Let's shift our attention from our mounds of laundry to taking our family to Mass. I have spoken to many Moms over the years who express their worries about their kids being too loud or unruly at Mass. The parents get an unplanned work out when they are merely trying to participate at Mass and take in all of the graces. They're busy schlepping back and forth with their little ones for fear that they may disturb someone in the pews. Sometimes they are practically working up a sweat, worried that their children will let out a deafening wail at any given moment.
I think we should always be mindful of our children and their occasional outbursts and that if they are acting up, we should take them in the back for a time, when it's necessary. However, we shouldn't ever feel guilty for bringing our children to Mass. Their little voices are beautiful and refreshing. They receive many graces too. We can't expect them to sit perfectly still, but we can try to train them. It all takes time and patience.
We should strive to return the glares that we may receive from someone who is not particularly appreciating our presence at Mass with a smile that we muster up and we can whisper a prayer for them too. :) Let's not forget about the many happy moments too, when we'll receive a smile or glowing warm look of approval from others in the pews who catch a glimpse of our families sitting together. Or shall I say, trying to sit together? :) I think it's heart warming when someone in the parish family extends a hand of help to families with many children or after Mass offers a word of encouragement or appreciation to the family who is with us at Mass. We all make up the Body of Christ - all of us. And, I feel that includes the children especially! Jesus said, "Bring the children to Me..."
What are your experiences at Mass with your little ones? What are the challenges? The joys? What have you discovered to work best with the kids? Some like to bring their children close to the front of the church so they can see better while others are petrified to go so close because the scooting out with them when they squawk is a longer hike! Please share with us by way of a comment. We'd love to hear. Maybe a solution you have can help someone else. Maybe a problem you experience can be solved by another parent. Do share, please. We're all in this together and we need to help and encourage one another.
Kate Wicker wrote an article recently on the subject which you can read here. Take a look at the comments too.
I couldn't resist these photos, by the way! I hope they brought a smile to your face today. :)
God bless your Saturday!
hugs,
Donna-Marie
We bring are 3 and 5 year olds, although the last 15 minutes are usually horrible. They get better as they get older. I would like if they had religious ed during mass for kids who don't yet receive communion but as long as they don't we will bring them. I see my 3 year old singing the hymns and saying some prayers so I know some of it is sinking in.
ReplyDeleteMy husband once told my youngest he was going to take him to "the spooky scary room" if he didn't behave. I thought was was a terrible threat but he said growing up in Ireland his parents told him they would put him in the 'big black hole' if he didn't behave. With the cemetery being attached to the church I am sure that was very scary.
Alex goes to mass with us, he loves it :) And everyone comments on how he is behaved for a 4 year old. It makes me proud! Our priest loves when the parish children come to Mass and it brightens him up to see them even if they are causing a little mayhem in the isle ;) lol!
ReplyDeleteHugs! Heather
Oh My! Take heart! I bring a 17 year old to Mass and still get glares from the church business administrator. Sorry, she's too old to take to the "cry room" and no amount of glaring will let me leave her at home.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I try to get her to be quiet and to concentrate on the Mass. I try to set an example and keep my eyes forward (as others should do) and I don't waste time "shhhing".
She is where she should be and NOTHING will stop me from taking her to Mass.
I have 5 children, ages 19 down to 3 years old. Their personalities are all different from one another. The oldest two were so good at Mass as toddlers, I was happy to take credit for their wonderful behavior. The third child, haha, not so wonderful behavior in church! We survived, and the humbling experience has made me much, much more sympathetic of other families who find themselves in a similar situation!
ReplyDeleteWhen the fifth child came along, and we discovered at about 6 months old that he had inherited the "anti-church behavior" gene, my husband I decided to divide and conquer! We attended Mass at seperate times, and we knew that it wouldn't last forever! At 3 1/2 he is learning, and we are able to attend Mass as a family most of the time.
I take 8 kids to mass every week (well, the 17 year old doesn't really *count* as a kid, LOL). We've gotten our share of dirty looks and have been told to leave a couple of times. Honestly my kids are really good at mass. I'm SUPER sensitive to any noises they make and am actually one of the people that sweats worrying if they are disrupting ... Read Moreother people. In my experience the worst age is around 1 year old when you can't really explain to them why they should be quiet. We've also gotten our fair share of compliments. Especially from older ladies that raised 6/8/10 kids of their own. "It's nice to see them at mass" they will say. It's SO nice to hear those kind words so I try to say them to other people with small chidlren as well. Children will never learn about the mass if they don't go to mass. Thanks for posting this article!
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad you posted this Donna-Marie! :) I got a couple new ideas from it! Plus I feel inspired after reading the article you posted with this. Thanks bunches!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless! :)
When my children were babies, I would try to go to Mass when it is nap time...my 4 year old used to pull his binkie out and throw himself into my lap to nurse...whenever we would enter a church!
ReplyDeleteSnorkie nursed through the Litugy of the Word and slept through the Liturgy od the Eucharist for about 2 1/2 years! now he is sometimes (quietly) chatty...asking questions, but we sit up front to see and have a personal relationship with most of our priests...this seems to help.
We also try to get to daily Mass as often as we can...It seems the more familiar the event the better they are behaved. We also have a weekly Holy Hour. All this Jesus time seems to help!
Pax Christi.
Well, you know how I feel on the subject! :) Thank you for supporting kids being at Mass and for always encourgaing the moms who bring them there. Also, thanks for the mention of my article.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Kate
We went to church this morning and Sara went up to communion with me (her hand crossed over her chest because she's 3) and after I received communion & got back to our seat she asked "mommy, when do I get to hold the trophy?" I told her when she turns seven she'll get to. I think that is so funny the way little people think! :)
ReplyDeleteSara is so sweet! "Trophy"! That's an interesting way to describe it! I loved it when my children anticipated when they would be able to go to Communion. Such sweet innocense!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much - all of you who have entered into the discussion. It's great to "hear" all of the advice, tips, and sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all!
hugs,
Donna-Marie
I posted about this in my blog--I talked about how reluctant my husband & I are about taking our 3 kids (4, 2 & 4mos) to Mass. I've suggested that we sit in the front row, as I've read this many places, but my husband thinks it's crazy!
ReplyDeleteI have decided to "practice Mass" at home for the rest of this month where we practice sitting still, being quiet and not talking loudly. I have a few neat children's books on the Mass that I'll share with them and generally just kind of get them excited about participating in the Mass--especially the fact that Jesus will be right there with them.
I'll let you know how it goes!
:)
Lara
Kate,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and for writing that tremendous article! I hope all is well in your "domestic church."
hugs,
Donna-Marie
Lara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and for your tips. "Practicing" the Mass at home sounds like a great idea. We'll look forward to hearing how it goes. :)
God bless you for sharing!
Donna-Marie
Thanks to all who have shared their experiences and advice!
ReplyDeleteGod bless all of you!
hugs,
Donna-Marie
I haven't even READ this posting yet, but I'm ROLF-ing! over those photos!!
ReplyDeleteI know, I was laughing as I posted them! :)
ReplyDelete