I wouldn't get anything out of the service, and I doubt the children would either. It's a personal and private thing for me. In fact, I don't even like going to church with people I know. It was then that I became aware that not all people think about children and liturgy as I do - in fact, I was surprised to find out that not all mothers feel the same way. I want to respect other points of view and honor the need for contemplative prayer, but I would hate to leave children out of the service in order to achieve this.
Children can be a gift to a worshipping community.
I love watching Henry, now two and a half years old, at Eucharist. After he receives both bread and wine, and while the other people are receiving, he wiggles out of my arms and walks up to the Table. He has a favorite priest, M.R. Ritley, whose vestments he tugs at signaling that he'd like some more please. M.R. usually looks down, smiles and offers him more bread. He then runs back to me and sits on the floor to enjoy his bounty.