Question for Catholic parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best part of any Catholic mass is when a toddler goes rogue. The parents are expected to take kids outside if the kids are really losing it though.

My grandpa used to pinch the babies’ legs so they would cry and he could take them out.

Coloring books, matchbox cars, rolls, any quiet toy is fine OP. And the constant movement (stand, sit, kneel) helps too.

[Anonymous]

It’s also really normal for a parent to take a baby or toddler out if they start to fuss. Also if you buy them fancy outfits for the wedding (Kohl’s is great for this) you will be surprised how much extra time you buy from the 3 and 6 year old at least.
It’s also very normal for kids that age to eat during mass assuming it’s not messy. We had soecial mass treats which included those baby puff tings that are like the baby version of Cheetos, those dried yogurt things, cereal we didn’t normally get like honey but cheerios. That boy’s you at least another 10 minutes.
Does your six year old read yet? I got one of those great kids bibles with tons of picture and would give it to my son during mass. He had a teacher that was amazed at his knowledge of the Old Testament — those were the best stories with all the battles and so forth so he would read those over and over again. Our church also had a weekly activity sheet for little kids that had a seek and find picture related to the gospel and stuff like that.

Also Catholics are really used to little kids. It’s sort of our thing. Every one in a while you get an older lady who gives you the stink eye about your kids, but it’s much more common to have someone compliment you on how sweet they are and acknowledge that you’re really trying. I had masses where my kids were literally climbing over my head and people would say “you’re such a good mom! You’re so patient with them!” Basically anything short of smacking them and people give you the benefit of the doubt.

[Anonymous]

Echoing that people are so used to this. Crying and whining kids is like background noise at Catholic Mass. Once I brought both my kids alone and made the mistake of sitting near the front and they were horrendous. At the end I just wanted to get out ASAP but two separate people came up to me and said how great I was for bringing the kids to church. And our pastor also frequently comments on how he loves hearing crying kids at mass. The noisier the Mass, the more likely he will comment how much he loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a Catholic, my kids grew up attending mass so they learned to do this from infancy. I don’t think you can show up for the first time and expect perfection.

Typically I see families with kids who can not sit still taking them to the back of the church or outside to let them run around. If you want to enjoy the wedding, get a babysitter.

This x 1000. Also, if you feed kids before Mass and don’t bring treats (cheerios) to everything they learn they can sit through an hour or more without putting something in their mouths. Except in extreme situations you should avoid the cry rooms because they donthe opposite of teaching kids to sit through Mass or a movie without fussing. The adults back
There are even worse. Crying during Mass is fine. It shows life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s also really normal for a parent to take a baby or toddler out if they start to fuss. Also if you buy them fancy outfits for the wedding (Kohl’s is great for this) you will be surprised how much extra time you buy from the 3 and 6 year old at least.
It’s also very normal for kids that age to eat during mass assuming it’s not messy. We had soecial mass treats which included those baby puff tings that are like the baby version of Cheetos, those dried yogurt things, cereal we didn’t normally get like honey but cheerios. That boy’s you at least another 10 minutes.
Does your six year old read yet? I got one of those great kids bibles with tons of picture and would give it to my son during mass. He had a teacher that was amazed at his knowledge of the Old Testament — those were the best stories with all the battles and so forth so he would read those over and over again. Our church also had a weekly activity sheet for little kids that had a seek and find picture related to the gospel and stuff like that.

Also Catholics are really used to little kids. It’s sort of our thing. Every one in a while you get an older lady who gives you the stink eye about your kids, but it’s much more common to have someone compliment you on how sweet they are and acknowledge that you’re really trying. I had masses where my kids were literally climbing over my head and people would say “you’re such a good mom! You’re so patient with them!” Basically anything short of smacking them and people give you the benefit of the doubt.

It so not normal for toddlers to eat during Mass. Parent better. I agree some parents do it but it still considered disrespectful.

[Anonymous]

It will be fine. Just sit in the back and be ready to take the 1yo out if needed. Which will probably happen, and if it doesn’t, you can be pleasantly surprised. The older two will likely be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they are having a Mass and you are really worried about it, being quiet toys and sit in the back. Coloring books, etc. let them play in the pews. Very, very common sight at Mass.

We probably had 30 or so kids under 10 at our wedding years ago and it was no big deal. We had a full Mass for our wedding.

Cry room is also a good suggestion. If your kids become unsettled, stepping outside is no big deal.

If you go up to the communion line for a blessing tell your kids to place each hand on opposite shoulder to signal they are not Catholics.

A priest/deacon/Eucharist minister would certainly know that children ages 1, 3 and 6 had not yet made First Communion. No need to cross their arms.

I saw multiple 4-6 year olds receive all sacraments from baptism to confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass this past year. My wife was given her first communion at age 5 when she insisted she was ready and a priest examined her conscience and signed off on it. Atypical but we always had our children cross arms from the time they could walk until they actually received their First Communion.

Which parish? Name it or it didn’t happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they are having a Mass and you are really worried about it, being quiet toys and sit in the back. Coloring books, etc. let them play in the pews. Very, very common sight at Mass.

We probably had 30 or so kids under 10 at our wedding years ago and it was no big deal. We had a full Mass for our wedding.

Cry room is also a good suggestion. If your kids become unsettled, stepping outside is no big deal.

If you go up to the communion line for a blessing tell your kids to place each hand on opposite shoulder to signal they are not Catholics.

A priest/deacon/Eucharist minister would certainly know that children ages 1, 3 and 6 had not yet made First Communion. No need to cross their arms.

I saw multiple 4-6 year olds receive all sacraments from baptism to confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass this past year. My wife was given her first communion at age 5 when she insisted she was ready and a priest examined her conscience and signed off on it. Atypical but we always had our children cross arms from the time they could walk until they actually received their First Communion.

Which parish? Name it or it didn’t happen.

And who the hell are you, pp, to make such a demand? An anonymous Internet troll - that's who - Not to be taken seriously.

[Anonymous]

I think it's so sweet that the bride is allowing kids.

Most parents just sit toward the back and exit as needed. You can usually hear what is going on the sound system in most churches. Sometimes the doors are clear glass so you don't miss too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they are having a Mass and you are really worried about it, being quiet toys and sit in the back. Coloring books, etc. let them play in the pews. Very, very common sight at Mass.

We probably had 30 or so kids under 10 at our wedding years ago and it was no big deal. We had a full Mass for our wedding.

Cry room is also a good suggestion. If your kids become unsettled, stepping outside is no big deal.

If you go up to the communion line for a blessing tell your kids to place each hand on opposite shoulder to signal they are not Catholics.

A priest/deacon/Eucharist minister would certainly know that children ages 1, 3 and 6 had not yet made First Communion. No need to cross their arms.

I saw multiple 4-6 year olds receive all sacraments from baptism to confirmation at the Easter Vigil Mass this past year. My wife was given her first communion at age 5 when she insisted she was ready and a priest examined her conscience and signed off on it. Atypical but we always had our children cross arms from the time they could walk until they actually received their First Communion.

Which parish? Name it or it didn’t happen.

It was at one of the ten largest parishes in the country.