Discipline for bad behavior which occurs in church

[bluerose]

ANYWAY… getting back to the original point of the thread…

I found that if my kids weren’t able to sit still long enough to watch a 30 minute video, they weren’t going to sit still long enough for Mass. My son would often have a quiet toy with him (usually a stuffed dog) and, as long as he was playing quietly and not running around or using a loud voice, I wouldn’t make too much of an issue. If his behavior called for a time out (loud voice, whining, trying to run around), I would be the one to take him out of the church (Dad was the “fun” parent) and make him sit still on my lap. It does no good to take the child out of the church and let him or her run around to “blow off steam”, which is what my sister-in-law would do, because then the child equates misbehaving with getting out of someplace you don’t want to be anyway. I would tell my son either he could sit quietly with me outside the church or he could sit quietly inside with Dad. After a few weeks, he got the idea.

I also agree with modeling quiet time at home, too. That way, Mass isn’t equated with a punishment. It’s like taking a child to a restaurant… if you don’t teach them and expect them to use good table manners at home, they aren’t going to learn the few times you take them out to eat!

 

[MikeInVA]

I also add that some active time before Mass might help him settle down, like recess helps kids focus in school.

 

[Spyridon]

Spy, now would be a good time for you to mute this thread.

@guanophore

Much obliged to have your well reasoned (name removed by moderator)ut.

In the interest of not further derailing the OP, I am going to create a new topic dealing with the morality of corporal punishment in the moral theology forum so we can hash out this topic without disrespecting the OP.

 

[F_Marturana]

I would add also, to make sure all physical needs are met beforehand.

Is he tired, hungry, thirsty? Little people are better behaved when dated.

 

[F_Marturana]

Holly, my son is almost 17. He is a really good kid. He’s serious about his faith, frequent reception of the sacraments, daily prayer, scripture reading.

When he was small he was too fidgety for Mass. We would often bring him to the cry room or walk out in the back of the church

One time he stood up on the pew, and announced in a loud voice, “I DONT LIKE CHURCH”. He was about 2, and an early talker.

Model good behavior, he won’t be two forever.