Managing Children During Mass

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katiecall87

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I really miss Children’s Liturgy. I feel like my children gained more from mass when they were able to go and sit with other children and have a child-centered lesson on the day’s scriptures.

I understand why most parishes have done away with it, but I struggle to get my little ones to behave during mass, never mind gain anything from it.

How do you guys get little ones involved with the mass? I’m just curious! My 9 year old is bored out of his mind and his ADHD makes it hard for him to focus. Without constant redirection on my part, he will try to lay around the pew/fall out of it, kick the kneeler, etc. My three year old is three. I’ve read tips before about bringing toys or coloring books- he won’t touch them. Man- all he wants to do is play with the kneeler. Ha ha. What is it about the kneelers that my kids love so much?

Just curious about your thoughts.

Do you think we can ever hope to see a children’s liturgy during mass again?

I might also mention that I attend mass alone (as in the only adult). My husband who is very supportive of my faith is protestant. While supportive, the one thing he does not do is attend mass. So- if I want to bring the kids, it’s me juggling the hyper toddler while redirecting my child with ADHD. I’m about to have another baby next month. God help me 😛

Sometimes, it is SO tempting to just leave my three year old at home with his dad, since he is not gaining anything from it anyway… But then I tell myself, who am I to assume he isn’t gaining anything? It is good for him to be there.
 
Okay, so my solution to children being bored in mass is to sit in front so they can see what’s going on. If you are not sitting in front all they can see on other people’s backs. I did this with mine and it lead to vast improvement in behavior (although there were still days when it didn’t matter where we sat). You also need to recognize the capabilities of your children to behave is age-related and not come down on them too hard. If you quit taking them to mass with you they will never learn how you expect them to behave. Keep reiterating your expectations and eventually it will click.

Take toys that the kiddos only get to play with at mass. I used to take coloring books for mine that were only used on Sundays at mass.

Most parishes still have children’s liturgy, it just may be a different time. You might ask you priest if he has changed it to another mass time, or it’s possible that they need volunteers to lead the children’s liturgy.
 
Maybe it’s just a big practice in my diocese. I have been to three parishes here and all three do not have children’s liturgy anymore. They are very against it, feeling that it takes children away from the mass.
 
We use Magnifikid! with our oldest (almost 7) at Mass and it’s been very helpful for him. He can follow along in it and check off everything as it happens. We also sit toward the front and if our children behave well, they get a treat after Mass (donuts if there’s a social after Mass, or even something as simple as a cookie at home.)

http://us.magnificat.net/home/magnifikid

Our younger kids look at simple faith-related picture books. As they get older, I gradually restrict when they can be used.
 
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Great suggestions and I’m not married and don’t have children. I 👏 you.
 
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