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"We are a family now, a
whole, Of which you are a part, And you are just as much
my child, As any in my heart. I do not love you
differently, Nor would I give up less, Of all that life
has given me, To bring you happiness.
There is no limit to my
love, No boundary you might cross, No price you might be
asked to pay, No need to fear its loss. We are now one,
the four of us, Windows of one home. As long as I have
life and breath, You'll never be alone."
“If children are coming into the marriage, there are
many different ways to involve the children in the
wedding ceremony itself. I believe it is very important
that if children are coming into the marriage that they
be recognized or participate in some aspect of the
wedding ceremony itself. Children often can not express
fears or doubts they have."
"As I have children myself, I am very aware as to how
much children will be an influence in the couple's life
together. Involving children in the ceremony help them
to transition to the new relationship they are now a
part of."
MENTIONING THE CHILDREN:
"I think it is much more important that children hear
their names mentioned in the ceremony, than it is that
they play any major part of the ceremony. Mentioning
their name during the wedding assures that they are an
important part of the occasion and have special status
which guests and other family members attending do not.
Children need to feel important to their parents."
"If children are coming into the marriage, it is
appropriate to mention in the ceremony that not only is
a marriage being formed, but also a family - and then
name each child. If a prayer is in the ceremony, each
child's name will be stated in the prayer."
WHEN CHILDREN FEEL LEFT OUT:
"Most couples are careful to take time to talk to the
children about the marriage before the wedding day and
involve children in some aspect of the ceremony. Where
children tend to be left out is immediately after the
ceremony. The bride and groom walk away and are crowded
by "big people" - with the children left out of the
immediate post ceremony celebration."
"When children tend to feel most left out is immediately
after the ceremony. Children tend to see the world as
revolving around themselves - and the wedding ceremony
as also their day.
They feel very left out if all the adults celebrate and
they are ignored at the end. They also do not know what
to do after the ceremony ends."
"The couple should take a moment to hug their children,
thank them for helping in the ceremony, then telling
them they are free to play. This recognition is very
important." Child and Children wedding
NON CEREMONY ROLES FOR CHILDREN:
"With many weddings, a good way to involve children
(except very young) is to give each their own one-time
use camera and have them take pictures they think are
important. It will be interesting to see what pictures
they take and the photos could be theirs later when
developed."
CHILDREN IN THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY:
"Generally, children will not share your sense of
excitement about the wedding. Rather, to them it seems
more a party occasion. Usually, giving children major
roles in the ceremony quickly becomes chores. It is
generally best to give a child only one active role and
also to be mentioned in the ceremony, rather than to
actively involve a child at many different points
throughout the ceremony. Child in wedding gift for
children, child ring, necklace, child and children
"With teenagers, some care should be taken not to give
them roles they may feel silly doing. Care should be
given in asking a teenager to give the bride away or
state agreement with the marriage - as the child may not
really feel fully comfortable with the marriage, yet
does not want to say so."
PARTICIPATION IN THE CEREMONY:
"For younger children, usually the simple task of
holding the rings or bouquet is enough to accomplish a
sense of participation. For teenagers, the role may be
as simple as standing up with the couple, playing the CD
or tape of wedding music, or even just taking pictures
of the ceremony."
WALKING THE BRIDE FORWARD:
"If the bride's children, sometimes the children will
walk forward with the bride. When asked "who brings this
woman to this man?" they answer "We do" or "We do for
the family".
VOWS FOR CHILDREN:
"Occasionally, a couple will have the children asked,
"Do you accept this family and the marriage?" Care
should be taken in this decision, as sometimes the child
is not completely comfortable with the marriage."
GIFT FOR THE CHILDREN
"Typically, couples give children a gift right after
they exchange their own rings and vows - usually a
necklace or ring - along with a hug and an "I love you."
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