Jest- Mass is HUGE struggle for me. My husband is the assistant choir director, so I usually have to take care of my 2 1/2 yr and 6 month old by myself during Mass. I always make an effort to sit in the church, but I always end up in the cry room (which I really hate) about half way through.
My own personal belief is that once a child turns 3 they should be able to sit during Mass and behave for the most part. This would depend on the child, of course. Dd has some... issues... and so it's a little different for her. We think she might be autistic, but haven't gotten a diagnosis yet (waiting for an appt). She tends to be very explosive over the tiniest thing and that doesn't work out so well during Mass. I don't know how to handle her at this point.
If she was "normal" however, I'd expect her to sit still and be quiet. Maybe bring a saint book or something religious to look at, but that's it. No food, no toys, no "Sunday School" etc. I will do my best to educate them to understand as best they can that Jesus is there.
I never thought that was possible until I moved down here and started attending a church where almost all the little kids behave during the entire Mass (including special services, which can be like 2 hours long!). I couldn't believe it!
I think a lot of it has to do with what is expected of them at home, and what kind of discipline they receive (meaning the consistency, not the actual method). Also, many of these families go to church throughout the week too, so the kids are used to it.
So... unless my kids have a good reason for not being to control themselves, I will expect them to make it through Mass without a problem. If they act up, there will be consequences (although I dn't know what). If I have to go to the dumb cry room b/c of a baby acting up, I will expect the older kids to be still and quiet in there too. It sounds strict, but I think you have to teach them reverence while they are young. Otherwise you end up with teenagers standing in the cry room during Mass texting their friends (did I mention I hate the cry room?) and carrying on a conversation....
My own personal belief is that once a child turns 3 they should be able to sit during Mass and behave for the most part. This would depend on the child, of course. Dd has some... issues... and so it's a little different for her. We think she might be autistic, but haven't gotten a diagnosis yet (waiting for an appt). She tends to be very explosive over the tiniest thing and that doesn't work out so well during Mass. I don't know how to handle her at this point.
If she was "normal" however, I'd expect her to sit still and be quiet. Maybe bring a saint book or something religious to look at, but that's it. No food, no toys, no "Sunday School" etc. I will do my best to educate them to understand as best they can that Jesus is there.
I never thought that was possible until I moved down here and started attending a church where almost all the little kids behave during the entire Mass (including special services, which can be like 2 hours long!). I couldn't believe it!
I think a lot of it has to do with what is expected of them at home, and what kind of discipline they receive (meaning the consistency, not the actual method). Also, many of these families go to church throughout the week too, so the kids are used to it.
So... unless my kids have a good reason for not being to control themselves, I will expect them to make it through Mass without a problem. If they act up, there will be consequences (although I dn't know what). If I have to go to the dumb cry room b/c of a baby acting up, I will expect the older kids to be still and quiet in there too. It sounds strict, but I think you have to teach them reverence while they are young. Otherwise you end up with teenagers standing in the cry room during Mass texting their friends (did I mention I hate the cry room?) and carrying on a conversation....
Not as bad as the time they got into vaseline, though!
You're correct, dd3 was born in March 08!
Thankfully she wasn't there today. I don't mean to sound unkind, but she just makes me so stressed out. She's so mean to her little boy, every time he moves or makes a sounds she's smacking him in the face or telling her 7 year old to smack him. It's awful. 
Exactly! Our cry room doesn't have speakers so once I'm back there it's pretty much over until I see the Communion line forming!
) I'll post later with my "opinions."
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