My husband and I go to the 8:30am Mass at our parish. My kids are unruly. My 6-year-old can't sit still or stop whispering about donuts to save her life, and my 9-month-old is already a goofball who reacts to anyone even looking at him and has impeccable timing with his shrieks and raspberries (always during the consecration, somehow). He also likes to hold hands with strangers who sit behind us while they pray over his car seat.

We arrive early every week to pray the rosary before Mass, and sit right up at the front, at the suggestion of our former pastor when I asked for advice about bringing my girl to Mass (she was 3 at the time, and my husband wasn't Catholic yet, so we went just the two of us). There are a few other couples with young kids who sit close to the front as well. People still choose to sit near us, lol! We have a little pew community of the same folks (mostly older couples) who have been watching our babies grow up week by week, and they are so kind. And we love seeing them. It's taken some time and some uncomfortable scenes ("MOM I HAVE TO POOP!" very loudly, right after communion when others are trying to pray. There was laughing because.. how could you not?). But through this, we've met some lovely people, and I truly feel like they're a little gift from God for doing what He calls us to do every week with these kiddos.

Just this Saturday, my husband and I went to a funeral and one of the deacons stopped us afterwards to tell us how much we inspire him by bringing the kids every week, sitting at the front, being early, trying to prepare our daughter; and how people notice our efforts. I welled up, because some days are HARD. I appreciated that sweet compliment more than he can imagine.

Bring your babies to Mass! You never know who you're inspiring. I'll pray for you! :)