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Little Ways for Little Ones at Mass (and Beyond)
Little Ways for Little Ones at Mass
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The Earliest Years
Toddlers
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Use Your Hands, Not Your Words
They may surprise you.
Prep for success.
Holy Distraction
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First Child Foundations
A few words more.
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Use Your Hands, Not Your Words

And don't forget the evil eye.
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Body language is your first language in Mass correction. When modeling isn’t enough, you must physically bring the child back to the correct posture and disposition.
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When their little leg starts to swing or kick, place your hand gently on their knee.
When their head starts to swivel, use your hands to gently turn their head back towards the altar.
And when their legs and head move again and again, you must gently correct them again and again.
I remember many Masses as a young mom where I was completely exhausted by the end. It felt as if I was “on” the entire time and barely caught a word. Then after mass, someone would approach me with wonder about how good my children were. I believe they thought my children were sitting like angels the entire hour and I was just peacefully praying.
The reality was that I was perpetually, touching a knee, turning a head, taking a pair of hands in my hands and putting them together or setting them in a lap, or otherwise actively correcting a very busy little boy (or five).
Perhaps part of the illusion was the modeling that I was doing when I avoided taking my own eyes away from the altar if possible. Maybe in that way, it feels stealthy?
The more you can do that others won’t notice, not only will you be less disruptive, but you will be modeling the need to behave as reverently as possible to your child.
That said, when encouragement and gentle correction aren’t enough in your battle with your offspring’s concupiscence, chastisement must happen for the child that knows better.
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A stern glare with eye contact made and pointed direction can be judiciously used. A short whisper in the ear is occasionally needed. Maybe a snap and glare for quick correction when they are out of reach. And once in a blue moon, one must pull out the wild eye coupled with a vicious hiss of a whisper that most certainly fills a child with regret and makes them fear the talking-to they will receive after church.

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They may surprise you.
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