Toddlers and Church

[BlestOne]

I went through alot with my kids going to mass when they were young. Oldest son was mostly good in chuch except for the time he broke the wine that was to be taken up with the gifts(At the Easter vigil no less). Long story…I don’t blame him for it. My next son was a terror! He even cut his head open during mass so bad he needed stitches. I took them alone too, my ex was a college student and was supposed to be studying (slept instead). All 3 of them with just mom to do it all! …I got to the point I made a rule that I could only take as many as the number of arms on my body. Ha, that didn’t work either, my ex wouldn’t watch the one I left home, he just slept! Anyway I agree with the other posters. Take them to mass, be prepared to sit in the back, be ready to jump up and take them to the very back or out the door, but one other thing…I took the kids out to lunch after church if they were good, if not we went home and I gave them quiet time. By the time they were 3 they were angels in church. I have a friend that let her kid do anything, eat get up and walk around, go see grandma and grandpa, anything she wanted to do from the time she was a baby!!! And dad is a Eucharistic Minister and mom is a Lector…all the other kids were in Catholic School too. Anyway, the girl is now like 8 years old and has received First Eucharist, and she still gets up and walks around, goes to see grandma and grandpa, plays with her shoes…etc. because mom and dad have always let her. It drives me nuts to see this at her age!!! You absolutely have to hang in there, it takes time but it will get better!

 

[TAS2000]

I attempted a cry room a few times, and was so very disgusted by the behavior of the PARENTS in there, as well as the play time atmosphere for the kids that I never used it again

That’s exaclty the problem we had. We tried taking him out to the cry room, but after one or two times, we realized he was starting to think this was play time away from the “boring” mass so we stopped. It is hard to be the only parent in there trying to make your kids behave when the others are all running around,etc. Then the next few times he cried he wanted to go back in and we refused. Had to un-teach him the bad behavior cry room reward.

I have decided I am a horribly mean mom. It is summer festival time around here, and we see what looks to be 10yr olds riding in strollers at some of these festivals. I make my 3 and 5 yr old walk. When they whine, we say if you are too tired to walk, then it is time to go home. Amazingly, the kids can walk. I just remarked to DH yesterday as we were driving that a kid was on one of those scooters, going up hill in town. In our day you had to use muscle power (and it was uphill both ways ). And they wonder why kids today don’t get enough exercise.

 

[Princess_Abby]

TAS2000:

I have decided I am a horribly mean mom. It is summer festival time around here, and we see what looks to be 10yr olds riding in strollers at some of these festivals. I make my 3 and 5 yr old walk. When they whine, we say if you are too tired to walk, then it is time to go home. Amazingly, the kids can walk. .

Okay I am so happy to see a mother who does not push her children in stollers when they are past toddler age.

One time I was with an 8 year old client who has a developmental disorder as well as a brain injury. He has motor issues, muscle development issues and tires easily, so he DOES have to be pushed from time to time. However, his twin brother is developmentally typical and plays soccer both in the fall and spring. He does not have motor delays and is actually very physically fit.

We were at a mueseum in DC–no hills, no stairs (elevators) and his twin brother threw an outrageous tantrum over the fact that I would not push him in the stroller. His father “took me aside” and told me that he “usually pushes Sammy if Sammy wants to be pushed.” I informed him I would not be pushing “Sammy” but that he was welcome to walk. His father was shocked that I thought pushing an able-bodied 8 year old was ridiculous.

 

[amcalabrese]

Is this wrong? I have decided to try a new tactic.

Besides the 21 month old, we have a 2 month old. While my older son is quite good about having a younger brother, he occasionally has bouts of jealously. Actually, it is more cute than anything, he wil start dancing around if he wants attention when you are taking care of the little one, things like that.

I have started taking the newborn to Church with me. I hope that will make want the odler one want to come too.

Maybe it is a little wrong, but, well, so what!

 

[NFPfamily]

amcalabrese:

Is this wrong? I have decided to try a new tactic.

Besides the 21 month old, we have a 2 month old. While my older son is quite good about having a younger brother, he occasionally has bouts of jealously. Actually, it is more cute than anything, he wil start dancing around if he wants attention when you are taking care of the little one, things like that.

I have started taking the newborn to Church with me. I hope that will make want the odler one want to come too.

Maybe it is a little wrong, but, well, so what!

Now that’s the right idea! Hopefully it will encourage the older one to want to go, but at least the younger one will grow up used to going, so it shouldn’t be an issue later on.