Testimonies

Testimonies, Tips and Tidbits Children's Capers Beeline to the Bathroom

by Robin Ulbredtch
04/01/17
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Children’s Capers

Beeline to the Bathroom

One day, in Children’s Church, one of my young helpers asked me if she could take one of the three-year-old girls to the bathroom. I told her it would be fine. But before the two girls made their way to the door, two other girls asked my helper if they could go too. The next thing I knew, my 10-year old helper headed to the door with three young girls, including the one who had permission. I saw what was happening and stopped the beeline to the bathroom because I didn’t know if the ten-year-old girl could handle three preschoolers by herself.

Since I was almost finished with the Bible story for the day, I finished it. Meanwhile, the first three-year-old began throwing a terrific temper tantrum because I didn’t let her go to the bathroom right away. I wanted to address the situation before class first. I told the little girl I would let her go in a minute. Then I explained that only one student was allowed to go to the bathroom at a time. After that child returned, I would let the next one go with the helper. Then I released the helper and the first girl to go to the restroom.

As the two girls were returning to class, the three-year-old girl’s parents showed up, and she began throwing her temper tantrum again. I explained what had transpired to the parents and they seemed to understand.

From this incident I learned that class procedures and rules need to be established even before the first class begins. This whole incident may have been avoided if I had established rules before class. From that moment on I explained the class rules and told my helpers to watch out for the beeline to the bathroom. I also established a regular bathroom run so that I knew the students had an opportunity to go, and would not be able to disrupt class with another beeline to the bathroom.