How Can We ‘Successfully’ Bring Our Young Children To Mass

Your baby squeals out as a toy is pulled away by their sibling…

The kneeler falls noisily to the floor and you cringe!

You panic and rustle through your bag looking for a distraction or snack of some sort for the toddler who is about to have a tantrum.

You feel eyes staring at you as you juggle your kids …is it all worth it?

The Value of ONE SINGLE Mass

The Mass is said to be the most powerful prayer on earth. So with that in mind, here are some suggestions which might help you:

Before Mass

• Ensure your children have had something to eat as well as their nappies changed.
• You can try to have some ‘quiet time’ in the car on the way to Mass. Avoid playing music or the radio. My husband and I will usually try to pray the rosary on the way to mass. Remind your children to be on their best behaviour and try to be positive with them opposed to having threats if they are noisy or they are playing up. It is important that Mass does not become a negative experience for them.

During Mass

• we like to sit up the front of the church! I know this sounds a little scarry especially if you have young ones. Sitting close to the alter means the children can actually see what is happening as the priest celebrates Mass.
• You might like to hold young children (under the age of 3), as they tend to get restless or like to run up and down the pews. This also helps them get a get a better view and as they get older, you could talk them through the stories and the actions of the priest.
• try not to worry too much when your infact makes a noise; as long as he settles fairly quickly most people will not even notice.
• If your child cries or is causing a constant disruption, you could sit just outside in the foyer until he has settled.

I personally like to return to the pew as soon as they have calmed down so that the children do not begin to associate poor or disruptive behavior with a pass to get out of Mass!

• If your toddler is at the stage of asking the typical “why, why, why?” questions during Mass, answer them but also explain that you can keep chatting about any questions they have after Mass.

After Mass

• Offer a lot of praise to your children for their good behaviour.
• If they have been particularly disruptive, let them know that it was not the most appropriate behaviour and you expect them to try harder next mass, but do keep encouraging them.
• For older children, you could discuss the readings and the homily and encourage questions.

Getting to mass during the week with kids

I personally find it very beneficial getting to Mass during the week if I can. I find it is a GREAT start to the day and often helps me to get through the rest of the day with a more positive spirit and attitude. This can be tricky to begin with, especially getting young children fed, dressed and out the door usually before 9am! It doesn’t always work out and there are times we have been able to physically get to the church but have sat in the car because of pouring rain!

As parents, we have such an important role in forming our children in our Catholic faith. We would love to hear more tips or stories on how you bring your children to Mass. Please feel free to share!

 

Originally posted 2013-11-05 04:22:02.