Two weeks ago, I wrote this post. I begged. I pleaded. I asked you for any advice to help me from becoming that mom again.
You listened...
You told me to try sitting in a new area. You told me to pack special toys, special books, special foods that would capture G's attention. You told me not to sweat the small stuff.
And today, we listened to your advice.
We didn't bother getting to church early, like we've done in the past. We waited until the priest was just about to walk down the center aisle before taking our seats (no need to maximize G's time in the pews, right?). Instead of choosing a seat near the cry room (which just tempts her, I think), we opted for a seat just a few feet for the choir (it was like G's own personal concert). We watched in amazement as the choir captivated her attention... for about 15 minutes. But we came prepared. Once the awe of the choir wore off, we brought out a baby doll that doesn't get a lot of love at the house, but that was new enough to keep G occupied. That worked for another 10 minutes.
25 minutes down, 35 minutes to go...
...actually, more like 30 minutes to go, because blessedly, Father Jack was our priest today, and his services are snappy...
I brought out the "Baby Bible", a great board book with a soft (re: chewable) cover. DH's parents bought it for G last year for her baptism. I figured it was utterly appropriate for distracting her at church.
Then, we hit the part of the mass where there's a lot of kneeling... the part of the mass where there's little singing... the most sacred part, where any little baby squeak reverberates througout the sanctuary. The part that leaves me quaking, and not because of the awe-inspiring nature of God.
But I was prepared...
That's when I pulled out the big guns... Two "American Baby" magazines G had never laid eyes on before. She loves magazines-- she just adores that "glossy paper", and flipping through the pages. She points out each and every baby (even those who are significantly older than her).
...just ten minutes left...
...G started to get antsy, but that's when the other "G"-- as in "G-O-D"-- smiled down on us, and allowed the choir to launch in a 4-minute long, theatrically-inspired version of Handel's Alleluiah Chorus.
Can you say Alleluiah?
Six minutes... Five minutes... Four minutes... Three minutes... Two minutes... One minute...
G's reward for such stellar behavior?
Well, of course there's eternal salvation...
...but she also got to pick out her Christmas gifts at Toys R Us after we left church, too...
Woohoo! Now, there will still be days where you are back to "that mom" with "that baby" - roll with it! I'm pretty sure God doesn't care much if G chooses to worship in her own personal way. ;)
I can relate to this - even though our daughter is only 4 months old. We got her Baptized at 2.5 months and making sure she would be squeek-less during the entire ceremony was a task! Thankfully she is quite fond of her binks (pacifier) for now, but I am dreading what it will be like when she is able to say, "no"...YIKES!
~Working Mommy
Stop by and say hi!
workingmommyof1.blogspot.com
That's awesome!! What I really want to know is..what did she pick out for Christmas? I'd seriously love some ideas..:-)
Our priest told us that the babies that cry during mass are the ones that are gonna become priests or nuns! I guess all my boys will have eternal salvation!!
YAY!! So glad everyone's advice helped!!
I'm so glad you found success this week! What great planning!
So glad you and G had a successful week!! Its like holding your breath at church every week isnt it. I know it is for us.. Emma goes to sunday school and every time I am constantly waiting on her number to flash for us to go and get her(oh yea and thats happened SEVERAL times... so dont worry lol I am "THAT" mom with you ;)
Wow, congrats! My boys just go in the child care area. There's no way I could get them to sit still that long. Good for you.
Yea! I'm glad it was a successful day. She looks so cute sitting there:)
AWESOME! Great job mommy. We just put Lia in the nursery (infant to 5 yrs) for service twice a week.
I'm going to have to bookmark this for the future :)
Jillien
As I celebrate your success, I have to laugh...we've all been there.
And as a fellow football lover, I love the football analogies!
Chiefs won today, so I'm a happy girl!
I am excited to know that it went well for you. But...don't be discouraged if/when you have a hard time despite all your efforts. It will happen. Just let it roll when that day comes. Or shove something tasty in her mouth ;)
Woot! Yeah for your success!
Congrats - very smart ideas!
Glad it went so well... And I actually thought of you yesterday, as I took J all by myself...
He did great in the opening, but got a little restless during the homile... Then I used Dum Dum's to bribe him during my RCIA class...
All in all, it must have been the day for our kiddos to be rockstars...
In our family we always counted our "successes" one service at a time. I know that you asked for advice last week, but I missed that post, so I'm gonna add something here: a very wise mommy friend of mine trains her children with "blanket time" at home. This is a predetermined amount of time each day, where the child is placed on a blanket, given a few "occupy myself" type toys (such as the doll and magazines you took with you), and trained to sit quietly and self-entertain. Start with small amounts of time. If G tries to leave the blanket area, you gently but firmly place her back on the blanket and say "No G, it's blanket time." You have to work on this slowly and steadily, but eventually, you should be able to take the blanket with you, lay it out on the pew next to you, and tell G "It's blanket time." She should respond how she has been trained, to quietly self entertain. It may sound crazy, but children can be trained to be silent at appropriate times!
Congrats on your success I think I may attempt to head to mass this coming weekend, we will see if it all works out!!! You have inspired me that it can be done.
Yay that it worked out for you! I'm definitely going to keep some of those items in mind for my Baby.