Comments on: New Calling – Ward Nursery http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:54:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Naismith http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67337 Naismith Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:31:01 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67337 "There is also a large contingent of “older” women who’s children are grown, who refuse to serve in nursery because they’ve “put in their time.” Sad, but true." Being a grandmother, I have to say that caring for toddlers can be incredibly stressful on an older body, but that's so embarassing to admit, so who is going to tell the bishop the real reason? There may be issues with one's knees, because it's best to spend a lot of time at the kids' level, reading and playing games, but the getting up and down can be challenging. There may also be problems with incontinence, making it impossible to pick up a child, which can be a useful technique in dealing with kids that age. Not to mention back problems. If I had those problems, I might tell folks that I had "done my time" as well, instead of admitting the grisly truth. “There is also a large contingent of “older” women who’s children are grown, who refuse to serve in nursery because they’ve “put in their time.” Sad, but true.”

Being a grandmother, I have to say that caring for toddlers can be incredibly stressful on an older body, but that’s so embarassing to admit, so who is going to tell the bishop the real reason?

There may be issues with one’s knees, because it’s best to spend a lot of time at the kids’ level, reading and playing games, but the getting up and down can be challenging. There may also be problems with incontinence, making it impossible to pick up a child, which can be a useful technique in dealing with kids that age. Not to mention back problems.

If I had those problems, I might tell folks that I had “done my time” as well, instead of admitting the grisly truth.

]]> By: bfwebser http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67314 bfwebser Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:06:23 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67314 Our oldest son and his wife were worked in their ward nursery for a few years. Our son from time to time took his digital camera in and would snap cute or imaginative pictures of the kids while they were playing. When he had accumulated enough photos, he'd burn them to CDs and give them to the kids' parents. Our son and daughter-in-law loved the calling and were sad when they were released. By the way, the positive attitude that a lot of members have towards the nursery nowadays is quite a contrast from 25-30 years ago. Back then, the nursery was under the Relief Society (at least it was in our ward); service was a bit like cleaning the chapel, that is, you volunteered or were asked to serve on a given Sunday and then (in theory) you wouldn't do it again until most everyone else had. In practice -- at least in our ward -- it was very difficult getting anyone to volunteer. My former wife had for a while (early 80s) the RS calling of finding the nursery workers for each Sunday, and it just about drove her to tears at times -- it wasn't unusual for her to go through the entire ward list (at least, all the active members) and not having anyone say yes. ..bruce.. Our oldest son and his wife were worked in their ward nursery for a few years. Our son from time to time took his digital camera in and would snap cute or imaginative pictures of the kids while they were playing. When he had accumulated enough photos, he’d burn them to CDs and give them to the kids’ parents.

Our son and daughter-in-law loved the calling and were sad when they were released.

By the way, the positive attitude that a lot of members have towards the nursery nowadays is quite a contrast from 25-30 years ago. Back then, the nursery was under the Relief Society (at least it was in our ward); service was a bit like cleaning the chapel, that is, you volunteered or were asked to serve on a given Sunday and then (in theory) you wouldn’t do it again until most everyone else had. In practice — at least in our ward — it was very difficult getting anyone to volunteer. My former wife had for a while (early 80s) the RS calling of finding the nursery workers for each Sunday, and it just about drove her to tears at times — it wasn’t unusual for her to go through the entire ward list (at least, all the active members) and not having anyone say yes. ..bruce..

]]> By: John Mansfield http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67311 John Mansfield Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:34:40 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67311 I'm sure that working in the nursery is pleasant and fun for many, but the way some go on about their desire to serve there seems to mostly be a way of signalling their humility. "I don't need no fancy visible callings. Serving the least of the little lambs is what I want because, you see, I'm a true humble disciple." I’m sure that working in the nursery is pleasant and fun for many, but the way some go on about their desire to serve there seems to mostly be a way of signalling their humility. “I don’t need no fancy visible callings. Serving the least of the little lambs is what I want because, you see, I’m a true humble disciple.”

]]> By: annegb http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67305 annegb Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:09:16 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67305 LOL, Nick, that's what I think is written about me and visiting teaching. LOL, Nick, that’s what I think is written about me and visiting teaching.

]]> By: Nick Literski http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67304 Nick Literski Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:00:11 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67304 When I was married and raising children, there was a little-known footnote in the General Handbook of Instructions. It said something like, "If Nick Literski's wife gets pregnant, the couple must immediately be called to the nursery. Furthermore, if Nick Literski and his wife change wards, they must be immediately be called to the nursery, even if they are caring for a newborn of their own at the time, and just barely escaped from another ward's nursery." The footnote was finally removed in time for the birth of my last daughter. Having been in the position to know such things, I can say that <b>many</b> LDS members actually <b>refuse</b> a calling to the nursery. Sad to say, there are also a few (very few, I'm sure) bishops who use the nursery as some sort of "outer darkness," where they can exile ward members who's participation in Sunday School or quorum meetings raises an eyebrow. All that said, my hat is off to those who gladly, and wholeheartedly, serve in the nursery. Word to those of you who have new-to-nursery children: the nursery leaders would prefer that you <b>not</b> sit by Junior's side for an hour, when he cries that mommy or daddy are leaving him. Go to your class, and he really will survive. He'll almost always stop crying shortly, and get involved with the other kids. When I was married and raising children, there was a little-known footnote in the General Handbook of Instructions. It said something like, “If Nick Literski’s wife gets pregnant, the couple must immediately be called to the nursery. Furthermore, if Nick Literski and his wife change wards, they must be immediately be called to the nursery, even if they are caring for a newborn of their own at the time, and just barely escaped from another ward’s nursery.” The footnote was finally removed in time for the birth of my last daughter.

Having been in the position to know such things, I can say that many LDS members actually refuse a calling to the nursery. Sad to say, there are also a few (very few, I’m sure) bishops who use the nursery as some sort of “outer darkness,” where they can exile ward members who’s participation in Sunday School or quorum meetings raises an eyebrow.

All that said, my hat is off to those who gladly, and wholeheartedly, serve in the nursery. Word to those of you who have new-to-nursery children: the nursery leaders would prefer that you not sit by Junior’s side for an hour, when he cries that mommy or daddy are leaving him. Go to your class, and he really will survive. He’ll almost always stop crying shortly, and get involved with the other kids.

]]> By: claire http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67279 claire Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:33:35 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67279 For me, there's a huge difference between being the nursery leader and a nursery worker or parent volunteer. If the nursery leader isn't 'doing a good job,' (very subjective), being a nursery worker or parent helper can just about drive you crazy. Currently my daughter won't be left in nursery for the first ('second') hour because it is a mad house of 'free play' in which toys are dumped out randomly and the kids fight and trample each other (she just turned 2 and is pretty small for her age). She'd rather go sit on a chair in the sunbeam class and hear their lesson! For the second ('third') hour, she'll stay because the activities are organized and directed (singing time, snack, lesson, craft, story etc). They just called a young grandma type in there who has never served in nursery and hasn't been properly trained/read the manual because she was all about making them share and taking toys away, resulting in constant screaming which of course set off a bunch of the other kids......... arghhhhhhhhhh For me, there’s a huge difference between being the nursery leader and a nursery worker or parent volunteer. If the nursery leader isn’t ‘doing a good job,’ (very subjective), being a nursery worker or parent helper can just about drive you crazy. Currently my daughter won’t be left in nursery for the first (‘second’) hour because it is a mad house of ‘free play’ in which toys are dumped out randomly and the kids fight and trample each other (she just turned 2 and is pretty small for her age). She’d rather go sit on a chair in the sunbeam class and hear their lesson! For the second (‘third’) hour, she’ll stay because the activities are organized and directed (singing time, snack, lesson, craft, story etc).

They just called a young grandma type in there who has never served in nursery and hasn’t been properly trained/read the manual because she was all about making them share and taking toys away, resulting in constant screaming which of course set off a bunch of the other kids……… arghhhhhhhhhh

]]> By: danithew http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67278 danithew Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:24:56 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67278 Naisy, I appreciate those two points. Both sound pretty real and practical to me. I'll divide 2 hours into 3 minute installments and take it from there. I'm kind of kidding ... but still, I get your point. Naisy, I appreciate those two points. Both sound pretty real and practical to me.

I’ll divide 2 hours into 3 minute installments and take it from there. I’m kind of kidding … but still, I get your point.

]]> By: annegb http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67275 annegb Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:12:44 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67275 Yup, bubbles rock. We also fed them constantly. I think three minutes is too long, actually. The first time I was in nursery, I was the oh, what's the word, "low" companion to the other lady who was quite anal. She did all the work and I cuddled the kids which worked for both of us. But she would read to them and she would insist on reading every single word in the book. More often than not, she ended up alone for the last 2 minutes of that three minutes, even I got bored and left. Yup, bubbles rock. We also fed them constantly.

I think three minutes is too long, actually.

The first time I was in nursery, I was the oh, what’s the word, “low” companion to the other lady who was quite anal.

She did all the work and I cuddled the kids which worked for both of us. But she would read to them and she would insist on reading every single word in the book. More often than not, she ended up alone for the last 2 minutes of that three minutes, even I got bored and left.

]]> By: Naisy http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67264 Naisy Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:42:26 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67264 The two most important things I learned about nursery: 1. Most children's tolerance of each activity in the lesson is as many minutes as they are old. For example, a three year old will give you about three minutes of attention during a story. 2. Bubbles. Especially at the end when the toys are put away and you are waiting for parents. The two most important things I learned about nursery:

1. Most children’s tolerance of each activity in the lesson is as many minutes as they are old. For example, a three year old will give you about three minutes of attention during a story.

2. Bubbles. Especially at the end when the toys are put away and you are waiting for parents.

]]> By: annegb http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm/comment-page-1#comment-67240 annegb Wed, 31 Oct 2007 03:20:55 +0000 http://www.mormonmentality.org/2007/10/30/new-calling-ward-nursery.htm#comment-67240 18 months to 3 years, although they don't move up to Sunbeams until the first of the coming year. Wouldn't we all love to have a pediatrician taking care of our kids in the nursery? But I can see trouble because (were it me) people would be asking for all kinds of free medical advice. #18 & 19, amen. Good comments. I loved the nursery, I was in twice. But, boy, those little bodies do wear one out. When I would have Bill come and help me, the kids just loved it. They'd crawl all over him. It's really a lovely calling. Unless you're a young mother with 4 kids under 6. I just don't think that's fair. I think it's entirely fair for an older woman to help her get a break. 18 months to 3 years, although they don’t move up to Sunbeams until the first of the coming year.

Wouldn’t we all love to have a pediatrician taking care of our kids in the nursery? But I can see trouble because (were it me) people would be asking for all kinds of free medical advice.

#18 & 19, amen. Good comments.

I loved the nursery, I was in twice. But, boy, those little bodies do wear one out. When I would have Bill come and help me, the kids just loved it. They’d crawl all over him.

It’s really a lovely calling. Unless you’re a young mother with 4 kids under 6. I just don’t think that’s fair. I think it’s entirely fair for an older woman to help her get a break.

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