Comments on: Children in Church

By: Raising Creative Children » Post Topic » Why Two Year Olds have Tantrums

Thu, 20 May 2010 19:46:57 +0000

[...] articles: In Praise of Pacifiers, Children in Church, and Teaching Children [...]

By: Raising Creative Children » Post Topic » Advent Week

Raising Creative Children » Post Topic » Advent Week — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:00:53 +0000

[...] further reading: Building Family through Tradition Children in Church Working with the Lesson [...]

By: Raising Creative Children » Post Topic » In Praise of Pacifiers

Raising Creative Children » Post Topic » In Praise of Pacifiers — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:27:53 +0000

[...] further reading, check out: Why Two Year Olds Have Tantrums, Children in Church, and Feeding the Finicky [...]

By: Lorelei

Lorelei — Sat, 02 May 2009 01:57:45 +0000

Thanks for your comment! Yes, sitting up front is a good idea, too. And we’ve used donuts for bribes . I really like your suggestion about asking the child to listen for a specific word, like Jesus. That’s brilliant! And your nine-year-old sounds a lot like my 27 year old son.

Sometimes, I like to mention to my kids on the way in to Mass what the readings are going to be about, so they can listen for them. That means I have to be organized enough to know, but sometimes it happens!

By: cardiogirl

cardiogirl — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:44:35 +0000

All good points, the only thing I would add is to sit closer to the altar. When you are closer to the action, your children have something visual to focus on.

We were resistant to this idea for many years. For a long time we sat in the back row so we were close to the cry room.

Our children are now 9, 6 and 3 and I have to say sitting up close has really helped them handle the hour-long Mass — especially our 3-year-old.

Having a priest who starts Mass on time and doesn’t dawdle is also helpful.

Regardless they can see what’s going on and tend to me more engaged in watching and listening.

We also offer bribes.

If they sit still (relatively speaking) and do not poke at each other we stop to get a doughnut after Mass. And yes, we’ve had days where the doughnut was not earned and much crying and gnashing of teeth occurred on the drive home.

Lastly, I ask my 6-year-old to listen for the word “Jesus” and to squeeze my hand when she hears that word. It helps her listen a bit more closely.

And my 9-year-old likes to listen for the phrase: “The Mass has ended, let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”