Perspectives: On Church Nurseries

Recently I wrote about “why I’m afraid of the church nursery”… which surprisingly sparked many comments from my readers (online and in real life!).

My own church nursery is well-organized and has high standards for cleanliness and guidelines workers must follow. Yet as I’m sure you moms out there remember, the first time you leave your child ANYWHERE creates butterflies in your stomach and a constant searching for “where did my baby go?” The first time I put Asher in the nursery…I let the worker lift him from my arms and was handed a little black beeper in return. I walked away thinking – a beeper in exchange for a baby!?! I already missed my baby so much!!! It didn’t matter that ALL the ladies in the nursery were my personal friends who have hours of experience with babies, that the sun shone brightly through the windows, and the mats and toys had just been cleaned with “Anywhere Spray.” I just didn’t want to give my baby up!

So, writing about my reluctance to leave my baby in the nursery isn’t a judgment on nurseries. I just muse about why it’s hard, what goes through my head (rationally or irrationally!) and how I try to ease my way into “letting go.” I assumed nursery workers had no opinions on whether the babies in our church (regulars or visitors) come to the nursery or not. I mean, that’s how I feel when I work in the nursery – I’m like, “if anyone shows up, great, if not, oh well it’s a slow night!” But perhaps that’s a narrow view? What I never considered is other nursery workers might view my reluctance in a totally different way.

After my previous post, I had a heart-to-heart with a friend from my church that revealed a side of the nursery I hadn’t considered. Here are her thoughts straight from her heart:

Christine says:

For me it’s a blessing to work in the nursery. I have no family in the church, so when it’s my turn to watch the babies, I feel I’m being a blessing to the moms. And I hold that dear to my heart. When I’m in the nursery, I feel I’m part of the church family, and have a purpose for being there.

Personally, if a parent decides not to put their child in the nursery, it would take the blessing away from me. It’s my joy to hold the babies, play with them and let the moms be in the service.

Would I be uncomfortable changing a cloth diaper…no, a bit nervous, yes – just give me instructions! I wouldn’t want to mess it up!

I was touched by how much she enjoys the nursery (I confess there are times I have left the nursery stressed by all the crying babies!), and by her heart to be a servant in the church through the nursery ministry. Of course, I, and every other mom, has to make their own decision about whether/if it’s time to put their baby in the nursery, but I will keep her words in mind as I move towards putting our baby in the nursery more often.