Attending church is a family event, as it should be. Everyone should know the value of believing in a higher power and living by a moral code. However, not all places and services are ideal for all age groups within the church. This means that many churches have special areas set aside for children and infants who may not be able to sit through actual services. It is a good idea and it frees up the parents to truly listen without worry about their children, but it does also mean that churches must put extra effort into baby safety at mass.
The Safety of Children
In order for parents to relax while they are in church, they must be able to truly listen to what the pastor is saying. This also means that kids must be in a place where they cannot interrupt or get into trouble. They should also be in a place where they can play and learn a little about the reason for attending churches and sermons.
How to Keep Kids Safe
Churches must keep the same things in mind that parents do when they think about safety for toddlers, infants, and children. This includes keeping electrical outlets hidden or plugged with safety plugs, keeping cleaners out of their reach, and more. They need child safe toys that are age appropriate for the kids that are in their care and enough caregivers to keep up with all the children that are there on Sundays. This means avoiding dolls and stuffed bears without pieces that can come off in small children’s mouths and maybe even separating older children from infants and toddlers.
However, since many churches are divided into different areas, they may also need to take it one step further by installing a hardware mounted baby gate for stairs in areas that children do not need to venture into. For instance, the kitchen area, areas that are accessible by stairs, and even bathrooms. By having them divided into spaces that are blocked, there is less risk of a curious toddler wandering away while one of the nannies is distracted by teaching other kids or playing with them.
Sunday Fun
Churches are a place of learning, believing, and rejoicing for parents. They are designed to help people understand the word of God, Jehovah, or other “higher beings” that you may believe the words of. No one can enjoy it if they feel that their kids are not safe there. They will not be able to relax and hear the spoken words if their baby is fussing in the pews. This is why kids need their own special space.
It can be fun and a place of learning and rejoicing for children of all ages as well. It does take effort, but in the end it will be worth it since parents and kids can all do it without worry. Do you feel your children are safe in your church’s nursery?