Moms Talk: Sunday Morning Struggle

Our Moms Council addresses your concerns about parenting, motherhood, teenage and toddler troubles and anything in between.

Join in the conversation! We want to hear your thoughts, so drop them in the comment box below. Our questioning readers will appreciate your help.

This week, our Moms Council answered this question:

"We're Catholic and each Sunday we attend morning Mass. My 9-year-old son, like clockwork, puts up a fuss each and every time. He will 'run away,' which means he'll run to the back yard and hide behind our shed until we need to leave for church. He complains the entire ride there, and pouts and complains the entire Mass. 

My husband and I were raised Catholic and we like that Sunday Mass is something we can all do as a family. I try and explain that to my son, that it's very important to me that he be there, but it doesn't seem to matter. I don't know what to do at this point. Should I stop forcing him to go even though I would like for my whole family to keep up this tradition? 

Thanks in advance for your advice!"

Moms Council member Kathleen Gracia suggests:

I think that it is very important that you continue to go to Mass every Sunday with your whole family. You shouldn’t let him stay home—tell him that the entire family is going to Mass together.  Most kids go through a stage that they don't want to go to Mass/church service.  I feel that this is very important and my children go to church every Sunday, and we all go as a family, so I know how this is important to you. Maybe put together a "church bag" that has a book, paper, colored pencils or crayons, a package of pipe cleaners or anything that he can quietly sit and do during mass. Maybe you can add things slowly to the "church bag" if he does not put up a fuss on Sunday mornings. Do not give in and do not let him stay home. Be strong. Good Luck.

Moms Council member Heidi McDonald says:

I can't tell you what you should do about this, but I will share that I was forced to go to church every Sunday for all 18 years of my childhood, and that is a major reason why I am deliberately non-religious as an adult. ;) 

Email all questions you have for our Mom Council to: beauchamp.sarah1@gmail.com. Include any details (child’s age, etc.) that will help our Council better answer your queries. Ask anything! They’re hear to listen and advise, whenever you need!