hmmm.... I have had children attend meetings, and I was ok with that on an occasional basis but it can be a distraction. Not necessarily because your kids are not well behaved, but because the other women will make faces at them, wave etc. It can be a distraction.
In terms of parties and ceremonies--I would unfortunately have to agree with the chapter. Purely from a legal perspective, having your kids present at any event increases the chapter's liability. If something should happen to one of them, for whatever reason, that would not be a good thing.
I was once in a ceremony where a member brought her two children. They were well behaved, but the two year old was wandering among the sisters standing with candles. I just kept imagining someone backing into her or worse, wax falling on her. I should have stopped it at the time by taking her out and watching her myself, but I didn't want to make a scene. I did make sure that it never happened again, and that may have meant that sister had to miss such opportunities. Ceremonies and rituals are meant to be special, solemn times.
In terms of what you should do--that I cannpt answer. Did the sisters tell you that it was ok to bring your children before you joined? What is the likelihood you could find child care?
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