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7 Things That Are Working For Us Right Now
One of the things that has always stressed me out as a Catholic mother is taking our toddler to Mass, especially on Holy Days when my hubby is working. Our little guy has been going to Mass every week since he was a bitty baby so as he's grown we've learned what works for us when it comes to getting him to sit through Mass. I decided I would make myself a list to help me remember if God decides to bless us with another child.
-1-
Sit near the front.
We always sit in the fourth-ish row on the left side of the center aisle.
We are close enough that the little guy can see what is going on but, far enough away from the altar that if he were to make a break for it we have a couple of seconds to catch him before he "visits the priest".
-2-
Sit on the end.
We sit at the end of the pew closest to the side door. This way we have several options if the little guy is being too disruptive. We can pop out the door to the outside. We can go over to the corner to stand. If absolutely necessary, we can head to the back of the church. I generally sit on the inside with the little guy and my husband sits on the end. We found that when I sat on outside with our little guy he thought he could get out and run up and down the aisle. It's the little things that make such a difference.
-3-
Feed him as close to the beginning of Mass as possible.
The little guy was exclusively breast fed until he was eight months old. Generally, he didn't need to be fed during Mass if we planned ahead and I was able to nurse him immediately before going into Mass. Now, that he's a toddler the same thing that remains true. (On a good day) We leave for Mass early enough that I can give him a smoothie pouch and a snack before Mass in the parking lot. This way he'll be satisfied for the rest of Mass and I won't have to break out the "emergency snack".
-4-
Bring an emergency snack.
Initially, I was dead set again bringing a snack to Mass. However, sometimes as much as you plan ahead the little guy just needs something to munch on. He's still little (relatively) and he can't entirely understand why he can't have anything.
-5-
Bring books.
Our little guy loves to read. He loves to look at pictures and tell you what he thinks is going on. We received a few Christian books at our baby shower and have purchased several Catholic books that we take to Mass with us. He likes to compare the pictures in his Mass book to what is going on. Eventually, I would love to make a quiet book for him to bring with him to Mass but, that will have to wait until I have time and/or can find one that isn't astronomically priced.
-6-
Go to the Mass that is closest to when he wakes up.
Don't dilly dally. Get up and go. Mass works best for him if it is the absolute first thing we do. Whether it is 11 AM, 9:30 AM, 8 AM, or 7 AM, just get up and go.
-7-
Hold him.
When we first took Charlie to Mass as an infant, I was reading every blog post I could find about bringing up Catholic children and helping them to behave in Mass. One blogger (I can't remember who it was) wrote that she holds her children until they are three. I have to say this works for us. We only have one child. We can pass him back and forth if need be. He definitely behaves better in our arms. I don't think he knows he can get down or sit in the pew.
Anyway, these are just some things that work for US right now. They are by no means the answer to everyone's situation. I'd love to hear about how you wrangle your sweet children while at Mass because I am sure as he grows we'll need new strategies.
