We always sit in the fourth-ish pew on the left side of the center aisle. We are close to the door in case Charlie has a melt down. We are close to the altar so he can see the "action".
We've been very fortunate that until now, he's enjoyed sitting on my lap looking around quietly. When he was little-er, he used to fall asleep in my arms during the Eucharistic prayer and wake up during the processional. I miss those days.
We have entered a stage where he just doesn't want to be still or quiet. Today for the first time, despite offering a paci, a sippy cup, and three different toys, we actually had to take him to the back of the church.
He's not particularly loud but, he whines...and whines...and whines...
He's not hungry...
He doesn't want to stand...
He doesn't want to sit...
He doesn't want to lay down...
He doesn't want to play...
He doesn't want to be held...
He just wants to whine.
Interestingly, standing in the back of the church makes him quiet however standing next to our pew in the alcove doesn't work. I'm wondering if there is too much stimulation at the front??
Do any of you season moms have some advice?
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While I wouldn't call myself seasoned, we have a 2yo and 1yo. In my experience what you're describing I'd just call typical behavior. It will pass. There are some board books that might help him, but this is just party of their growing. It'll pass, then get worse, then pass...I'm assuming it's cyclical. :) but keep doing what you're doing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement and reassurance!
DeleteUnfortunately, it's just a stage that all kids seem to go through. My kids were the worst from 8/9months til about 2 1/2 years. There is a lot of (conflicting) advice out there-- sit in front, sit in the back, bring toys, don't bring toys, etc. but my advice would be do what works for your family. Our kids are 5 1/2, 2 1/2, and 14 months now, and our routine is always changing. Right now we go to 8 am mass & sit in the cry room (no one else is there), but at other times, we all sat in the main church & took turns walking around with whoever couldn't sit still. We've also split masses for a few months when things were really trying. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky that my hubby goes with my to Mass so we can be pretty flexible. Our church doesn't have a crying room so, we kind of float around the sides/back to keep him from disturbing people!
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