So You Think Children at Mass are a Distraction

Some grouchers complain about children in church.  They're distracting, that's for sure.  One answer is that children need to learn how to behave in Mass and how will they learn how to do that if not by going?

You may think this odd, but when my children were little I didn't push bringing them to church.  My oldest was very well behaved.  Well, if staying quiet is the criteria, she excelled; she always fell asleep.  The second one always had to be carried out of Mass because she was so disruptive.  Finally, hubby said that getting all dressed up to go to church was a waste of time because he never made it to the Eucharistic Liturgy.  He refused to go.

Of course, once they reached the age to go to religious education, they had to go.  But it still was a distraction.  At this age, you don't need toys and food to keep the kids busy, they should understand what's happening.  It's still a struggle.

Why do they always have to go to the bathroom at the consecration? 

I thought of this as I was trying to watch a hockey game.  We were watching the Candy Cane Classic.  The team players were around 8 years old. The audience was full of the players' parents, grandparents, and other relatives, plus little brothers and sisters.

Worse than little children at Mass! The parents had brought backpacks full of toys, books, crayons, coloring books, food, and digital gadgets to keep the little ones busy. The kids dumped the contents of these backpacks all over the floor, and under the seats.  And then the kids were left to their own devices to entertain themselves.  Yes, the parents are right next to their little ones but hockey is intense and fast, and you need to stay focused on the game (not on the little ones).  At least at Mass, the parents pay attention to their children.

And these kids go to the bathroom, too.  And just like at Mass--at the most important part!  They'll be a power play and with a couple of seconds left, little junior will start jumping up and down holding himself.  Afterward, they want something out of the vending machines (Funny how vending machines are near the restrooms.) 

Why do parents bring children very young to sports?  One answer is that having the family all go to the game together is an activity everyone can enjoy as a family or will enjoy when the little ones are old enough to understand what's happening.

Oh?  Like going to Mass?