Southern Hills Church of Christ
Friday, September 10, 2010

Groups - What To Do With Kids

 
We believe that Groups provide places for parents and children to grow spiritually.  Below are four options that we suggest for those with children ages 0-10.


Option 1 (Best)
Parents and children of all ages meet together in a home with 4-6 other families.  Children are a part of the whole Group experience – integrated in the meal, discussion, service project, activities, life, etc.  Donnie will provide two unique tracks to equip this option – activities based on our daily Bible reading and activities based on the prayer study given to group leaders.

Option 2 (Good)
Parents and children of all ages meet together in a home with 4-6 other families.  Children are a part of some of the activities, then excused to another part of the house to play, watch a video, etc.  Parents rotate each meeting to watch the children & coordinate activities.
 
Option 3 (Good)
Parents and children of all ages meet together in a home with 4-6 other families.  Children are dismissed to another part of the house or down the street to a designated house where one set of parents rotate each meeting to coordinate activities for the kids, OR a babysitter is hired to watch over them.  (This can be reimbursed, but some Groups may choose not to.)
 
Option 4 (Not as good)
Couples meet together at church building, while their children are cared for at the church building by babysitters.  (This can be reimbursed, but some Groups may choose not to.)  In order to utilize this option, the following would be required:
  • church office would need to be notified for room availability
  • church nursery would need to be notified as to number & ages of children
 
*Added Note – While our emphasis is on “family-inclusive” groups, we acknowledge there are times parents need to recharge, and there are certain studies that are not “kid-friendly.”  We whole-heartedly endorse the use of our building & childcare options.  Until the end of March, the nursery is available for children under 2, and children’s activities for children age 3 through 4th grade will be planned for existing Groups.