Reining In Children

teenyuck

Now I know what "reining in children" means....I thought it referred to getting them to listen....no, according to the Just JW page, it refers to putting them in reins during field service.

General : Field Ministry (with children)
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From: kanga1974 (Original Message) Sent: 03/05/2002 17:14
Hi

Anyone have any good tips on keeping a three year old entertained on the ministry other than making sure he has something in his mouth continually as we go round from door to door? Fortunately he loves his buggy so I can still strap him in which is a good thing cos I know he will be exactly where I left him. He does enjoy going out and I have started going out Saturdays now so that my daughter from school has a share in the ministry as well as it is such an important part of our work to Jehovah. But the problem is my son! I try to make sure I have enough biscuits etc to keep him from playing up, but once they have all gone he starts. He likes to ring the bells so I allow him to do this.

Any tips and ideas I would love to hear, or have you somehow battled through this problem and come out the other end? I should think every parent has been there. I never had this situation with my daughter but my son is so active that I think this is why I have this problem.

Christian Love
Becky
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From: Jane Sent: 04/05/2002 09:51
Hi Becky; one thing that worked well with my very active son was firstly to put him on reins instead of the buggy; secondly, to keep each visit to a household short, and to let your son present the householder with a tract. We always used to practice for a little while before we went out. He rang the bell, I spoke to the householder and introduced the tract, Joel held it out for the householder, we mentioned we would call back, maybe leave the householder with a question if your son is still behaving well() and leave. (It would be good to practice a householder refusing the tract too, so your child is not devastated by a refusal)
This was my basis for training my son in the ministry and he loved it, and was soon progressing to his own short presentations.
I wish you Jehovahs blessing in training your children, I know how hard it can be so my prayers are with you,
warm christian love
Jane

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From: kanga1974 Sent: 04/05/2002 13:42
Thank you Jane, that's an excellent idea. I have been trying to keep him in the buggy so I knew where he was, but as I found out when I went out today, he now wants to start ringing the bells so he is in and out of his buggy anyway. Didn't think of reins. Will try that one on Wednesday! Thank you!

ChiChiMama

I guess they want to make little ponys out of those poor kids.

ChiChi

lydia

How horrible - but I remember others discussing this ...and how much of a burden this was.. Yuck!!!!

Lyd

I remember going door to door as a little girl.
They would send me to the door with a scripture memorized. After quoting it, the brother would push me aside and begin his heavy indoctrinating. I felt like they just used me to get into peoples homes. Im sure that poor person had no idea what they were in for, they probably thought I was a girl scout for God sakes.

That really bugs me how the woman said, "the problem is my son".
What a terrible thing to say about her own child.
I think we all know what the real problem is.

BeautifulGarbage

Put on reins? Does she mean a harness???

Yeah, kanga, put a harness on the little one. Hey, maybe you can wrap the strap connected to it around your arse and have him PULL you around in service!

Shaking head,

Andee

Kep

Aaargghhh!!
I remember seeing kids in town with those things on and feeling so sorry for them.
Now that I have an almost 2yr old typhoon I can understand the desperate measures some people will go to.
For me, I will never put any of my kids in them. Even the dog hates the leash let alone my babies.
If it was me out in service with a kid like that I would only spend an hour and then take the kid home, then as they say they go out on a Saturday as well, do another hour.
So glad I don't have to worry about that now.
Altho, it's wintering up down here and I know my baby will be wanting to tear around the rugby field as we watch her uncle play.
Bugger, looks like I'm only gonna see 1/2 a game !!
Kep

Princess

They must not be from the states, calling them reins. Around here, putting your kid on a leash is not looked at too kindly. I wonder what the homeowners will think of a three year old with reins.

Giddy-up

Rachel

LDH

he loves his buggy so I can still strap him in which is a good thing cos I know he will be exactly where I left him.

WTF????

You leave a three year old unattended?!?!?

Lisa
Incredulous Class

Mulan

Hey Princess, when your eldest brother was 2, I used a harness on him at the District Convention. He would take off running, without it, and it kept me sane. As long as that was on him, he stayed put, and didn't even struggle. Maybe it made him more secure. I figure, if they sell them, they must be useful to someone. He was the only one I used it on though. They were more common back in the 60's although I've seen them again, lately.

Marilyn (aka Mulan)
"No one can take advantage of you, without your permission." Ann Landers

concerned mama

Mulan, I know what you mean. I had a leash for my son when he was about 2 as he would take off in the department stores and have a great time hiding, then get upset when he was lost. He was a VERY active, busy child who didn't want to hold my hand. It was a SAFETY issue, and something I needed till he understood about staying in sight. He prefered the leash to having to hold my hand, or sit on the counter while I paid for merchandise.
He is now a second year university student and still a wonderful, busy young man, who hates sitting still.