I really think that everyone around you has had to deal with the same thing at one time or another. I know we always take our children out when they start acting up, but our church has childcare during services that parents take turns doing. There really isn't any sound advice for this one, other than one day this too shall pass. That was weak, but anyone who has children know that this can be the hardest place to contain them, because it is literally boring for them. The only real suggestion I have is to find a sunday school room that is empty during worship turn up the speaker (if there is one) and take activities for the kids to do. They at least have the option of getting up and walking around in the room if they need to move. Good Luck!

My mother takes my kids to church and they like it a lot. She started when my son was small and put him in the nursery, then in Sunday School. When my daughter was old enough, she started taking her, too. She has changed churches a few times, but has found churches with great childrens programs.
She has had a few embarrassing moments when my son would "mutter" comments, loud enough for the entire congregation and pastor to hear. As they tape the service, everyone who got the tapes also heard...
Or, when my daughter got away and ran all over the church, climbing on everyones lap or under their chair before she could be corralled.
Everyone seems very understanding when the kids misbehave, but they are told (by us) that if they are not good, they do not go. She has even gotten up and left before church was over a few times because one of them wouldn't behave. The kids really feel bad about it because they ruined things for everyone else. That may not work for you, but I hope it helps.

if your church doesn't have a sunday school that doesn't fit your needs it may not fit others needs as well. talk to your pastor about having the classes extended. this also may be a calling for you to become a sunday school teacher or something of the sort. get with the pastor and see if there is anything you can do to help the situation.

My son at times has a wild streak at church...the other day he told a new mom that her baby looked like an alien!!!
He wasnt really trying to be mean, after all the baby did somewhat resemble the picture of an alien.
Getting ready for church, at home, has a lot to do with how our time at church goes...if we are excited and having fun. We get to church on time, and have a good time there...
If I am freaking out that we are behind schedule everyone else has a terrible attitude too...
I pray and tell the deciever that he isnt screwing up our time with God! That helps us a lot!!
Good luck

Thank you all for the replies. I have tried to get with our Father but he says taht the reason the class only lasts 30 minutes is becasue the teachers need to come up and take communion and some of the children do too. SO, I understand that, I will be taking my 1st communion adn being baptized on the 7th so I get it, but sometimes I just feel like not going when my husband is a t the firehouse, but then I feel guilty. Oh the trials of being a parent...

Your 8, 7, and 5 year old can't sit through a 30 minute service??? My daughter will be 7 in June, and although we don't go every Sunday, she KNOWS not to misbehave. She has been gonig to mass since she was a baby, and until she was 3 or 4 we went in the 'crying room' a small room the church had for people with infants and children who didnt want to disturb others, but after that she just was made to behave. Yes, we had to leave quite often in the beginning, but after a few times of no tv after church for poor behavior, she learned really quick to behave for the 45 minutes we were there(we leave right after Communion). Does you 8 year old go to get Communion yet? My daughter is looking forward to that, but she knows she has to behave in order to stay long enough to go.
Now, my 2 year old stays home with grandma because our current church doesn't have a crying room and I don't think it's fair to the other parishioners to have him running/screaming the whole time while they are trying to pray. Other times my husband comes(he's Baptist and works overnight, so he doesn't come every Sunday) and leaves with him if he gets really loud/obnoxious.
Our church does also have a children's service that we sometimes attend that is a little shorter and keeps Mary's(6) interest because the homily is said on her level. Good luck.

I think everyone has going through it at church. My sister-in-law and my brother has small children and when they go to church and have to sit there for hours listening to what the pastor has to say the kids acted up and get restless. I don't think they are looking at you in a bad way I think they feel for you and your kids need to learn that its not right to acted that way. I know that you are a good mom and its just hard on one person trying to keep four kids quiet during church not go crazy. I have seen it in church and at weddings and funerals where kids don't sit for very long. Kids at that age only have patients for 30 minutes and that is it. My son is very busy and he can't sit very long either.

Well, when they go to the children's class they ae fine but it agin it does only last for 30 minutes. I think it is COMPLETELY different when you only have one child and not 5. My older children are doing better but no my 5 and 4 year old cannot sit through it. My daughter realizes that she needs to attend and understand becasue her first communion is coming up and she trys hard and is doing better. I have taken things away but a hour service for this age is crazy to expect of them. I have asked other people what they think and they said they really do not even notice. Now I sit by another family who has 5 children and the kids kind of stare eachother down through mass. I do understand what people mean but it could be worse, I could not raise them in church at all. At least I do have enough guts to take 5 of them by myself. I have started taking fruit snacks and little tablets of papers so they can draw. All will be well they just need time I think.

Hi DS friends...not sure if this is ok or not...but I entered one of my guinea pigs in a photo contest...and we need your votes. For the month of April - I'm asking all my pals to vote at least once a day (it says only one vote per computer) so that we can at least get in the running.
I know this has nothing to do with depression - but my animals (as you have heard me go on and on about) are my shining lights in my life.
I am very grateful for anyone that will participate daily. Here is the link - SHE'S PHOTO #7 - Candi - the white fluffy guinea pig sitting by the Christmas Sleigh.
http://hhgerbilry.com/gerbilshow1.h...

I would try to remember that anyone who has children at this church knows where you are at right now and even though it seems like they don't remember having little ones that they most likely do remember. Does your church have a daycare during service? I would use that if possible. If not, then do the best you can. That's really all you can do. You are doing best by exposing your children to church on Sunday so how can you be looked down on for "their" misbehavior. They're just beautiful little blessings!

Another thing I thought of. Do you have adult friends in the service you can sit near? If so, try getting your most difficult children (the youngest ones I assume) to sit beside two other adults rather than you or your other children. I've noticed that mine did better in the past when either sitting beside an adult or teenager they hardly knew or sitting with another adult friend of ours. They always do good for other people and you would be right down the same row a few feet nearby. I bet this would work!

Maybe you are expecting too much for them to sit quietly for an hour. Do you not have a crying room in your church? If our three are being particularly whacky we just hole up in there the entire mass. Peace be with you. *wink*

Hello. I attend church with my 3 youngest children 9, 7, 6. Most of the time my son (6) is the one who likes to act up. Since I know that one of them is gonna be bad I sit toward the back so less people will be affected by the way they move around or chatter. Sometimes I take them to the restroom and tell them if they don't behave I will spank them and then they know they have to behave. Also I try not to sit them around other kids 'cuz that makes them act up more. Hope this helps you alittle bit.

I know what you're saying. My kids are a nightmare at church! All 3 have autism spectrum conditions plus ADHD. Sometimes we end up going home in the middle of the service. It can be very awkward and embarassing. I feel frustrated and wonder if we're better off staying home. My 7-year-old has been kicked out of his class and even called stupid by his Sunday school teacher. People have criticized me for not "controlling" my kids. It makes me want to dump them off at the persons house for the afternoon while I take a break!

oh I know what you are only going thru. I only have one but I feel the same issues. I can't even keep him quiet much less 5! my heart goes out to you.

at first I was taking ds to dh's church full of elderly people. you can hear a pin drop in there. it's 1.5 hrs long with no nursery. we had to give that up!
I got nothing out of it b/c I was trying to deal with ds all the time (he's 5) and I felt like people were judging me for how I dealt with him. it was awful.

then I started taking him to "my" new church and blessings --- they have a junior church. kids 4-8 sit in the main sanctuary for about 8 minutes and then have a Children's Chat and then go upstairs. it is heavenly. I have trouble keeping ds quiet for those 8 minutes though. he just has a lot of energy. I think most other parents sympathesize but every now and they you get an older couple who's forgotten what it's like to see young kids and makes a face. I just pray for them haha. mostly I think other parents just block it out completely and don't really notice.

but maybe your church would start a junior church? or maybe you could find a teen/tween to help you and sit at the other end of your pew to quasi babysit with you.

do you think it might help to tell the kids whoever is quietest the most gets a special treat after lunch? make it a contest? probably not huh?

best wishes...