Three year olds and Mass

I took Liv to noon Mass the other day.  Everything went pretty well.  The church is really old and beautiful and of course with that comes amazing acoustics.  It feels like every noise, sound and creak she makes is amplified by 1000.  I mean it's hard enough taking a 3 year old to church when the place is full (like on Sundays) but during the week, daily Mass can be a little stressful.

Now I have to say, she did really well.  For the most part I can get her to sit and kneel.  She will play with her baby doll or sit in my lap.  But truth be told she is three and she squirms. I am working on it.  But let me tell you what doesn't help.  It does not help when there is a lady a few rows in front of you who seems highly annoyed by our presence.  Liv did have a little coat issue, 'Mom take off my coat.' 'Hold on Liv'.  'Moomm, my coat.'  It was at this point that the woman thought it would help the situation by turning around and giving us a look like Liv had just did a flip in the pews.  I couldn't believe it.  Then I realized that not everyone is blessed with the love and patience a mother must have with her three year old.  And I prayed that I could just 'let it go' and God is faithful.  It only got worse when Communion came and the lady moved a few more pews away.  I mean, moved her coat and everything.  

But don't think we won't be back to daily Mass because we will.  And don't think that this is the last of my three year old making noise.  It's bound to happen again. 

Lesson learned:  Sit toward the back?  No, take Liv's coat off right away! :)

The Adventures of Sunday Mass

Mass was funny tonight. No, Mass shouldn't typically be funny but I had to laugh at the situation. I have been given the gift of watching my nephew during Mass. He is 3 months old. Of course I am also watching my lively three year old. Every week I think to myself, I can do this. Many moms handle 3,4, or 5 kids at Mass. Two? No problem.


Everything was off to a great start, until I dropped Joey's pacifier on the ground. Of course Olivia was more than happy to climb under the pews to reach the binky. Upon retrieving it she shouts, 'Mom, it has hair all over it'. So, the binky is done for the evening. Joey starts to fuss. Liv takes the opportunity to use the pew as a trampoline. I immediately stop her by giving her the 'gritting-teeth-turning-red' look and she sits. I stand up (at least I know enough to sit in the last row) and move behind the pew to stand-rock the baby. Finally there is peace...but we have only made it to the Gloria.


The readings come and I get pieces of the First reading. I know this much, the language was beautiful. But I don't get much farther because there is activity on the pew again. Crushed goldfish on the floor. (I know.... I try not to bring food but sometimes I am just weak. If she is eating then there is no talking, right?!) Then the dreaded news, 'Mom, I have to pee'. I say, 'Not now Olivia, the Gospel is about to start'. And she replies with the standard, 'But mom, I realllyyy have to pee'.


So this is that point... you know when you just have to decide. Does she really have to go the bathroom? How many people have now heard the word 'pee' around you? Will she continue to chant 'pee' until you take her out of Church? One time.... just one time I called her on it. I thought she was bluffing and we were running late for something. So when she stood in the Walmart cart and told me she had to pee I told her to wait until we were done checking out. You can hold it. Then the pee dance began. I'm sure you've seen it before. That little dance punctuated with a whine that just goes right through you. And then the pee began to run down her leg, onto the cart, onto the floor. It was traumatic. I felt terrible, she felt terrible and the Walmart employees felt terrible. Now I try to respect the 'pee dance'.


So, we go to the bathroom. I missed the second reading. And the Gospel. And I'm pretty sure there would have been some great message tailored just for me to hear. I am sure your next through would be, 'Why don't you just read the readings?' I would. Really I would but I couldn't put the baby down because he was fussy. And there was this spit up issue.... And Liv, well she was taking full advantage of my temporary handicap.


My sister came over right before Communion because the fussing got to be a little much.  She sits in the front of the Church and came back to assist. We got a bottle together and I started to feed him. Jessie walked with Liv up to get Communion and I continued to feed the baby. (FYI Jessie is the Youth Minister which is why I was taking care of the babe. She would have taken him but she had announcements to handle after Communion). So Jess is walking with Liv. And just as we are approaching the Holy Eucharist I get a feeling. Call it mothers intuition. Call it just plain craziness. Liv decided to follow the priest back to the altar. I don't know what she was thinking but as he patted her on the head she took it as an invitation to come with him. Jessie didn't even know what hit her.


I went back to the pew and thanked Jesus for letting me receive Him. As I lovingly patted Joey's little back and thought about my intentions I felt a warm sensation. Joey had thrown up a ton all over my right arm and leg. I kid you not. Warm spit up just makes me crazy.

And then it was over. As Mass ended with a praise and worship song I noticed a few things. First, I had stopped sweating. Second, sweet Joey was happy as a clam. Third, Liv was excitedly clapping her hands and dancing to the song. Fourth, I am a superstar.

 

Mass and Kids

Check out this great article about kids and Mass found at Catholic Exchange!

Look it's Jesus

As my second child begins to get older the task of teaching her about her faith is becoming more real. Hera are a few things I learned while teaching my older daughter about the faith.

1. Do not point to a crucifix at the front of church and say "look it's Jesus" during mass, your child will think the priest is Jesus from then on.

2. Try to distinguish between a priests clothes and dresses or your child will tell the priest how pretty they look in their dress.

3.Calling a priest Father can be very confusing so sometimes it is best to stick with Priest or Father so and so using their name specifically.

4. Try not to sit close to the Holy Water it is way too strong a temptation for kids to play in it during mass.

5. Explaining the mass is good, doing it during mass will bring on a never ending stream of questions.

What words of wisdom do you have from teaching your kids the faith?