Cry Room Reform?

[Victoria33]

Our church uses reverse psychology, my term, to deal with children. It says bring them in.

I’ve seen churches real strict too.

They have a plastic coated handout at church where they say all these things, reverse psychology. I’ve wanted to relay that whole piece of reading here, but I’d have to take it out of the church. I do not plan to do that.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

In my “dream parish:”

1. The cry room would be for ages 2 and under. Children need to learn how to behave in Mass, sure, but they’re not going to learn much while they’re little bitty tots.

This would wreck the only time I ever use it- when I’m at Mass with all the kids on a holy day of obligation without my husband and we have lost the battle in the pew. I can’t split my crew if I’m the only parent

 

[PetraG]

I was told the cry room isn’t about teaching your kids how to behave. It is for calming down and emergencies and once that is accomplished go back to your pew.

That is what the sign on ours clearly says it is for. There is a bathroom with a changing table in it.

 

[Glennon_P]

This past Sunday we made it to the Our Father before he broke out into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. My husband got up to take him to the Narthex only to see him wiggle free and go running and flapping to the back door. He was having a grand ole time. My husband and I were just trying to disappear into the walls.

Don’t worry about it…a joyful child (even those who might be misbehaving a bit) is a beautiful sight to see. Oh that all of us could be as joyful as your son!

 

[bassmansteiny]

Our cry room was converted into a St Vincent de Paul room, with a statue of the saint and is open into the sanctuary now.

 

[blackforest]

Bleh! You win. Good point, spoil sport. I was just trying to think of a way to make the cry room less of a play room.

Actually, my parish had two kids sessions during Mass - one for the 18-36 months, and the other for 3-4 year-olds. That could at least free parents up if they also have infants. Your 5-and-up kids, (alas) would have to go to the cry room with you.

 

[phil19034]

?

A cry room should simply be seats behind glass with speakers so ppl can hear. There should not be any parish provided toys, games, arts/crafts, etc.

If you want to provide children missals, sure.

It should really be no different than sitting in the pews.

 

[phil19034]

At my church, the chapel functions as the cry room during Mass held in the church.

A sound system and microphone means that the Mass can be heard through the speakers and seen through the windows - good idea if you ask me.

There is a parish near my house that is that. The back few pews in the Chapel have back that flips in order to change the direction of the seat. The “wall” between the main Church and the Chapel is glass.

The only issue I have with it is that you sit with your back to the Chapel’s tabernacle because the priest doesn’t empty it.

---

Additionally, the parish I live in has a large “Holy Child Room” which is used as a Cry Room during mass and a family/child focused meeting room sometimes during the week. For example: a teenage prayer group meets in their during the week.

The local FSSP parish near me is in an older church. They just installed a window with some chairs so parents with crying babies can go in to the narthex but still participate in the Mass.

 

[phil19034]

LOL. While I was initially referring to a missal for the older kids, they do have a Toddler one.

A Missal for Toddlers

Share and educate little ones with this Catholic Missal for Toddlers. A sweet gift for children. 122292

www.catholiccompany.com

My First Missal - Updated Edition

Kids, parents, and teachers will love this handy-sized booklet missal. Each part of the Mass is clearly explained in simple language with the prayers and responses according to the revised Roman Missal. Supplemental sections include material on making a visit to the Blessed Sacrament and on the...

www.catholiccompany.com

Mass for Children

A simple explanation of the Mass for children. Illustrated in full color. 7912

www.catholiccompany.com

 

[flintlock]

One of the parishes that I have visited has these in the pew… I love this!

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[flintlock]

only to see him wiggle free and go running and flapping to the back door. He was having a grand ole time. My husband and I were just trying to disappear into the walls.

Every parent knows exactly how you feel… don’t worry. No need to disappear.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

A cry room should simply be seats behind glass with speakers so ppl can hear. There should not be any parish provided toys, games, arts/crafts, etc.

I don’t think the parish is providing these things. Parents bring them for their children to use during Mass.

 

[Glennon_P]

One of the parishes that I have visited has these in the pew… I love this!

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I was at a Lutheran church today for a funeral and saw the same card. Great points for parents and non-parents in the parish alike.

 

[jrgmercado]

Our parish doesn’t call it a “Cry Room” , sign says “Mother’s room” and it doubles as a “Bride’s room” for weddings.

 

[pnewton]

I would offer to chair a group to work on a set of guidelines to be posted. Bring in parents who use it to discuss what is needed and what is excessive, present it to the priest, and post it, with his approval. A priest is more willing to respond if you have concrete plans to move forward. Some of my suggestions would be to not allow food or drink, except what is needed for infants. No gum. No playing on the floor. I would also have more positive points than negative. Like, noise is fine, just do the best you can. Use the cry room age as training for Mass.

How about changing the name to the Parents Training Room?

 

[bassmansteiny]

So us adults can’t do our art work on the back

 

[Camehome4john6]

My husband and I always smile warmly to the parents who rush by trying to get their kid to the narthex for a break and looking like they want to “disappear into the walls”. We’ve been there and I wish that somehow I could tell them right then and there that they were good parents for bringing the little ones to church. After all as they say, if a church ain’t crying it’s dying.

 

[JMMJ]

Our parish doesn’t call it a “Cry Room” , sign says “Mother’s room” and it doubles as a “Bride’s room” for weddings.

Where is the Fathers’ Room?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Our parish doesn’t call it a “Cry Room” , sign says “Mother’s room”

I’ve considered that these days, such rooms could also be used for breastfeeding, since many moms are doing that now instead of bottle feeding.

 

[jrgmercado]

:no_good_man: Dont’ know