Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => Catholic Living in the Modern World => Topic started by: Fifteen Decades Daily on April 22, 2023, 06:07:39 AM
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Kevin Davis of Catholic Family Podcast interviews his parents, who raised 10 children, about their experiences and suggestions for helping children to behave well at Mass.
Each part is about 25 minutes.
On Well-behaved Children in Church (Part 1) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL0D2v1-Hgs)
On Well-behaved Children in Church (Part 2) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwmJ0lLfrCo)
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Even for those without children, very good perspectives shared here, gives me more tools to be more patient and understanding
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This is something we struggle with because our boys are so young. Excited to listen to these when I find time! Thank you so much for sharing! 🥰
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I haven't watched yet, but I'll just say that I know of a family that is very strict, and keeps their children well disciplined, and they are not a problem at church. If their baby cries, it is taken out. Some people almost never take out their crying children, and don't bother to cover their mouth. Sometimes they will give a baby one of the chapel's prayer cards to chew on. They almost completely ignore their children as they quietly, but noticeably fight each other, or pick on the pious well behaved children, who are so well behaved that they ignore even pokes to their face. Some parents let their children play with the hymnals, which get torn up.
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I am age 70. From a family of 9. Priest said, bring your children to sit in the front seats. Next, parents sat behind them. A child out of order got a "finger flick " to the head. My mother told us, it is your embarassment,not mine.
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I clearly remember the words, "Just wait till I get you home." It was enough to put the fear of God into any child!
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There was rarely a problem with us in church. Whoever misbehaved got a hide tanning and no Sunday dinner, just bread and water. As for crying babies, they were removed at once out of common courtesy for others. We were trained to look at picture books or missals, or to pray on our Rosaries. None of this feeding toddlers Cheerios and drinking from sippy cups! We didn’t arrive with coloring books and crayons or toys of any kind.
Now, I’ve seen adults drinking from water bottles and even coffee during Mass! I’ve seen a mother bring baloney and cheese slices which her toddler and two primary school aged children ate off the seats while sitting on the kneeler.
If behavior is a problem, the priest has every right to correct it if it detracts from his ability to offer Mass or annoys others. If the parents get upset, let them speak with the priest who can give them instructions about Mass behavior. If many children are misbehaving, let the Catechism teachers include church behavior in their lessons. Classes may be needed for the adults, too. Many parents are products of two or three generations of laxity and don’t know what is correct and how to enforce it. Children need to be taught self-control. It rarely just happens!