Monday, March 23, 2009
My Sunday Bag
I’ve always been very particular about what goes into my Sunday bag. The contents change every so often to keep things new and exciting. The kids are only allowed to play with these things at church so they remain special. I’ve also tried to keep everything church-related. I’ve listed the main items in my bag below (and have probably forgotten a few), but hope it will be helpful to any of you packing your own special Sunday bag :o)
I’ve changed bags a lot over the years, but my favorite for the past few years has been this orange and blue fabric tool bag I bought at Walmart in the tool section. I like that the top edges have thick wire in them, which keeps it open. I liked that way better than floppy bags I used before. It also has lots of space and many pockets inside.
1. My #1 favorite item that I bring every Sunday is my Sacrament Quiet Book. I came up with this idea 5 years ago. I made a version then, and then improved it a year later (2005). My motive was to help little children understand the ordinance of the Sacrament and to help them think about what it means while keeping quiet during church. They aren’t perfect, but will hopefully be helpful enough to those of you who are interested in making your own. In return, please leave a comment to let me know you downloaded it so I’ll know who’s using it. Thanks!
2. I also made a Bible Stories Quiet Book in 2002, which is a lot more time-intensive. It has always been a huge favorite of the kids, though, so that time was well worth it! (I made a missionary quiet book and bought a Book of Mormon quiet book, but they are a little less popular.)
3. Deseret Book loves me! I’m a sucker for Sunday books. The “I’m Reverent When...” and “I Am a Child of God” books are fun because they have flaps, pull tabs, and turning wheels for more excitement. I have an assortment of little books that I switch out of my bag often.
4. Coil-bound picture books. I bought as many small “Mormonad” cards as the Church Distribution center stocks. I coil-bound them and they’re fun to look through. I also bought a pack or two of temple pictures (and coil-bound them), which the kids love flipping through.
5. Scripture action figures. I started buying these for the boys, but the girls like them, too. I found them at Deseret Book.
6. Family pictures. I have a few little photo books with pictures of cousins, grandparents, and our family. The kids love looking through these.
7. I-Spy bag. This is the only non-religious item in my bag, but it’s a magic one when the kids are bored of the other things. My sister made this one, and I like it way better than the kind you can buy at Deseret Book.
Other thoughts:
So far I’ve never brought crayons or the like for my kids to draw with. I just personally don’t like it, though I know it works for a lot of people.
We try really hard to feed our kids a good breakfast before church so they don’t have to eat in the chapel. There have been many times (mainly when we’ve had early church) when we had to resort to Cheerios and water. A hungry child isn’t easily appeased! But we really don’t like bringing snacks if we can help it since church is a place to worship, not eat. I like using the other materials in my bag as distractions or entertainment rather than food if I can.
I’d love to know about any religious materials you’ve thought of to add to a Sunday bag or strategies you have for keeping your children paying attention in church.
P.S. I’m studying “Mothers Who Know Honor Sacred Ordinances and Covenants” this week.
8. Sunday Binders. The girls and I made these 2 years ago. I bought them each a pastel binder (with the plastic on the outside for slipping in pictures). After we’re through with The Friend magazines, I slice off the binding, and keep them in plastic sheet protectors in binders. The girls sorted through them and picked out their favorite stories, pictures, and poems, and added them to their binders. It’s easy to switch out the pages and covers.
To keep my bag from getting to heavy, I had the girls bring their own bags to church when they brought these binders. Now that the girls are older, these have stayed home in our Sunday bin. But for a while, these were a great help in the meeting.
