While I think it is important for kids to pay attention in Church, I know it's not always a reality. We're Catholic so Mass usually lasts an hour...holy days and weddings are longer. And with three boys under the age of 5, we're usually playing zone defense trying to stop them from getting out of the pew.
Our oldest is usually good about Church. We actually refer to him as "Father Liam" because he makes sure we pray (sometimes twice) before meals. He's very spiritual and has a consoling spirit. It's the 9 month old and two year old that we have to worry about.
We always try to make sure we have puffs and biter biscuits for the baby and fruit snacks and cheerios for the toddler to keep them happy and occupied. I have no trouble nursing the baby during Mass (Jesus was breastfed, after all) and a mom has to do what she has to do to keep kids quiet.
We have a special "Church bag" of books and QUIET toys that the kids only see on Sunday. That way it is special. The books are hard pages (so no ripping) and don't make noise. The toys are also quiet toys (cars and such) as to not interrupt the other worshipers.
When it comes to the snacks though, be sure to check the bag before Church. On more than one occasion we've had snacks in a Ziploc baggie that had a hole in it. Whoops. Most of Mass was spent picking up and hiding the treats that fell on the floor (so the boys wouldn't eat them) and trying to stop them from eating food off of the floor.
Good luck. Before you know it they'll be surly teens who are too cool for Church. But for now they're just children. And as Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
I have a bag like that too. Although now that Chase is 10 months old getting him through a service is next to impossible. For some reason he thinks church is the place to be as loud as possible.
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