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Turns out we did a poll about this over a year ago. Time to revisit the subject. Quite a few new members among us.

As always, vote and discuss.

We generally have “cry rooms” where fussy children and parents can sit. It is a room with a large window that looks onto the altar. It allows the parents to hear the service while suppressing noise for the rest of the congregation.

Give the mother some time to calm the baby- yes you may have a cry room with a large window but if there are enough babies/toddlers back there that are fussing you don't hear the sermon and it is not the same. For mom's that are home all day all week, they need this time to be with others - I in no way feel a baby should be crying and fussing nonstop but give her time and cut her some slack.

QuietlyListening wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:58 am Give the mother some time to calm the baby- yes you may have a cry room with a large window but if there are enough babies/toddlers back there that are fussing you don't hear the sermon and it is not the same. For mom's that are home all day all week, they need this time to be with others - I in no way feel a baby should be crying and fussing nonstop but give her time and cut her some slack.

I believe you have made an incorrect assumption. We let the mothers decide for themselves if they want to go to the cry room. We do not usher them there. We believe that the mothers can make that call and often do. The sound system in the cry room is quite good yet sometimes mothers will choose to lower the volume on the panel: their choice.

Socialisation opportunities are available at the coffee and nibbles do after Mass.

We let the mothers decide for themselves if they want to go to the cry room. We do not usher them there. We believe that the mothers can make that call and often do.

I'm not saying your church does this but some churches may not usher a mom back but the culture/expectation is - go back if the baby/toddler fusses at all. No allowance for time to quiet them. Unwritten expectation.

QuietlyListening wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 7:15 am

We let the mothers decide for themselves if they want to go to the cry room. We do not usher them there. We believe that the mothers can make that call and often do.

I'm not saying your church does this but some churches may not usher a mom back but the culture/expectation is - go back if the baby/toddler fusses at all. No allowance for time to quiet them. Unwritten expectation.

Interesting. I have I have never seen this to be enacted but then if it is an unwritten expectation I suppose I would not see it.

I know all women aren't able to breastfeed, but nursing a fussy baby frequently works quickly. The church needs to be fully supportive of this and clear that it does not offend the value of "modesty".

When Jesus was speaking to crowds of thousands I doubt there were cry rooms, nor did he send the little children away.

MaxPC wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:43 am We generally have “cry rooms” where fussy children and parents can sit. It is a room with a large window that looks onto the altar. It allows the parents to hear the service while suppressing noise for the rest of the congregation.

At the last Mass I attended, the cry room was the foyer at the main entrance. It did provide a chance to visit with the other young parents. My son at the time was learning what water was and decided to go splash around the holy water.

Josh wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 8:35 am

MaxPC wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 6:43 am We generally have “cry rooms” where fussy children and parents can sit. It is a room with a large window that looks onto the altar. It allows the parents to hear the service while suppressing noise for the rest of the congregation.

At the last Mass I attended, the cry room was the foyer at the main entrance. It did provide a chance to visit with the other young parents. My son at the time was learning what water was and decided to go splash around the holy water.

Your son is thoroughly blessed now then? Good on him!

I have seen young fathers take the fussy babes outside too; and you are right, it becomes a social meeting with other young parents. I have no problem with that either. Most of our parents retreat with their chronically fussy babes out of consideration for others so others can hear the Mass. One older gentleman likes to go to the cry room on occasion because he cannot hear the liturgy unless he is able to turn up the volume. The sound system in the cry room is perfect for that.

If you can't preach over a crying child,
you don't have much preach in you.

Let the mother/father do whatever they think best.