JUST YOUR RUN-OF-THE-MILL CUTE KID POST

It's OK if you feel like rolling your eyes while reading this post. I would if I were you.


A few weeks ago our little family was the main act during our Sacrament Meeting at church.
Which, if you are not LDS...speaking in Sacrament Meeting is the anxiety equivalent of...
getting a root canal...
while on a blind date...
in front of a large audience...
while discussing your bank account...
without pants on...
               It's that bad.

We made it through. After it was all over and I was breathing a sigh of relief,
a lot of people asked me how I got Kal and Quincy to stand up and give their talks all by themselves.

OK, not A LOT of people...
like only one or two...
but in Blog World, that's at least worth thirty or forty people.

Well, I don't like to stand up and help my kids give their primary talks by whispering in their ear.
I feel like all the eyes are on me and everyone is thinking...
          'wow, she really should've wore a slip under that dress."

So I was determined to have my littlest ones do it by themselves.


The day or two before the big meeting, I quickly wrote down Kal and Quincy's talks on some construction paper, and then we drew pictures next to words to help them remember what to say.

Even though Kal can't read yet, he knew that a drawing of a little church and a heart meant to say; '...She loves to go to Church...'


and even though he can't read yet, a picture of a stop sign means to end by saying...
 "in the name of Jesus Christ amen...'


The kids walked around with their papers and practiced them several times as we went about our business.
It was time for me to employ reverse psychology.
For instance; I said casually as we were driving around...

'Kal, I better stand up and help you with your talk...I think you are too little to stand up by yourself...
well, unless you think you can do it all by yourself...?"

Or

"Oh man, I can't wait to do my talk tomorrow...I love to stand up at the microphone and see everyone looking at me...it's so much fun!"

And then when the moment of truth comes, act as if it is a normal everyday occurance to be standing up in front of so many people. Give them a 'go get em tiger' nudge and whatever you do, don't make eye contact, or give them a "you can do it" smile.
They are only small children, but they can smell fear.

So by the time Sunday came around, Kal and Quincy and the rest of them were so excited, I had to humble them a little, they were almost getting too cheeky.
And it worked on Dean too, he whispered on the stand "I don't need your help either."
I really didn't even bribe them. Sometimes I think bribes can backfire. The child holds all the cards and knows that you aren't going to get frustrated with them in public, and by then it's too late.

So that's what works for us.

And I'm sure you already do this and do it better than I ever have.
So roll your eyes at my arrogance.

My sister recently told me that her little, timid four year old Mary just gave a talk in primary where she recited 'The Jabberwocky' and then moon-walked back to her seat with no problem.

      

I am such an amateur.

So dear reader, how do you get your kids to do what you want?

This video is of Kal and Quincy just hours after church giving a repeat performance.

*Disclaimer*
Kal was officially 'given out' after his talk, he didn't want to say another word. But he did it one more time just for me. Quincy kept trying to give Kal's talk, she thought hers was way too baby'ish.

Comments

daisy k said…
That is sooooo PRECIOUS!! Jon and I were both grinning ear to ear the whole time we watched the video. Your little kiddos are darling! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Roberts said…
Too cute. I'm sure Braelyn would love to give a talk, but I don't know about Berkley.
Unknown said…
My husband even had to come over to see what I was watching. He just went up the stairs chuckling saying now that is cool! You rock!
indy sev said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
SevereTown said…
Hil, you are very good. If I was proud of you, I would be a COKE. Is that how it goes?
Ali said…
I think your kids might be cuter than mine - that was ADORABLE!!!
Serious Hil?? You never cease to amaze me!! That is the cutest thing I have ever seen! I miss passing each other driving our kids around like mad women!
Roberts blog said…
Thanks for all your sweet comments. I fully expect that someday you all will get tired of my ramblings. Thanks for hanging with me. p.s. I WISH, ALI!

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