[el_chupacabra]

Thanks sitetest,

My family seems to be in familiar territory for you. We have been lingering in the back for a few years. My son just turned four and I believe he would be able to sit still through the entire mass if he could see what was happening.

Our 19 month-old, however, will be a real experiment . . .

[american colleen]

I think you should sit in the front pew with your kids... maybe at the end - near the side door. That way, if the 19 month old gets really antsy or the 4 year old has to go to the bathroom, you have a quick non distracting escape route. I also make it a practice to do something memorable after Mass if their behaviour is acceptable. Nothing big, just stopping for coffee and a donut at the local Dunkin' Donuts. Not a big deal now (but a nice Sunday tradition) as my kids are older and are fine during Mass because they understand why we are there in the first place (starting at about 5 years old).

I've always gravitated to the front with my kids as I find they are more engaged (and inclined to say the aloud prayers aloud) if they can see what the priest is doing on the altar. I just cast my mind back to being a kid and remembering what it is like to stare at the backs of all the huge adults.

The only times I get annoyed at parents over the kids behavior is when a parent doesn't take a crying baby out of Mass - and the kid keeps crying and crying. One family has twin boys about 4 or 5 who run out of the pew and sometimes on the altar... and the priest encourages the parents to let it go as it is "their Father's house." I've seen these kids in the local supermarket and they run around wild there as well.

I'm sure your kids are fine! I'm just happy to see families at Mass, to tell you the truth.