What age for mass?

[SmartestGiantInCity]

Older DCs are 3, youngest is 6 months.

Have just started returning to Mass after staying away because of Covid.

They have a children's liturgy but whereas the one I remember as a child was stories and crafts, this is a lot more sitting and listening to the actual Bible (although it is explained a bit). I feel like even the older ones won't actually get much out of it yet, and it's quite tense trying to keep them quiet etc when they go back into the main Mass after the offertory.

What age did you start taking DCs regularly? When did you feel they actually got an understanding/benefit from it?

Any tips for quiet entertainment? And is there much point in them actually going if they're just going to sit there colouring or similar? DH isn't Catholic so it wouldn't be a problem for me to go alone until they were older if that made more sense.

Mine are similar ages (11 months and 3) and we've also just started going Mass regularly - have been since November. My advice is look around at other churches, especially any that have a school attached.

We had to try out a couple of churches before we found the one we go to now. The first one we went to had no children's liturgy at all and it was a disaster for DC1, who just couldn't handle sitting quietly for an hour and found the music a bit scary/loud. We had to take him outside for breaks. An older lady came up to me afterwards once to say her son used to be really naughty during Mass just like mine

The church we go to now has a primary school attached, and 10am Mass is really child friendly and always very busy. My mum takes 3yo to children's liturgy where they hear a very child-friendly version of that week's Gospel and do some craft. Then they come back out just before the communion rite and take their craft up to the altar to show it off, which is a great idea as gets them used to going up to the altar. Children's liturgy is for all ages up to when they do first communion so I think it's about 2-7 year olds.

I stand at the back of church with DC2 in a sling and there are always several other mums doing likewise. No-one minds about a bit of baby noise. I bring books and snacks for DC1 after children's liturgy finishes and again, other toddlers and preschoolers do the same.

DC1 has begun to take an interest in the Mass itself if I explain to him what's going on. He has also started to make friends with some of the other children who go regularly which is so lovely. There's tea and biscuits after Mass and the kids run around together etc.

I definitely think it's worth taking them to church from an early age as they get used to it all and if you find the right church it can be fun for them - DS1 seems to see it as like the toddler groups we go to.

Thanks for your really helpful reply- apologies, had only just spotted that someone had responded.

That old woman is quite something! Not very Christian!

Unfortunately the only other service is too early. It's annoying that the children's liturgy is shorter, as I was expecting to come back just before communion like yours which is much more doable. I think I'll persevere for a bit but give up if it becomes too tricky.