Recently my family served in our church’s nursery. A weary mom dropped her two young children off in their appropriate classrooms on the nursery hall and then made her way to the worship service, with a baby on her hip.
I remember those days well.
If ever there’s a population who needs the rest, perspective, and renewal that their faith community provides, surely it’s the parents of young children.
Yet many churches are struggling to keep their nurseries staffed and provide the necessary childcare for summer programs like VBS. Parents with young children, the ones who most need the break, are often the ones regularly giving and serving.
Though life moves at an ever-quickening pace and all of us, regardless of our kids’ ages, need that Saturday or Sunday service to slow down and still our hearts, this is especially crucial for those who are in the physically-demanding season of raising young children.
Children who are 100% needy unless they’re sleeping.
Children who are in diapers and potty-training and spilling juice on the floor and throwing temper tantrums.
Children who aren’t fully aware of risks so they’re prone to jumping off a too-high playground platform and darting across parking lots.
Children who take off their diapers while hanging out in their crib, who eat sand from the sandbox, and drink from whatever fermented sippy cup might be under the back seat of the minivan.
I need a nap just thinking about that exhausting season of parenting.
They are sweet and fleeting years, to be sure, but the days themselves are long and demanding.
Did you ever consider that everyday opportunities in your faith community could be part of abuse prevention?
Parents in this season of life desperately need the respite we can provide simply by regular volunteering in the nursery or serving in VBS.
They need the steady encouragement we can offer as we take the time to notice their needs, offer to keep their kids so they can go grab coffee, or even provide a date night.
Strong families build strong communities. And strong communities are better equipped with the resources and care that fill in the gaps.
Imagine the families grappling with the stress of young children and financial strain, young children and family discord, young children and mental illness, young children and special needs. Perhaps you’ve been there and if so, you’re especially sensitive to those burdens.
As I reflect back on my own years as a mom to little ones, my faith community was invaluable with nursery care, encouragement, and support, particularly in times of crisis. I’ve no doubt the cumulative care of my little ones kept me stable, especially during times of stress and hardship. Now that our family is in a different season, it’s a privilege to be able to serve the families of young children and know that it really does make a difference.
Consider your involvement with the parents of young children as prevention, as compassion, as kindness and service, and not just duty. Your faith community provides opportunity right where you are to lighten the burdens of parents with young children, equipping them with rest and renewal to keep going.
Prevent Child Abuse America reminds us of this:
Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the isolation and stress that often needs to abuse and neglect.
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We’ll have one more post in this series that’s all about the everyday actions we can all take toward child abuse prevention. Here are the other posts in the series:
“Everyday Ways You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse” Blog Series
What Can I Possibly Do to Prevent Child Abuse?
How Taking a Meal to New Mom Helps Prevent Child Abuse
How Your Everyday Generosity Helps Prevent Child Abuse
Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to our blog where we regularly offer everyday ways to nurture the young children in our lives. If you’re reading from a computer, subscribe in the blue box in the right sidebar. If you’re on a mobile device, subscribe in the blue box at the bottom of this post.
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To learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month:
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Children’s Trust of South Carolina
