Kids in Mass are distracting!

[JPUSC]

When I go to the Tridentine Mass sometimes, its kinda cute to see the little girls with their veils and the boys in their little suits. Great parents .

 

[mjzkz]

Some kids are often distracting at Mass. The very young babies that start to cry should be taken to the cry room until they have settled down.

It is the adults’ duty to try to set the right example for any child by participating in a solemn manner, responding to the prayers as necessary. We are the teachers.

As for the toddlers and some of the older children, picture this:

Would you enjoy spending an hour staring at the person up front’s backside? Perhaps a “pew with a view” would be the best solution for trying to teach the solemnity of the Mass. The child could then see what was happening on the altar and be advised of the what’s and why’s. With something to pay attention to - the priest performing the Mass - they would be less apt to get rambunctious and fidgety.

Just a thought from years of observance of families settling in the back pews, presumably on the theory that the children will not disturb others. This seating practically guarantees inattention and boredom.

 

[kristie_m]

Some kids are often distracting at Mass. The very young babies that start to cry should be taken to the cry room until they have settled down.

It is the adults’ duty to try to set the right example for any child by participating in a solemn manner, responding to the prayers as necessary. We are the teachers.

As for the toddlers and some of the older children, picture this:

Would you enjoy spending an hour staring at the person up front’s backside? Perhaps a “pew with a view” would be the best solution for trying to teach the solemnity of the Mass. The child could then see what was happening on the altar and be advised of the what’s and why’s. With something to pay attention to - the priest performing the Mass - they would be less apt to get rambunctious and fidgety.

Just a thought from years of observance of families settling in the back pews, presumably on the theory that the children will not disturb others. This seating practically guarantees inattention and boredom.

Guess you missed the point of this thread. We parents do the best that we can and I’m with the OP here…I’d rather endure a fussing and restless toddler now and then, knowing that that kid is learning how to behave in church. You can’t do that if you’re dragged off to the cry room every time you whimper. I thank God every day that I belong to a kid friendly parish.

 

[MrsRoetto]

I have to say, I agree with mjzkz. I am so happy that most people are not too distracted (in a bad way) by my little one and others, but I also don’t think parents should take advantage of that knowledge and become complacent. Too many times I see children not being taught reverence (at what I would consider past the appropriate age) or tiny ones allowed to holler through a homily. What benefit is that infant, his/her parents, or anyone else getting from the Mass at that point? The crying room is there for a reason. I also agree that families with small children should feel welcome and encouraged to sit upfront, so the “shorties” can see what is going on and maybe pay attention just a little bit more. When I started doing this I found a HUGE difference! There was an even greater difference noticed when my older ones joined the choir and started altar serving. I saw my 6 yr. old turn around backward in her seat this week so she could see and hear Father better, and she paid attention beautifully! (although in the beginning, my 2 yr old called out repeatedly to her oldest sister, waving to her throughout Mass )

I think what mjzkz was trying to say was that while we love the little children in Mass (that is EXACTLY where they belong ) parents should still be focused on the Mass and teaching their children about it in a loving way, showing them that in this House of God we are welcome, but age appropriate manners are expected.

I know this thread is starting to veer a bit off topic from the OP’s point of view, I just thought I’d chime in on the other side of the aisle. But, obviously, all God’s children are precious, and we are all blessed when our patience is tested and we have to work a little bit to receive the message being put across to us sometimes!

 

[KarenElissa]

**I know this thread is starting to veer a bit off topic from the OP’s point of view, **I just thought I’d chime in on the other side of the aisle. But, obviously, all God’s children are precious, and we are all blessed when our patience is tested and we have to work a little bit to receive the message being put across to us sometimes!

yes, as the OP, these last couple of posts are not the point of the thread. This is about GOOD distractions. If you want to talk about the other stuff, go find one of the bazillion threads on that or start your own. This is supposed to be a POSITIVE, ENCOURAGING thread!

 

[Spedslayer]

A child’s smile is worth protecting. My heart is pretty constantly closed to the world. I don’t want to leave myself vulnerable after all. But a child’s smile is more powerful than I can express. My barriers are bashed to the ground whenever my niece smiles. She has the most beautiful smile. Sometimes I take for granted the smiles that she gives me. Since I haven’t seen her in a couple weeks, I’ve begun to notice that she needs to visit me (or maybe I should visit her. It’s probably easier that way). Every once in a while, I see a picture of her. Even they are enough to crush the walls around me. She’s not the only one that can do that to me though. I see babies out and about in mass too. Often they’re loud and distracting. But sometimes it’s good to be distracted. Not much of what I do is worth doing anyway. Maybe God can make them distract me from distracting myself, so I can pay attention. I wish there were more smiling babies to keep me distracted.

 

[Ruthie]

Spedslayer, you inspired me to a new thought.

On other threads, and maybe here, I’ve posted about how the stained glass windows, statues, and other sacred images in church draw my wandering attention back to God.

I’ve also posted about the Virgin’s intervention that turned me from someone who loathed crying babies and whiny children, to someone who smiles at them and their noises, and sees a precious gift from God.

You’ve helped me put the two together - those beautiful babies, even if they’re distracting me from Mass, are still drawing me towards God!

Thank you, and God bless you!

Ruthie

 

[Sarabande]

A little off topic, but speaking of kids:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b94/BengalsManiac/boy_and_dog_praying.jpg

It just reminded me of it.

Oh my gosh!!! SO ADORABLE!!!

 

[Sarabande]

A child’s smile is worth protecting. My heart is pretty constantly closed to the world. I don’t want to leave myself vulnerable after all. But a child’s smile is more powerful than I can express. …(Edited by me)…Maybe God can make them distract me from distracting myself, so I can pay attention. I wish there were more smiling babies to keep me distracted.

This is so very true. You bring up such a great point. Maybe it’s because I love children, but I agree with you… when I see any child or baby smile, it’s just so beautiful. They are so full of innocence and you can see God in them through their smiles. I never thought of it before, but perhaps that is one of the reasons why whenever I see a little baby or child, my first reaction is to smile at them - I want to see their smiles (which of late, will sometimes get me very teary-eyed in a very good way). You see a pure heart and soul AND God through their smiles and eyes. Of course you can see that with almost everyone else, but there is such clarity and purity when seen through a child.

So, you are right, that “distraction” can be good.

 

[CreosMary]

I feel crying rooms still have thier place for the more energetic of little ones.
At our parish, one toddler constantly stands in Fathers way upon entrance, then runs around the sanctuary and even rings the bells as if they are toys. The parents just ignore the whole situation and practice no control at all over thier child

 

[Moyle]

I feel crying rooms still have thier place for the more energetic of little ones.
At our parish, one toddler constantly stands in Fathers way upon entrance, then runs around the sanctuary and even rings the bells as if they are toys. The parents just ignore the whole situation and practice no control at all over thier child

I is remarkable just how different some children and some adults act. Many are wonderful, just as outlined on this thread. Others are very problematic.

I wonder about the parents who bring huge equipment bags full of toys, coloring books, bags of Cheerios, sippy cups of goodness knows what, etc. etc. etc. along with their own quadruple caramel latte from Starbucks. Ever look at their pews once they depart?

Yes, maybe crying rooms do have a place – for SOME kids and SOME parents.

 

[JPUSC]

I is remarkable just how different some children and some adults act. Many are wonderful, just as outlined on this thread. Others are very problematic.

I wonder about the parents who bring huge equipment bags full of toys, coloring books, bags of Cheerios, sippy cups of goodness knows what, etc. etc. etc. along with their own quadruple caramel latte from Starbucks. Ever look at their pews once they depart?

Yes, maybe crying rooms do have a place – for SOME kids and SOME parents.

Yeah, you have a point. A nun told me one time that she saw a woman doing office stuff or something in her pew during Mass.

 

[CradleCath]

I feel crying rooms still have thier place for the more energetic of little ones.
At our parish, one toddler constantly stands in Fathers way upon entrance, then runs around the sanctuary and even rings the bells as if they are toys. The parents just ignore the whole situation and practice no control at all over thier child

Unbelieveable!! Perhaps we should rename the crying room, calling it the “progressive parents” room & send the whole families of disruptive children there. If a child is blocking Father’s way…it’s the parents that need help.

We took our 4 children to Mass from the time we felt comfortable taking them out in public…about 10 days - 2 wks of age until they left for college. With infants, I could I timed out schedule so that the baby would be fed & tired by Mass time (& always took a bottle in case of an emergency). With our toddlers, we explained that they were going to “God’s house” & that we expected them to be very good children &, of course, there is no excuse for anything less than reverence & attention by the time they reach school age.

We never took cheerios or toys. They understood from a young age that the Mass was…well, the Mass. They always behaved very well! But then, we expected them to.