I learned in church today

[Jeff Lebowski]

I am with DDD. I would be happy never being a primary teacher again.

[San Juan Sun]

When we moved into our current ward, my wife and I were called into Primary to teach the 8 year olds. I was specifically called (the bishopric told me at the get go) to help wrangle a rambunctious kid with Downs Syndrome. My preferred method of control was to give him an iPad, but after a few months that got nixed. I was later asked to restrain him and have him sit on my lap in meetings, which I told them I didn't feel comfortable doing. I was released a few weeks later.

[TexTechCoug]

I was later asked to restrain him and have him sit on my lap in meetings, which I told them I didn't feel comfortable doing. I was released a few weeks later.

Being called to restrain a child for an hour or two every Sunday seems inappropriate to me on several levels. From your perspective it is unreasonable to expect someone to attend church on a weekly basis in order to do something as miserable as physically securing a child for extended periods.

Second, a handicapped child that isn't really capable of sitting still should not be forcibly restrained during primary meetings. I can only imagine how unpleasant being restrained for an hour. It is torture and I would soon hate church more than anything on Earth.

I don't know what combination of primary leadership and parenting this came from, but it certainly qualifies as crazy.

[thesaint258]

I was recently called as a primary teacher. I expressed some concerns, but said that if that's where they needed help, I'd be willing to accept the calling. The second counselor said that he'd get back to me. When I followed up later, the counselor said that they were considering alternatives for me. For now, I feel like I dodged a bullet, but hopefully there isn't a worse calling in the works (scouts).

[TripletDaddy]

That's fair. While I really enjoy the primary, I can understand why some people wouldn't like it. Having said that, if we want to continue this discussion, I think it would be more apporopriate to do so in the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" thread.

Completely agree!

[TripletDaddy]

I love primary. Class time is great. Singing/sharing time is a complete drag but still better than EQ.

The talks in Pri are pretty lousy but at least they are over in about 45 seconds. The lessons in EQ are pretty lousy but drag on for 45 minutes. I rarely go to EQ, maybe once every 5 or 6 months. I have found that third hour is best spent in the halls or the foyer. Usually some good football/sports talk, plenty of water to drink, an occasional hot mom may walk by showing some cleave, good wifi reception.

[San Juan Sun]

Second, a handicapped child that isn't really capable of sitting still should not be forcibly restrained during primary meetings. I can only imagine how unpleasant being restrained for an hour. It is torture and I would soon hate church more than anything on Earth.

The kid is pretty high functioning. In fact, we were told that he uses his Downs to get away with things that other kids can't. I don't know how true it was, but there is no question that he was high functioning. He really liked the iPad, too.

In the end, it was just really uncomfortable for me to hold a kid on my lap for 2 hours. It also didn't help that the PriPresidency didn't ever talk to us about the kid, his situation, etc. I guess they just assumed the bishopric would do it.

Now I go to gospel doctrine and hang out. And I go to EQ, where I'm suddenly one of the older guys. That happened fast. I do enjoy listening to the 18 year old elders wax philosophical about marriage/children issues.

[Pheidippides]

Now I go to gospel doctrine and hang out. And I go to EQ, where I'm suddenly one of the older guys. That happened fast. I do enjoy listening to the 18 year old elders wax philosophical about marriage/children issues.

This never gets old. Last time I went to priesthood our resident fresh returned missionary virgin saw fit to pontificate at length on the proper place and mode of sex among married persons. I had to really focus on my ipad to keep from chortling audibly.

[Jeff Lebowski]

This never gets old. Last time I went to priesthood our resident fresh returned missionary virgin saw fit to pontificate at length on the proper place and mode of sex among married persons. I had to really focus on my ipad to keep from chortling audibly.

I remember in EQ once hearing a guy carry on about how it is a sin to lust after your wife.

[Clark Addison]

I remember in EQ once hearing a guy carry on about how it is a sin to lust after your wife.

By the time they get to HP quorum a lot of guys have overcome this one.

[clackamascoug]

I love primary. Class time is great. Singing/sharing time is a complete drag but still better than EQ.

This is correct. Teaching is fun and good for the kids. Sitting there with the class in sharing time is a huge drag. When my friend was the Pres, I would get up and leave for about 20 minutes and come back before the prayer.

If someone tried to forcibly restrain my DS daughter at church, I'd end up tazed and in cuffs.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

Reading scriptures at breakfast is ridiculous.

[TripletDaddy]

Reading scriptures at breakfast is ridiculous.

Agreed.

we had chorizo, egg, and bean burritos for breakfast. Scriptures would have ruined it.

[FN Phat]

Reading scriptures at breakfast is ridiculous.

Who does that? Well, I can see LAUte doing that.

[FN Phat]

Herding cats is much easier than setting up the primary kids to practice for the Primary Program next Sunday