say "Suffer the little children to come unto me."
I do understand the lady's plight, but the spirit is what teaches not the speaker. If she had decided to focus on the spirit instead of your children, I am sure she and her husband could have come away with something more than noisy children.
Keep hanging in there Jenny. You are doing amazing work!

Oh my, what bad timing on that lady's part! I...

2012-05-21T13:35:23.268-04:00

Oh my, what bad timing on that lady's part! I'm amazed you held it together long enough to make it to the mother's room (HUGS).

I agree, Sacrament meeting is hard with lots of little ones (my seven kiddos are 10, 7, 6, 4, 3, 1, and 4 months old). There have been many months when I don't feel a bit of the Spirit while trying to encourage reverence among the ranks. However, like you, I persist because I know that what we do now matters. These weekly forays into the chapel are adventures, to say the least.

I wish I could say that I was astounded at that wo...

2012-05-21T12:56:18.013-04:00

I wish I could say that I was astounded at that woman's behavior, but sadly I'm not. The fact that you an even utter some kind and understanding words about her even now amaze me. I'm seething for you.

When I was alone with my 3 young boys at church, I had to divide and conquer. Corbin and Luke are only 18 months apart and Splenda was working and inactive. So Corbin went to the right side of the chapel with the young men attending the doors. Luke went to the others. The boys would keep them occupied with drawing or playing a word game.
The young men loved it! It kept them awake and even though they were playing quietly with my sons, they still "addicentally" heard some of the talks.

My boys loved it because they felt big and important. And funny thing, when they turned 14 and had "door duty" they were the first ones to look around and find a small one that needed some attention. Usually a crook of a finger and a whispered "come here" is all that it took and then another mom or set of frazzled parents would get a break.

Sheesh, we are all in this together!