Don't look at me ... and other advice from a parent with young kids at mass

[mdgspencer]

Don’t look at me … And other advice from a parent with young kids at Mass - The Catholic Sun

“Parents walk a delicate tightrope as we work to bring our children up as Catholics, both in and out of Mass. We can use all the support we can get to keep coming back.”

 

[tafan2]

As long as it doesn’t last, ie parents take kids out, the soundvofva kid crying at mass should be music to our ears

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think at this point we have bigger issues on our minds regarding getting back to Mass than a kid crying. This seems like an odd article to be running right now. Half the stuff mentioned in it, like coffee and doughnut hour and other socialization at Mass, isn’t even happening in most parishes in USA.

I also think it’s going to be a while before very young kids will be coming to Mass in droves, given that most churches are keeping the bathrooms locked. And when they do come to Mass they will be needing to sit a distance from other people, which will help with the noise issue and other issues such as when they kick others or climb the pews.

Honestly though, this is always going to be a perennial issue and it’s like the endless modesty discussions. There’s really not anything more to add to it on either side that hasn’t already been said.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

All I know is I worked and prayed hard to get my kids to where we were at with behavior at Mass. My kids have gone totally feral during the pandemic. TV Mass is obviously not the same. When everyone is returning to Mass, my kids will probably be wilder than ever. I don’t think there is anything people can do or not do that will make it any better.

 

[catholiclala]

Crying or talking kids don’t bother me at Mass, it’s when the kids come with all sorts of things that make noise or when the parents totally don’t even try to have any control that I get distracted. But, I don’t give mean looks, I don’t get mad, I’ve just learned to sit closer up front. The parents with young kids generally sit towards the back for an easy escape route. Sitting up front is way less distracting.

 

[DisorientingSneeze]

The parents with young kids generally sit towards the back for an easy escape route.

Not us. Up front is our only shot at them paying attention. Also I think if I’m making an escape down a long aisle…it builds fear.

 

[catholiclala]

Not us. Up front is our only shot at them paying attention. Also I think if I’m making an escape down a long aisle…it builds fear.

Interesting. At my parish all of the families with very young kids are in the back. It’s usually the parents with older children who sit closer, I’m guessing because they want to engage the kids with longer attention spans, or like me they are avoiding the families with very young kids, haha!