All Souls Unitarian church in DC!!!!

Oh goodness! Thank you all so very very much!

There are accommodating liberal (small L intentional) congregations too. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax is extremely accommodating.

The family mass (9:00) in the theater at Holy Trinity would work. There are kids everywhere. Of course, it's Roman Catholic, so that may not work for you. But certainly your child won't be disturbing anyone, I can promise you that.

OP- I have a child nearly the exact same age with similar issues. We are absolutely thrilled with his Sunday School Teacher this year at The Falls Church Anglican.
http://www.tfcanglican.org/

i have heard mclean bible church is really good for special needs kids. but never checked it out b/c it seemed a bit too "red state" for us. we are more episcopalian-y.

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live. I always took my severely ADHD son from the time he was little. Our church has no kids program during the regular service and kids are expected to attend. The church was very tolerant. Once my priest told me that I only think my child was the only loud one. But from his vantage point, he swore that my son was no different than any other kid. So, maybe it's not as bad as you perceive it to be.

I think many churches are beginning to recognize that if they wish to grow, they have to figure out how to accommodate families with kids. I am an Episcopalian who lives in Arlington. I mostly worship in DC where I grew up, but one thing I've noticed is that all the Episcopal churches around here have special kid's services on Ash Wednesday, for instance. We went to the kid's service at St. Mary's on Ash Wed. this year, and some of the kids were almost swinging from the chandeliers. Maybe 5:30 is just a fall apart kind of time of day!! Many churches have also begun doing Sunday school during the service, instead of after as it was in the "bad old days." GL OP.

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live. I always took my severely ADHD son from the time he was little. Our church has no kids program during the regular service and kids are expected to attend. The church was very tolerant. Once my priest told me that I only think my child was the only loud one. But from his vantage point, he swore that my son was no different than any other kid. So, maybe it's not as bad as you perceive it to be.

Thank you poster. I live in NoVA. We'll keep trying : )

Where do you live. I always took my severely ADHD son from the time he was little. Our church has no kids program during the regular service and kids are expected to attend. The church was very tolerant. Once my priest told me that I only think my child was the only loud one. But from his vantage point, he swore that my son was no different than any other kid. So, maybe it's not as bad as you perceive it to be.

Protestant (any protestant denomination is good)
I especially love Methodist churches
would love the worship to be upbeat
uplifting sermons
And ABOVE all -- a good children's program that my son can feel comfortable in

OP, can you give a general location, and denomination preference?

You need to change to a church with a children's program and Sunday school.

Are you looking for a congregation with an inclusive Sunday School for your child to attend while you at services?

What about, "keep the four year old out of the actual service until he's ready -- which could be years (yes, YEARS) from now."

That's what we did with my unmedicated ADHD sister in the early 1970s. Parents trade off attending Mass each week. My devoutly Catholic mother felt strongly that 'respecting other adults' ability to concentrate while they worship' was more important than 'mainstreaming and focusing on one preschooler's dubious "rights" to the obvious detriment of 400 other people each week.'

I know the pendulum has swung and now one disruptive child trumps absolutely everyone else at all times, so long as that child is "special" in some respect.

But I think my mom had it right. Trade off with a partner*


* or ask a relative or neighbor for free childcare, or pay for 1-2 hours of paid childcare each week.

Or do I need to give up my career and church?

(yea, i'm mopey. sorry)