Tag: children’s ministry cartoons

Categories
K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine Parenting Cartoons

Does Anyone Remember Separation Anxiety?

Cartoon of a crying mom clinging to a boy. The caption says, "It's been hard for Chloe to serve since she began experiencing separation anxiety."
Published in "K! Kidzmatter Magazine"

When my wife took a sabbatical from ministry in 2014, she spent a lot of time at home. Our kids were in their teens and twenties, so it was basically her and the dog when I was at work and the kids were doing their own thing. The dog started to get used to having her owner at home. Separation anxiety was nowhere in sight.

But when she went back to the church, the poor dog had a nervous breakdown. When we came home, we would find her hiding and shaking. When we went to bed, she would bark until we took her upstairs and into our bedrooms. Before, she was quite content to be in a downstairs bathroom.

We took her to the vet to be sure she didn’t have a physical problem. The vet confirmed she was just fine, but experiencing separation anxiety. He suggested we could give her anti-anxiety medicine. I thanked him and said we would wait and see. Eventually, the dog got used to being the queen of her castle once again.

We live in Ohio today and are entering the third week of staying in place. I really feel for the parents who have had to figure out how to keep their kids busy when school was canceled. Many of us are working from home too. Separation anxiety may be the last thing on parents’ and pet owners’ minds these days.

But there will come a day when things get back to normal again. We will get to venture out to work and school one day. Let’s look forward to the day when separation anxiety may be the biggest concern on our minds.

How have you made the best of being at home? Let us know in the comments.

Cartoon of a crying mom clinging to a boy. The caption says, "It's been hard for Chloe to serve since she began experiencing separation anxiety."
Published in “K! Kidzmatter Magazine”
Categories
K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine motivation

How Is Your Reality TV Show Going?

Cartoon of a student and a Sunday school volunteer. The student says, "You'll love serving in the fifth grad class. It's kind of like being in a reality TV show."
Published in "K! Kidzmatter Magazine"

There are some days when I think the last couple of weeks have been a twisted reality TV show. People have been sequestered in their homes with whatever they could scrounge at the grocery and instructed to live within the confines of their home with the kids while they attempt to work from home and homeschool their kids. Whew!

It has reminded me of a time or two when a class could get unruly and devolve into an out-of-control reality show atmosphere. Oh, how I long for those days! 

They will be coming soon. Sometime late spring or in the summer, Sunday school classes will be back in session. It may take some time for students and teachers to get their bearings again. In the meantime, hold on for today. If you are feeling you are in a bizarre reality show, see if you can ask the director for a raise or bonus. Just beware of that added twist that those shows like to add just to make things interesting.

Cartoon of a student and a Sunday school volunteer. The student says, "You'll love serving in the fifth grad class. It's kind of like being in a reality TV show."
Published in “K! Kidzmatter Magazine”
Categories
children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine worship

Kids Worship in Mysterious Ways

Cartoon of two adults watching a dancing boy. One adults says "I didn't know you could breakdance to 'Amazing Grace.'"
Published in "K! Kidzmatter Magazine"

One of the things I will miss this morning is the unique ways kids will sing and dance with worship music. I’ve seen kids do The Worm. Others are experts at The Floss. The creativity flows when the music plays. I’ve heard some adults complain that it could become less of the worship experience and more of aerobic activity. That’s fine with me. Keep the kids engaged.

When I drew this, I thought of the many times adults try to make kids behave like little adults. Sure, Amazing Grace is a wonderful hymn and is rich in its meaning. But it is difficult to get a seven-year-old to sit still and sing all six verses slowly and solemnly. Sooner or later, one of the kids will break out into dancing.

Cartoon of two adults watching a dancing boy. One adults says "I didn't know you could breakdance to 'Amazing Grace.'"
Published in “K! Kidzmatter Magazine”
Categories
K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine motivation

Creativity in Bending the Rules

Cartoon of a teacher observing a boy. He says, “While it’s true you’re not standing on the chair, I don’t want you to do that either.”
Published in “K! KidzMatter Magazine “

I am a firstborn, like my wife. We both grew up believing the world had a set of rules that were meant to be followed. Our poor siblings and kids probably got quite tired at hearing the “rules lecture.” It makes it that much more amazing we’ve both been in creativity careers and children’s ministry.

When I drew this cartoon, I thought of all the creative ways kids demonstrate how to bend the rules. They have taught me you can obey the letter of the law, but not the spirit. Is it any wonder one rule can become a dozen variants in no time!

There are certain rules that need to be obeyed for safety, fairness and justice. Then there are unwritten rules we need to reconsider each day. Are there unwritten rules about our culture that are keeping us from thinking creatively? Is there an unwritten rule in our business that no one really knows why we do it that way, we just do?

At any rate, please be kind to the chairs. They get enough abuse as it is.

Categories
children's ministry children's ministry cartoons K! Magazine Kidzmatter Magazine Magazine

Have You Ever Regretted Your Timing?

Cartoon of a teacher watching hyper kids. The caption reads, "Eric was SO close to get a spiritual truth across... then the sugary snacks kicked in."
Previously published in K! Kidzmatter Magazine

When I lead a large group of kids on a Sunday morning, there is a huge difference between the first and second hours.

The first hour brings in the zombie kids. They may or may not realize where they are. Some of their shoes are untied. The eyelids are half-opened. You may see a little drool at the corner of their mouths. Some are able to muster the strength to participate in the game or song.

The second hour brings in the kids that have had a chance to digest their breakfast. Their small group leaders probably gave them a treat. Yes, they have a little jump in their step. They are hyped and ready to go. The sugar has kicked in.

Timing can be really important whether you are teaching kids or have a presentation in front of a group. For adults, mornings may be the best time while you need to avoid the time just after lunch. For kids, mid-morning may be the best time to get your lesson across.

Have you ever had a time where you realized the timing of your lesson or presentation was off? Share your experience and what you learned from it in the comments.

Cartoon of a teacher watching hyper kids. The caption reads, "Eric was SO close to get a spiritual truth across... then the sugary snacks kicked in."
Previously published in K! Kidzmatter Magazine