https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 23 May 2026 00:27:48 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2123367 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 19:45:07 +0000 matador84 2123367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It will be long, but you can do it. I bring my 1 and 2 year old alone with me frequently. Our priest encourages those with children to sit in the front so they can really watch the mass, and I think that does help! I bring a little children's picture book for the kids and a couple quiet toys just in case. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2123189 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 18:01:40 +0000 MusicaV 2123189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you going with just your grandmother or will there be other family there? </p> <p>We've been taking LO to mass since he was an infant. He's 2.5 years old now. We rarely have a mass where he sits still the whole time, however things that help us are: snacks, sitting near a family with a baby (so he has something interesting to look at), letting him flip through the books in the pews, and getting him engaged in the mass (especially singing). On the way, we talk about what we do in church - sit quietly, listen, etc. We've also found that the more family is there, the easier it is to handle him, because he can sit with someone else if he gets antsy. Aside from that, I would just have low expectations and be ready for someone to take him outside if need be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122911 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 15:04:28 +0000 jedeve 2122911@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just typed a response and the Internet ate it. But this is good too: <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/inebriateme/2014/07/every-parish-needs-this-stat/" rel="nofollow">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/inebriateme/2014/07/every-parish-needs-this-stat/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122803 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 14:18:30 +0000 honeybear 2122803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Easter at most Catholic churches is a bit of a madhouse. There are usually a lot of people regardless of what time you attend. Are you going Easter morning, or to the vigil? If you're doing the vigil, ask some questions, because they can be several hours long and you'll want to know this going in! Awesome and spectacular (they start with a bonfire!), yes, but long and typically late into the evening. If Easter morning, I would arrive way before Mass starts to secure seats on the aisle. Or just decide that you're going to stand in the back, which is what we do most Sundays anyhow. </p> <p>Many churches have family/cry rooms, but I personally don't use them because I think they become the default space where people expect children to be, and that's not right. Everyone is welcome at Mass, babies and toddlers included. If my son starts to be loud I take him outside, but the occasional babble or question or squirm is not a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122570 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:51:50 +0000 Mamasig 2122570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bring a ton of things to keep my 2.5 year old entertained - snacks, sippy cup, books, quiet toys like a car or plane, etc. </p> <p>We do sit in the cry room or close to the back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122516 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:11:53 +0000 mediagirl 2122516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If he's not used to it, it'll be hard to keep him occupied through the service. If it were me, I would take him out into the lobby or to a quiet area during the Liturgy (when they do the readings, gospel and homily) and come back when they're doing the Eucharist. As a non-Catholic you won't be able to attend Communion but a lot of non-Catholics hang out in the pews during Communion, especially during holiday Mass. </p> <p>I wouldn't personally feel comfortable breastfeeding a baby while trying to corral a rambunctious toddler during Mass. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122508 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:06:14 +0000 Madison43 2122508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just went to a full baptism mass with my 17 month old - we're Catholic but don't practice. I brought a ton of snacks and quiet toys and she did ok. At some point, I moved to the way back where no one was sitting because she was getting restless and I didn't want to take attention away from the baby of honor, but I'm not sure you'll have that option at Easter because it's usually crowded. I would just sit at the end of the pew in case you need to make a quick exit. As for your little one, I've seen people nurse or use a bottle, it just depends on what your preference is. I know this probably won't be a popular opinion, but if your nursing, I would take a cover or be super discreet. Depending on the church population/culture, some of the older folks still believe shoulders should be covered at all times - a little piece of boob could totally scandalize them :wink:</p> <p>Eta: I also wanted to add that for us, Easter mass is much theatrical than regular Sunday mass. That's not to say it's exactly exciting, but it may be more entertaining for your toddler than you expect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122503 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:02:37 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2122503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: I love that! &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122497 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:00:05 +0000 jetsa 2122497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: haha I understand. No reason to bring a bottle as long as you are comfortable without it! <a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/13/pope-tells-moms-its-ok-to-breastfeed-in-church/" rel="nofollow">http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/13/pope-tells-moms-its-ok-to-breastfeed-in-church/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122455 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:39:26 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2122455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Coral: I hope this is true! I am also going to have my newborn haha :) But I am MUCH more concerned about the toddler haha</p> <p>On that note, should I bring a bottle for her or can I nurse her if she is hungry? I am going to feed her right beforehand but just in case....</p> <p>Thanks everyone! I am going to try...he might get some brand new lift the flap books just for this (and hey, they will be fun for the 11 hour drive home too!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122439 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:29:36 +0000 Mrs. Coral 2122439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You can do it! Great advice above. Just remember if he is super "busy" not to sweat it too much. Most people are going to be so happy to see a young child at church and will also love watching him. Many are also reminiscing when they had busy children in church. That is the feedback I have received. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122435 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:26:30 +0000 kick641 2122435@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can he sit quietly for any amount of time? I see a lot of toddlers either coloring quietly or looking at books during mass so they aren't disruptive. People at mass will tolerate a little noise, like a kid getting fussy or asking questions, but you should take him out of the sanctuary if he starts to throw a tantrum... Just general church etiquette, I think? If he's active then he's active, but try to keep him from standing on kneelers because they can break and are easy to fall off of for little kids. I think if there's a super early mass and a later one around ten am, the ten am mass will have more parents/other kids and the people around you will be more tolerant. I also see kids playing with phone apps or action figures, now that I think of it. Most Catholic churches are pretty tolerant of little kids because they are always pushing people to have a ton of them. If you are going to a Latin mass, that would be a whole different ballpark. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122426 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:23:13 +0000 mrsjyw 2122426@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've been taking our son since he was an infant. We take books and coloring books and he usually lasts the entire mass. If not one of us just takes a walk with him outside in the halls (there's also a kids area) and then bring him back when he's settled a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122420 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:20:05 +0000 Rockies11 2122420@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it's challenging, but we do it with our 20 month old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122418 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:19:26 +0000 jetsa 2122418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: You'll survive it'll only be an hour or so. Bring books, quiet toys, and snacks. I am catholic and have a hard time attending Mass with my 1.5 year old because its just a lot to expect of them. =/ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/toddlers-in-mass#post-2122411 Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:15:45 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2122411@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can anyone give me advice about taking a toddler to Mass for Easter? We are not catholic and attend a non-denominational church where my son goes to their kids ministry...we have never expected him to sit through a service. But this year we will be visiting family and will be attending Mass with my grandmother. Is this even possible? My he just turned 2, and I don't even take him to storytime at the library because he is so "busy"... </p>