I survived church today with! must have been divine intervention!

[puddingandpie]

Have been really trying to get to mass on sunday but it is difficult with the age of the girls. Managed to make it there and 4yr old went to children's liturgy which was a God send and 2.5 only played up a bit towards the end. So stressful sometimes I wonder why I bother. I seem to be shouting so much at girls of late especially 4 yr old. she just keeps saying things to wind the 2.5 year old up. Then I am ready to exploid. Any tips on keeping my cool and not shouting. Hubby is away at moment with work on detachment for 3months it is crap!!!

I find church really hard with my 3 year old atm as she hates it. Dh doesnt come as he is a burn in hell atheist . dd1 is fine as she is a pious sober soul.

I have tried bribery it is quite effective. Also I tell the 3 year old that she will stay at home if she can't behave - strangely she would rather come with me than stay at home and watch telly but there you go.

Also praise them for being still whenever they are - it is quite boring if you don't know the words etc.

I have been today with my just 5 year old. I think she really enjoys having me sitting still with my arm around her to be honest (don't sit much!)
We take a picture Bible for her to look at too.
I wouldn't risk my 17 mth old ds however!

How do you remove a message i posted this twice not very good with computer's? Endmw your hubby sounds like mine! moondog will try bringing books next time. Just delighted i actually made it once before Christmas.

Don't worry,the other message may disappear or alternatively attract loads of messages as well. It happens all the time.

Reading this makes me realise how lucky I am to be in a young church. My dd loves it because they have kids songs to start with and then she goes to "track" which is like sunday school and gets to do craft (paper plate angels this week) and sing, play musical statues etc, she has a whale of a time. There are 12 kids in her year group, nursery age.

Is the church you went to today the one you MUST go to pudding? or is there any way you can shop around a bit until your kids have something to entertain them?

with regards to not shouting at them (btw, I get EXACTLY the same way when my dh is away on business) make sure you take time out from them when you can. Make time for yourself in the evenings when they are in bed (not housework, I mean relaxing in the bath with a chocolate orange or something). When you know you are going to shout, shut yourself out of the room they are in and breathe deeply while thinking of your favourite memory of your dd. It helps separate the anger you feel for her at the time with the love that you forget when you get angry. Above all, look after yourself and chill when you can xx

at idea of 'shopping around' for church

Ive just been to church with my 6 yr old brother, 6 year old neice, 3 yr old neice, 3 yr old ds and 19 month old ds.

It was christingle and was a lovely service, we took toys for the childrens society and had christingles (although the kids all ate the sweets off theres!)

they were all very well behaved, but they are used to going and are normally good. They will all be in the church nativity Christmas Eve

There are loads of children at our child and the service is really good as it includes them alot. I think we have a good community that attend our church.

Enid, why are you at the idea of shopping around for an appropriate church ? Surely it shouldn't be a problem so long as they all practice the same religion ?

yes I suppose so

I expect most of you live in places where there is more than one

i try and get to the morning mass with dd (dh won't darken the doors!) however I had a lie in this morning instead - now we've got to go to the 6pm service to which not many children go. Fortunately 3yo dd is keen to go with me at the moment and generally behaves.

I have shopped around and this one as catholic churches go is pretty good. I 'm just stressed at the moment but feel the need to go and pray to keep hubby safe and always feel better when i go. I know catholic guilt thing. Have been to christingle service once and it was lovely. Have to say other churches are much more child friendly. We won't start a debate about the catholic church ie priest should be allowed to marry so then they can realise how hard it is to get two children out and ready for mass!!????
As my wise father would always say there are many ways to climb that mountain near my home but it is the same man ie God at the top. This is me without a drink .....time for one I think. God help Mum's net members ...only joking.