posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

Does your place of worship have a playroom that you can drop the kids off in if they get fidgety? We are Catholic and go to church every Sunday. My boys are 3.5 and 20 months and the older one does really well. Understandably so, my toddler can't sit still. But our parish doesn't have a babysitting room. Would it be rude to bring a coloring book & crayons, or give him one matchbox car, to keep him occupied? I am a firm believer that children should pay attention in church and not play- but at 20 months I just can't expect him to do that. What do you all do? I don't even know how we are going to manage church once the twins are here- I am tempted to switch parishes just so there is a babysitting room we can use!

Re: posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

Any toy or book that doesn't make noise is fine. Snacks and drinks are fine too. I so wish our parish had a room for parents and kids to use during mass but doesn't. We are going to try church again soon. Send prayers!

Re: posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

Our temple has both regular services and children lead services, run by the older children with some assistance. You can go to either service. In the regular sanctuary they also have books for kids.min the coat closet room they also have toys and books for kids. During the High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur) they have special childrens services with crafts.

Re: posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

Re: posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

We may go to the same parish.... (I know we live in the same area)

We have a 7yo and 3.5yo. My 7yo brings a notebook and pencil, but understands he is expected to follow the mass. Stand at hte proper times, say the prayers etc.

My 3.5yo I just hope he isnt screaming! LOL. he is allowed to bring a toy (action figure, match box car, etc) up until the last few months, I would pack a small bag mainly for my little one. The bag included coloring items, 2 quiet toys, generally an action figure and car type toy, a snack and sippy cup. Honestly its a long time for anyone under 5 to sit IMO.

My 3.5yo is pretty good now. But I understand he may lose it at any time and then my husband or I go walk with him in the lobby area.

posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

Thank you ladies! I pack a bag of quiet toys too, I just always get so nervous that the older people around us are judging me. We do try to go to the family mass, the one after that is too late and interferes with lunch and nap time.

posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

We have a back room but its more for feeding babies and not a playroom.
I pack quiet toys and snacks and honestly don't stay bery long, maybe an hour tops (our masses are about 2 hourslong).

Message edited 6/1/2015 1:12:01 PM.

Re: posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

Our parish has a children's mass... so it's kind of expected to have fidgety kids and toys/things to distract them -- nothing obviously really loud or anything but everyone goes there in the same boat so it is very understanding. Does your parish offer a children's mass?

posted in school age by mistake- do you bring your kids to church/temple?

I don't go every sunday but when I do take my older DD (who is turing 3) I usually bring snacks/a quiet toy)