I would try turning the red eye feature off, this feature is usually what slows
it. you can always get the red eye out on the computer, notthe best way to do it, but better than missing the shot altogether. I also agree that taking natural pix of kids is better, a cheesy grin is great, but not what you'll remember of their everyday faces. My son looks completely different when he is purposefully smiling for the camera, I don't want to remember that face, I want to remember the face I see all the time

I also second the just keep shooting suggestion, as long as you have a
high capacity memory card. Surely one or two out of a hundred will be treasures right? LOL