Young Children/eating at Mass

[CreatioNova]

One of the curches I attend has books for the little ones - colouring books with pictures relating to whats happening at the mass and on the alter.

There’s also a cathecist who takes the very young ones into a room during the mass, they talk about the story of the gospel that day, and make pictures, articles relating to the message as they see it.

After mass is finished but before every leaves they present their work to the congregation.

Works a treat - I’m talking about the NO rite here though, not the EF.

At the Latin rite - I’ve onlu noticed one kid playing up - and his mumleft with him immediately.

I agree with the God’s Time and training them up as young as and as soon as possible - but I in general disagree with giving anything to eat - must better to do something active relating to the Mass Rite.

As for my two little darlings - dunno but for some reason they seemed to ‘‘get it’’ and were never really a problem when they were much younger. But like I said, they didnt spend the whole time at the mass and went off and did art and stuff with their friends to show to us all afterwards.

 

[Phemie]

I have three children and they came to Mass with me as soon as I was able to sit in a pew after a delivery. I never brought food for them but they always had their blankie.

We sat up front so they could see what was happening. The oldest 2 were the type who would always stay where I put them as long as they had their blankie so it was easy. The baby wasn’t quite so easy but I don’t recall ever having to leave with him.

I recall doing preparation for First Communion with our daughter and one of the assignments was to draw what she saw at Mass. The notice to the parents was that if their child drew the backs of heads that they were sitting too far back for her/him to see and understand what was happening.

 

[CreatioNova]

The notice to the parents was that if their child drew the backs of heads that they were sitting too far back for her/him to see and understand what was happening.

 

[drafdog]

My first experience with a two year old at Mass was with a foster child who was frequently self-abusive. When unhappy he would pound his head against the floor, wall, whatever. My wife took care of our daughter through Mass and I had the foster son. The oddest thing was how good he was at Mass. I frequently carried a sound-asleep bundle of boy up the aisle to receive communion. There was the odd time I had to take him to the back and walk up and down with him for a minute or two, but most weekends we spent the time in the pew. No, I didn’t bring food to distract the children. Somehow they understood that this was a quiet time. I suppose, looking back on it, we encouraged them to nap. Much better than trying to keep them awake and quiet.

Matthew

 

[jmcrae]

I recall doing preparation for First Communion with our daughter and one of the assignments was to draw what she saw at Mass. The notice to the parents was that if their child drew the backs of heads that they were sitting too far back for her/him to see and understand what was happening.

That’s brilliant. I’ll have to steal that idea.

 

[bookgirl32]

You didn’t hightlight the important part of that instruction: through our own fault. That means when we can’t pay attention because we’re too busy making googly eyes at some one else’s baby (or let ourselves be distracted by other’s attire, actions, non actions, etc), not because we are taking care of our children. Those who choose to bring children to Mass recieve graces whether we catch every single word or not.

What has worked for us? Sitting close the the front, holding the youngest child/children (usually under 2 or 3) and keeping their focus up front, removing the child if they can’t keep control–but not letting them run around the back (being taken out is a punishment!), teaching the simplest responses and songs that are repeated each week, going over the readings each week before Mass.

Hope that helps!

Thanks, I appreciate this. Regardless of the fact that my one year old does not HAVE to go to Mass, I want him there! I not only want him used to Mass by the time he’s old enough to understand, but I want him in the presence of the Eucharist, even if he can’t yet receive it. I also want my family together at Mass. No child is going to behave perfectly, but the efforts should be made for them to go. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me”, so I actually kind of get offended when people want me to leave him home. They have as much a right to be there as you. If it distracts you (as long as I’m teaching him to behave properly and he’s learning), then that’s your problem, not mine.