Save Big – Use Code GETFLOW for Extra 15% Off Shop Now →

Forums > Social Chat > Spinners with Children - please read!

Login/Join to Participate

TinklePantsGOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom


Posted:
Ok I have some burning questions for spinny people and their sprogs.

When you go to a meet, be it a local monthly/weekly event or something big like Play or Falmouth, do you bring your kids or do you drop them off at grandparents, relatives etc?

The reason I'm asking is that I'm probably going to have to bring mine along with me, which will be a pain as it's a long journey from the scottish highlands to any uk destination! Please note that I havent even been back to wales to visit my mum since I moved here over three years ago due to the travel problems.

Am I setting myself unrealistic goals here? I mean, when i get to where I'm going, will i struggle to cope? Will the camp ground be relatively safe? Will I be able to mingle and juggle the kids at the same time without getting stressed out? Anyone managed to do this?

Cheers
A Stressed Out Tink eek biggrin

Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible


Mint SauceBRONZE Member
veteran
1,453 posts
Location: Lancs England


Posted:
bring them many hoppers do they will have a great time

before i met those lot i thought they'd be a bunch of dreadlocked hippies that smoked, set things on fire ,and drank a lot of tea but then when i met them....oh wait (PyroWill)


TinklePantsGOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom


Posted:
thing is, they're both under six and i dont want to go to all that trouble and have the eldest sulking as she's bored. Although she can poi lol

Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible


Mint SauceBRONZE Member
veteran
1,453 posts
Location: Lancs England


Posted:
no seriously people do bring there kids to a lot of poi meets some dont and tend to leave them with relatives but from the meets iv been to they have all been kid friendly you do get the odd sulk but thats what kids do best smile

before i met those lot i thought they'd be a bunch of dreadlocked hippies that smoked, set things on fire ,and drank a lot of tea but then when i met them....oh wait (PyroWill)


misscorinthianSILVER Member
old hand
784 posts
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom


Posted:
I am planning to leave mine behind for ones that involve an overnight stay- but bring them to stuff I can do as a day out...

I understand your concerns. I guess you aren't going to know if the campsites are safe until you get there, unless you manage to speak to people who have already been to specific places with their kids.

As for the coping/mingling thing- if as Mint Sauce says lots of others bring their little-uns, I am sure there will be some sympathetic people in the same boat, who would prob gladly look after yours for a bit while you go do spinny stuff- if you return the favour for them.

On the sulky bored thing tho- I don't think you can ever predict when they are going to do that, or how to get them out if it. Cross your fingers for good weather I reckon.

I hope you don't get so stressed that you decide not to go to any of the events. I'm sure loads of people will be looking forward to meeting you hug

XLenX

Devoted although mostly absent owner of the 1, the original... Asena


Gayle......!SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,444 posts
Location: Bristol !!!!!!, United Kingdom


Posted:
I'd advise you to speak to Becci. she brings her two kids along to most meets and we all know them now. They get on fine and have a great time.

Gayle.....!


TinklePantsGOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom


Posted:
i doubt it, she's not in good health. frown and i dont like to ask because of it.

Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible


SymBRONZE Member
Geek-enviro-hippy priest
1,858 posts
Location: Diss, Norfolk, United Kingdom


Posted:
Although I don't have kids, I am interested in making PLAY festival as kid friendly as possable.

Let us know if we can do anything to help - maybe setting up a nursery with people taking shifts or something, so you mums and dads can go have fun without them...I'm sure Dunc will be interested in that.....

Send me a PM if you have any ideas

There's too many home fires burning and not enough trees


SkulduggeryGOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales


Posted:
Two questions Tink
1. Have you or your children ever been camping before?

If you are a confident camper and feel happy under canvas (or whatever it is they make tents from now days) that confidence will pass on to your kids and they will feel happier about sleeping. Over tired kids lead to temper tantrums, whining and not much fun for either the parent or the child, so sleep is a key to having a good time. So maybe a few sleep outs in the garden before going could be in order.

2. Are your children out going?

Children that are out going in a group will find it easier to turn up in a campsite full of strangers and not feel utterly overwhelmed.

My sister and I have been taking my 2 nieces to festivals since they were 4 and 6. I'm not going to lie and say we've never had problems or sulks because we have, but if you ask the girls now what they liked doing most in the summer as kids (they are 15 and 17 now) they will probably say holidays and festivals.

HoP meets like Falmouth have so many people there that there will always be someone willing to keep an eye on your kids whilst you have a break. There is also more to do than just spinning. There is the beach to play on and places near by to visit like the Eden project.

It might be an idea to break them into spinning meets gently by going to a few day meets with them so they can get to know some other HoP members. That way when they turn up to a big meet there will be a few familiar faces.

I for one think it's great that we have a whole range of ages at meets, from the unborn (Edan at Play last year) to the toddlers, to the oldies like me biggrin I think it makes for more fun. Sometimes it takes a childs eye to teach us oldies a thing or two.

Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!


animatEdBRONZE Member
1 + 1 = 3
3,540 posts
Location: Bristol UK


Posted:
Plus immaturity and sillyness is what's done best at big meets... The kids will fit right in! biggrin

Empty your mind. Be formless, Shapeless, like Water.
Put Water into a cup, it becomes the cup, put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, put water into a teapot, it becomes the teapot.
Water can flow, or it can Crash.
Be Water My Friend.


DuncGOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom


Posted:
I can't speak for older kids but we took little Edan camping at Bristol JC when he was two weeks old, and although of course it was extra work it was totally worth it.

I can't remember who they are online, but a couple brought their baby to Falmouth I and II and I'm pretty sure they had a great time.

We'll have baby facilities at PLAY Festival so please bring them with, we'll be happy to find ways to entertain them so you can have a break.

It's up to you, but I'd suggest if you don't try it you will never know how well a weekender will work with them. I know it's far far easier without them, and it's not like you'll want them with you for every meet you go to but bring them and get them involved, and if anything else it's a great way to knacker them out for a night of uninterupted fun biggrin

hug

Let's relight this forum ubblove


becciPancake Maker
151 posts
Location: south wales


Posted:
As gayle said, my 2 love to come along (they are 5 and 8). My mum is pretty good at having them for one nighters, but I hate asking her too often.
When it comes to the longer ones, I tend to have to take them along, but they have a great time. Everyone is so helpful, i hope they realise how much I appreciate it, sometimes it is so hard to get a bit of time to yourself, but HoP people are amazing, and quite often I end up with the odd hour off.
Normally though if I can for festivals and meets I try to only take one of them as one is much easier to keep an eye on. (And Frodo has been known to provide an excellent baby sitting service at big green gathering)
With Falmouth it helps having a brother nearby to take one off my hands for a night or two. (Gelfling and Mel even took one of mine off to the Eden Project with them one day, everyone really is so great)

I'm not going to lie to you, it's hard work and can be pretty stressful, my daughter in particular is pretty out going and likes to cling onto people and sometimes I just wish she wouldn't as I know people don't come along to meets to have a child hassling them. To be honest it would be great to know there were going to be other children there as I'm sure they would keep each other occupied.

Mine are very used to camping, but if yours aren't then go for a 1 nighter first. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks, extra blankets etc. I find snow suits are particularly good for late nights, and a pushchair or wheelbarrow (even for older kids, great if its raining, and you can carry all their junk around on it too)
Can't think of anything else at the moment, but good luck and be brave.

Dunc I would like to talk to you about kiddy stuff at play sometime, as I am quite happy to get involved. Last year mine had such a great time, thank you.

dani_babybooSILVER Member
addict
667 posts
Location: Cannock, staffordshire, United Kingdom


Posted:
i take my son along to clapham common and everyne is great
at first i kept putting it off because i was worried being a mum and taking my child to meet strangers and them probably not liking a kid hangingaround cause they wanted to spin but shay fitted in well especially with linden rathen and woft

he had a good time and it was only when they started fire spinning that i really had to keep an eye on him because of the dangers...

also rikstik brings his son down to clapham


h what is play festival and all theseother festivals ppl are speaking about i have no idea about them???

enticed, entrapped, entombed.
intoxicated, impaled, ingested.
bewitched, beaten, broken.
enter the love realm...
insert ur token

o jej, ale bym ci wylizal ten pepek

stepped up promotions


DuncGOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom


Posted:
Written by: becci

ine are very used to camping, but if yours aren't then go for a 1 nighter first. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks, extra blankets etc. I find snow suits are particularly good for late nights, and a pushchair or wheelbarrow (even for older kids, great if its raining, and you can carry all their junk around on it too)
Can't think of anything else at the moment, but good luck and be brave.

Dunc I would like to talk to you about kiddy stuff at play sometime, as I am quite happy to get involved. Last year mine had such a great time, thank you.




Your daughter is ace! biggrin It was a pleasure seeing her running about at play, glad you all enjoyed yourself so much, we're very happy to have you help with this years fest, thanks! hug PM me smile

Written by: dani

what is play festival and all theseother festivals ppl are speaking about i have no idea about them




PLAY Festival is a festival I put on each year (well, last year was the first but hopefully it'll run for a few years yet) just for people like us who like to do things like we do. With live music, shows, fire, workshops, fun and all sort of things smile

The new website will be up shortly, keep your eyes posted smile

All the other things they talk about can generally be found in the event forum, or by word of mouth at places like Clapham smile

Let's relight this forum ubblove


NYCNYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA


Posted:
The internet is funny. I totally assumed you were like 14.

ubblol

Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]


Fine_Rabid_DogInternet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...


Posted:
I can soooo see how that would happen. wink

The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."


SethisBRONZE Member
Pooh-Bah
1,762 posts
Location: York University, United Kingdom


Posted:
spank NYC + FRD wink

But Henry, I thought you were an 8 year old stealing your parent's computer? biggrin ubbangel hug

After much consideration, I find that the view is worth the asphyxiation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.


Fine_Rabid_DogInternet Hate Machine
10,530 posts
Location: They seek him here, they seek him there...


Posted:
Oh, its hardly stealing biggrin

The existance of flamethrowers says that someone, somewhere, at sometime said "I need to set that thing on fire, but it's too far away."


dani_babybooSILVER Member
addict
667 posts
Location: Cannock, staffordshire, United Kingdom


Posted:
Written by: Dunc


Written by: dani

what is play festival and all theseother festivals ppl are speaking about i have no idea about them




PLAY Festival is a festival I put on each year (well, last year was the first but hopefully it'll run for a few years yet) just for people like us who like to do things like we do. With live music, shows, fire, workshops, fun and all sort of things smile

The new website will be up shortly, keep your eyes posted smile

All the other things they talk about can generally be found in the event forum, or by word of mouth at places like Clapham smile




thanx il take a look
may be good to see how these things are organised i have to organize a fundraiser music festival for 2007

enticed, entrapped, entombed.
intoxicated, impaled, ingested.
bewitched, beaten, broken.
enter the love realm...
insert ur token

o jej, ale bym ci wylizal ten pepek

stepped up promotions


dani_babybooSILVER Member
addict
667 posts
Location: Cannock, staffordshire, United Kingdom


Posted:
so planned dates this year?? or not decided yet

enticed, entrapped, entombed.
intoxicated, impaled, ingested.
bewitched, beaten, broken.
enter the love realm...
insert ur token

o jej, ale bym ci wylizal ten pepek

stepped up promotions


TinklePantsGOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom


Posted:
skully - I have been camping, once when I was 10 lol we have a stoned, shared back yard as we live in some flats, so camping out the back is off the cards. Stephanie, who is five, will talk to strangers easily, even after I tell her off about it. Kirsty's still a baby at 9 1/2 months, but she'll be over a year old by the time the easter falmouth meet comes up. Day meets don't happen up here. Although I did take the girls down the park to meet up with Burningoftheclavey a few months back smile

Becci: My daughter is the same. I took her to a Belanos Meeting (Belanos is the official name for my spinning group, apparently.... learn something new every day! rolleyes) at the theatre so we could sit down and discuss the future of the group. She ran about red faced for an hour with the organiser's toddler, so they kind of looked after each other, bless!

Dani: Seeing as linden owns me, he has a moral obligation to ensure the safety of his property ubblol wink

Dunc and Sym: sounds like a plan, Dudes!

I'm assuming Mynci and LilMissSmartyPants is going to go to these too. Seeing as LMSP my little sister, she too has a moral obligation, to DO AS I SAY wink and if she takes dominic, who is two, I'd gladly watch him for he if she watches mine biggrin I've never even met my 2yr old nephew, so it will be more than just a meet, it will be a family reunion! And if screech is going with my other sister, I'm sure they'd lend a hand, but I can't keep pawning the kids off with my family. Although I can try wink

Now for the travel arrangements I'm pretty stuck. I will have to go and get some top-up lessons, pass my test, and buy a car. How I'm going to do this I don't know. I'm hoping to win the lottery ubblol but as a safety net, i'm saving up. rolleyes It takes 10 hours to drive to my mum, whom I will stay with overnight, to break down the journey, then its off to cornwall, or the midlands, etc.

What's worrying me most is at night, when they're asleep (eventually) and its dark, i'd like a burn, or a spin with beamers and stuff, but leaving them alone wouldn't really be an option. Unless I call upon the powers of the family. No not the mob, my family ubblol

Cheers guys for your help, it asserts the fact that this is one wonderfully helpful and caring community to belong too ubblove hug smile

Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible


dani_babybooSILVER Member
addict
667 posts
Location: Cannock, staffordshire, United Kingdom


Posted:
im sure the baby will have a pushchair and the 5 year ld prob wont sleep with all the excitement about but im sure when your fire spinning someone will keep hold of her and just get her to watch you and then taking it in turns to spin

thats what i did for rik

enticed, entrapped, entombed.
intoxicated, impaled, ingested.
bewitched, beaten, broken.
enter the love realm...
insert ur token

o jej, ale bym ci wylizal ten pepek

stepped up promotions


PyroWillGOLD Member
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom


Posted:
You could just sell your kids Tink and use the money for your train fare

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind

Give a man a fish and he'll eat 4 a day hit a man with a brick and you can have all his fish and his wife

"Will's to pretty for prison" - Simian


KyrianDreamer
4,308 posts
Location: York, England


Posted:
Awwwww but little dominic is lurvely! Altho I've seen her do a fair bit of chasing him tongue But older ones are generally a little better. I went to loads of stuff with my mum when I was little, and mostly liked it, just, giving them a space like a tent they can hide in, even if its a day event, really helps if they get over tired.



And I'd be perfectly happy to play with older kids at festies some of the time(depending on the child starting as young as 3 or 4 otherwise anyone who's at least six should be fine) if they're bored/ not into poi/ wanting to cause trouble/ parents want to run away for awhile... Of course I won't be available until october of this year, but after that you'll have three years of me running around smile ubblove hug (Kyri's get overwhelmed at festies very very easily as well!!)



P.S. I sooooo want to go run around in inverness sometime how did i never ever notice you lived up there?????

Keep your dream alive
Dreamin is still how the strong survive

Shalom VeAhavah

New Hampshire has a point....


SkulduggeryGOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales


Posted:
If you and your kids have never been camping and you have no back garden to pitch a tent to practice in, do you have any friends with a garden that you could use? It really helps to know the children are used to sleeping in a tent. It will be one less thing for you to worry about. Oh and do you already have a tent?

Don't worry about being able to put the tent up and watch the kids when you reach the meet. Just give a yell and I'm sure a friendly tent Pixie will come and put it up for you.

As for your worries about having the kids sleeping in the tent and you spinning. It's no big deal. We can take it in turns to sit and chill outside the tents. That way there will always be someone there if the kids wake up. Also Becci's wheelbarrow/large pram advice is invaluable. It's so much easier to move a sleeping 5 year old in a wheelbarrow than trying to carry them. Also a wheelbarrow is wind proof so if they do fall asleep just cover them up with thick blankets to keep them warm. Hey Presto cosy kids!

Easter at Falmouth last year was pretty cold. If we do go back to the same campsite there is a lodge/converted barn house. It costs more but it might be worth it with little children. I stayed in there last easter and it's really nice ubblol .

Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!


newgabeSILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia


Posted:
I've been taking my son to spinny things for years. Now he takes me wink

.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....


dani_babybooSILVER Member
addict
667 posts
Location: Cannock, staffordshire, United Kingdom


Posted:
the testing if kids will sleep in a tent is good advice if they been used to there one bed since babys

but if like mine they used to sleeping where ever then it probably wont be a great problem

shay will sleep where ever he falls be it a floor, bed, sofa or out on my balcony in the summer

enticed, entrapped, entombed.
intoxicated, impaled, ingested.
bewitched, beaten, broken.
enter the love realm...
insert ur token

o jej, ale bym ci wylizal ten pepek

stepped up promotions


PyroWillGOLD Member
HoP's Barman. Trapped aged 6 months
4,437 posts
Location: Staines, United Kingdom


Posted:
I once slept in a fish tank, I woke up with ornaments all around me and gravel marks on my forehead, was quite moving

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind

Give a man a fish and he'll eat 4 a day hit a man with a brick and you can have all his fish and his wife

"Will's to pretty for prison" - Simian


DuncGOLD Member
playing the days away
7,263 posts
Location: The Middle lands, United Kingdom


Posted:
Thank God you have gills Will or we'd have one less HoPper to play with!

Let's relight this forum ubblove



Similar Topics Server is too busy. Please try again later. No similar topics were found
      Show more..

HOP Newsletter

Subscribe now for updates on sales, new arrivals, and exclusive offers!