Conference Confession:
General Conference yesterday in our home was a bit on the rowdy side.
I hope that makes some of you breathe a sigh of relief!
Let me just say, I printed out all of the Gen Conf packets, and my kids ripped right through them before the second speaker even came to the pulpit.
They loved doing our traditional General Conference wall...which really helps them to listen and internalize what is being said...but the candy rewards were being doled out a little too generously, and the kids were bouncing off the walls before too long.
Wouldn't you know it, though, as soon as "half-time" came around, our kids were calm and playing quietly...I think they have an internal timer that tells them to get all hyper when General Conference comes on the screen! I honestly do.
Oh well! We have had fun doing it...even if it's been loud...and I could barely make out what the speakers are saying! (Again, I hope someone out there knows this scenario, and I know that you do!)
So, this morning, I'm embarking on General Conference...PLAN B!
First thing we're doing is making General Conference collages. I pulled out all of my Friend and Family Fun magazines, and the kids have been let loose on them with scissors. They are on a mission to find images that remind them of General Conference.
Guy has made a collage that represents the Philadelphia Temple Groundbreaking that we attended last weekend. He has a picture of the planned temple, a piece of wood, and photos of lots of apostles and prophets.
Scarlett has a lot of pictures of food...General Conference must translate into eating for her. She also has ring pops on her page...because she KNOWS that I have a big pack of ring pops upstairs for Halloween.
Hopefully, being more engaged with my kids, instead of simply "shushing" them will improve our Conference-viewing experience. If all else fails...there's always the ring pops!
I think we're going to try this today too :) Great idea!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I'm so glad we were not the only ones with kids bouncing off the walls! That makes me feel better! I'm going to go collect all our magazines right now!
ReplyDeleteWith three kids 4 and under we are in the same boat. Conference time is not quiet, but we are still enjoying it. The collage idea is great. We will have to try it!
ReplyDeleteI remember those days. And I miss them.
ReplyDeleteBut I also enjoy my opportunity now to listen to conference in a quiet room, un-interrupted.
Every season of life is wonderful, isn't it?
=)
The one thing I think I need most in life is to hear other mothers say "It's okay. That happens in my home too!" I love, love, love this, thank you!!! Your collage idea is fabulous, and will be used... often. Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteSo at the risk of being a little irreverent ... I would say that about the time Elder Andersen started talking about family and children, I was thinking about hunting for the duct tape for ... well, you get the idea. It was rowdy and chaotic here, too, but as I've talked with my children, I know they took in some of conference and felt the spirit. Maybe the Holy Ghost's still small voice for them is a bit louder than the one he uses for me? Thanks for sharing, Jocelyn. A great post, as always.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post. And, as I was reading, saw that you went to the Philly groundbreaking! How exciting. I grew up there. (Philadelphia and Valley Forge stakes) And, as luck would have it, only a few months after I moved away, they announced the philly temple. My mom and many friends still lives back there, and I'm so excited for everyone!!!
ReplyDelete-chococatania
Our house was the same way! I've learned that I can't give them the entire packet at once :) They only get a few pages per session... I love the collage idea! I'm tucking that away for next conference!
ReplyDeleteLove the collage idea, very cute.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many great ideas on here! I'm so glad to have found your blog. Thank you!
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