It was my plan to try harder to take my 2 year old to church. Well, I took her again and it drives me nuts. Last week, I couldn't even go in for communion, she screamed and kicked to go back to the nursery. I thought my oldest was a handful in church until my youngest started walking. It was a downward spiral. We end up sitting in the nursery the entire time and it isn't very pleasant. She gets into everything and anything. Btw, they don't have anyone that stays in the nursery to watch your children, each parent is responsible for their own. I don't think she should have the ability to sit through the sermon but I wish we could participate in some of the service. I feel bad sending my oldest with my husband while we stay home. Maybe next week I'll try it again.

Do you take your little ones to church? Any ideas? Nothing I take along or do seems to work for her.

Yes...we have taken our kids from birth to mass every week. Since your DD is a little older, it may take a little bit of time and persistance to get her used to church. I am not a fan of the nursery, and we've never used it. I think it's very important for kids to learn about the process of the mass, what to say, what to do, how to sit quietly (even thru the sermon!) etc JMO

Perhaps you could try sitting in an area that allows you to 'escape' easily if necessary and praise your DD when she does behave...and when she doesn't, just remove her. Two is a hard age, I wouldn't give up on it yet, but it may take a while for her to adjust if she's been in the nursery up until now. Bring some soft books or toys, crayons and paper to keep her entertained if necessary.

I agree with you. We didn't go for a few weeks and I told my husband that it would be better to keep her out of the nursery entirely. He gets embarrassed if she makes a peep and keeps looking at me until I take her out. I would rather try to keep her entertained out of the nursery. Maybe I'll wait another week and see if I can get away with not doing the nursery. Thanks

Depends on your church too...in our parish, we have tons of kids. So someone is always crying. LOL It's just not a big deal. I always liked to take my kids out if they were going to have an all out freak out, but little fussing, here and there, I just let them do it. I have been in other churches though where any sort of fussing by a child, is really frowned upon - you know all those 'turning around and staring because we're just so curious what that sound is...duh - it's a baby!'. LOL

We take our 2 yr old to church every week. Sometimes he is the most well behaved child and sometimes he can be a little monster. DH and I take turns taking him outside for short walks when he starts misbehaving (of course everytime its quiet for a prayer he has to say something loud), we sit in the very last pew, which I hate, but its either sit in the last pew so we can make a fast escape or not go at all. My other kids never acted like my youngest, not sure where he gets all his energy.

Just keep trying, 2 is a hard age.

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DS-16
DD-13
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DS-3

My husband insists on early church (it starts at 8:15) so there aren't many other children. We definitely get frowned upon when they make noise.

I know what you mean. Our daughter is two, if we don't take her to the nursery to play sh wants to run around and be disruptive. Usually there is someone working in there. ( We take turns on a sign up sheet) Honestly I don't really feel like going to church to just sit in the nursery (this happens when someone decides to not do their turn.

I mostly sent the boys to the nursery but between moms and some of the older women in the church it was always covered. At our church the kids only stay for the first half my minister does a childrens message and then off they go to Sunday school. We also have crayons and clipboards available to keep them busy if they should happen to sit during the entire service (parents choice) I have gotten the stare before but with us it was the clapping my son would do after the choir sang

Being an over-proctive mom I had a hard time putting my kids in nursery. I knew the workers and trusted them and we do background checks for any workers that work with kids. But I still had a hard time. So we had a "church bag." We bought a special bag and special activities that were ONLY for church. Like the color wonder markers and paper, story books, other quiet activities. We also had a baggie of animal crackers and a sippy cup of water. We would let the kids sit on the floor with their church bag and they were good. We never had a problem with them making alot of noise or getting bored.

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Jenifer
Proud wife to one amazing man
Proud mom to four awesome kids

Fall is my favorite season!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

We're going through this right now with our almost 2 year old. When we go, we sit in the last pew (which I also cannot stand) and take turns taking him out. We bring a snack (we try to make it something special that he doesn't usually get) and some appropriate toys and books, but he gets bored and wants to run around. We always try to run back in for communion so he can be blessed too. There is no nursery, so I don't know if we would use one. I agree with Oregano that the only way your kids will learn is by being there and participating. Unfortunately it has been so bad that we have not been for a few weeks, and I know it is my responsibility to go and be a good example.
However, it is soooooo furstrating and sometimes embarassing, the priest even commented one time as ds was yelling "all done, all done" and being carried out by dh, the priest made some kind of joke and I could have died on the spot!