I think we spend this time of early motherhood, not in observing the Mass as we should, but rather in teaching little people how to observe the Mass as they should.  It is our calling, albeit a difficult one!

I find going to Mass without my little ones to be sort of like coming to an oasis. Your article reminds me that no matter MY feelings, the grace I receive is the same. The same Christ who enters my body in the Holy Eucharist, the same Holy Spirit whose presence is conferred on me by the blessing of the priest, the same grace of being in communion with all the others present who participate in the Mystery. Thanks for the good reminder!

Yes, mothers need to hear this from one another. It won’t always be this way, but you’re gaining countless graces in the sacrifices you’re making! When they’re little, you teach, and teach, and teach again, all the while saying, “It’s still His Body and Blood ....”

And, the occasional Mass alone can be just the refreshment you need to keep going.

Recently both our girls have formed a habit of needing to be taken out in the middle of mass. Our two-year old has discovered that a wet diaper is a hall pass to explore in the chapel on the way to the bathroom in the basement and she regularly plays that card in the middle of father’s homily. My four-month old has somehow got herself on a schedule so that she must cry herself to sleep usually during the consecration. So my husband misses the homily and I miss the consecration and we both wonder what happened to the “good old days”. It’s always good to be reminded that God will still give us the graces that we need even if mass is no longer a time of peaceful contemplation. However, it does make me yearn for those days when we were courting when we used to go to mass together every day but Saturday. Still, I know these days won’t last forever. Some day we will look back in longing, wishing we had wee ones again.

This is a wonderful and encouraging article.  I’d like to add that parents need to persevere—it DOES pay off, when the kindergartner eagerly watches the altar servers because he wants to do that one day, and when the older children voluntarily join the choir.
I have seen way too many children whose families let them basically run free in church.  It doesn’t get better when the kids get older.  But if you are right there with them, holding their little hands as they dip into the holy water (again and again until they are basically drenched), providing that guidance that “this is what we do in church,” it will pay off.
It is a great privilege to share your faith with another, and that is exactly what you are doing when you bring your children to church.  Even when they’re noisy!

I’d suspect that Christ notices you all the more, because you are there, with His favorite people - a child or children - in tow, despite the difficulties that this brings for you, personally. You are there to see Him, such a Privilege! Imagine how much He is present to you therefore, just in BEING, as you struggle to stay present, not to mention “get something out of” your attendance at Mass.

I agree with other writers here, that your presence at Mass is teaching your child/ren that God just wants us to BE with Him - as you are there with both God and your child/ren, now.

It’s hard to wait, but I know that in future, you will have more of the lovely ‘refreshing’ and ‘renewing’ experiences that we all look forward to so much, at Mass. Bless you!!

I used to feel a little smug during these discussions because my dh took charge of our son during mass, letting me pray and recoup. Now that we have two, I’m right there with everyone else, being distracted by my kids, trying to teach my three year old how to behave and restrain his wiggles while my husband (the baby-hog) takes the baby to the restroom to change his diaper. If I’m lucky, I get to excuse myself to nurse the baby in the back (there’s a rocking chair for the purpose) during the homily, so I can have a few moments of recollection.

One of the earliest Catholic Parenting Books I read was “Raising Catholic Children” by Mary Ann Kuharski.  Somewhere in that book she said that going to Mass was about “giving worship” and that has stuck with me and encouraged me for these 13 years as a mom.  Not to say I don’t get a little (a lot) frustrated at times.  And not to say I don’t enjoy the occasional alone Mass or Mass with older kids.  However, that one statement helped me to realize that I am there as a humble servant of God to honor Him and obey Him.  Even standing outside the doors with a crying baby, not hearing a word of Mass, is giving Him worship.

You know that I would give ANYTHING to have a toddler distracting me at church . . . .  But thank you for helping me remember to be grateful for the peace I’m able to experience right now at Mass.  I try to keep all these little blessings in mind, and make sure to appreciate my life as it is now!

There are days when parents aren’t able to attend Mass bc their toddlers and youngest children have a schedule of naps and feedings that need to take just as much priority - they need you attend to their every need right now.  You made the best decision of having children so the Lord understands you can’t always be there physically - but when the kids are sleeping or you have moments peace at home, take the time to pray to yourself quietly aloud and you’ll feel just as connected with Him.

I have 4 children and my husband is currently incarcerated (only 3 years left!!) anyway, Mass has been my REFUGE for these past 5 years and our children have been with me every Sunday @ Mass.  From the wriggling 1 and 2 y/o girls and 5 and 7 y/o sons to currently 5,6,8,10.  I purchased a Mass bag with bible coloring books, children’s Mass books, lace ups and the Magnifikid for the older boys.  What graces I have received in clinging to our weekly Mass and it is amazing to watch our children grow and learn.  When my husband comes home, our life will be better and stronger with our continued commitment to growing stronger as a family in Christ.  Not every Mass is perfect (far from it), but EVERY Mass is worth it!

I have found that the closer to the front of church, the better for the children, they can see what is going on , now that we have 5 or 6 families sitting up front one child being a little loud is o.k. One family has 11, one has 3, we have 5. Father is very understanding with all of extra singing going on. Blessing to all of you and your children

Hang in there!  It does get better!  I remember those days with two 2 year olds….felt like I was wrestling alligators!  At the end of Mass, I would leave looking like I had lost a prize fight! 
Now, I have a 12, 11, and two 8 year olds that participate in Mass and even serve!  There are still miracles! 
Jen in OK

Oh my!  I am still laughing and have tears in my eyes!!!  Were you watching us at Mass this weekend?  No?  It sounds just like the juggling my husband and I do each week.

It is the *L-O-N-G-E-S-T* hour of my week—and also the most blessed.

Thanks be to God,

Sincerely,
Donna

My dh and I believe that raising our children to be good and holy Catholics is helping us earn our way out of Purgatory. Struggling with a 2 year old who can’t sit still to save her life, and a 6 year old who want to tell the little one what to do, at the top of her voice, makes Mass very interesting for us. The other day my husband walked out of Mass saying, “I could see my Purgatory account…earned 1,000 years out…earned 1,000 years in…earned 1,000 years out…earned….” LOL   May the graces received at Mass always outnumber our short comings.

We have 4 children, and the youngest is now 17, but we experienced all these challenges mentioned, and more!  One son was so “antsy,” that we’d have to take him out of the “cry room!”  He loved to run away from me - thought it was somehow “funny!” One Sunday, when banished to the vestibule, he ran under the rope surrounding the Baptismal font, and proceeded to run around it, with a “you can’t catch me” look in his eye!!!  Another child was worse as the years progressed, so that, in church, other parishioners would mention it to me after Mass!  I soon understand why my parents took turns going to Mass when the 6 of us were small, even though my Mom had to take the bus, since she didn’t drive!  (Whatever happened to that idea?!)  But, with each child, when he or she was very tiny - even if we were in the cry room - no matter how distracting (or naughty!) the child was acting, when it came time for the Consecration, I always stopped, and whispered, “This is the most important time of the Mass.  This is where the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus!”  They all stopped what they were doing, watched and listened, at least for those few minutes!  They’re all turning out pretty well - thank you, Lord!