Forums > Social Chat > parental guidelines at festivals
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Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Posted:
I was discussing this with Clare earlier and was wondering if any of you could add to this.
At a festival (eg, Play, Southern Lights, etc) do you think there should be guidelines for parents?
For example i think that parents should take responsibility for their children and not think that because they know everyone at the festival that the child is safe and can run around willy nilly.
Sure the kids ARE safe, but it means that the responsibility of those children are then put on someone elses shoulders.
Now, I don't have children, but if I did I wouldnt want them to see me wasted, see my friends wasted and to generally see the naughtiness that happens at festivals.
Also, at shows where kids heckle and you want them to shut up, and you are wondering "where on earth are this kids parents?"
any thoughts?
I was discussing this with Clare earlier and was wondering if any of you could add to this.
At a festival (eg, Play, Southern Lights, etc) do you think there should be guidelines for parents?
For example i think that parents should take responsibility for their children and not think that because they know everyone at the festival that the child is safe and can run around willy nilly.
Sure the kids ARE safe, but it means that the responsibility of those children are then put on someone elses shoulders.
Now, I don't have children, but if I did I wouldnt want them to see me wasted, see my friends wasted and to generally see the naughtiness that happens at festivals.
Also, at shows where kids heckle and you want them to shut up, and you are wondering "where on earth are this kids parents?"
any thoughts?
Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
I do agree...
While noone is trying to tell parents how to do their job, or suggest that festivals aren't great places for kids.... it does seem, perhaps, that maybe some guidelines would be a good idea... so parents know what to expect at a festival...
Things like:
Children should be accompanied at all times
Or
While this is a family-orientated event, adult activities will be happening, so please show due care and attention for your child, if you do not want them to be exposed to this...
Or Something
What do other people think?
Like I said... this is not in any way intended to preach or dictate to parents... but, if some child or children is uncared for, neglected or let to run wild at festivals, it puts pressure on other people to look after them and that can really damage the experience for unsuspecting, considerate folk.
I do agree...
While noone is trying to tell parents how to do their job, or suggest that festivals aren't great places for kids.... it does seem, perhaps, that maybe some guidelines would be a good idea... so parents know what to expect at a festival...
Things like:
Children should be accompanied at all times
Or
While this is a family-orientated event, adult activities will be happening, so please show due care and attention for your child, if you do not want them to be exposed to this...
Or Something
What do other people think?
Like I said... this is not in any way intended to preach or dictate to parents... but, if some child or children is uncared for, neglected or let to run wild at festivals, it puts pressure on other people to look after them and that can really damage the experience for unsuspecting, considerate folk.
Getting to the other side 
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
i think your both spot on and good job bringing this up jo, i've seen loads of kids wadering around at teknivals where 99.999% of people are out of their skulls. i've seen people taking young kids near the sound systems with no ear defenders, and lots more i cant mention.
there dose need to be some resposability from the parents in my view, they seem to think that once at a festival there are no laws, no responsabilitys in the world so the kids often run riot.
also a good way, although mildly humitiating for when a lone child is acting up or heckling during a show is to stop the music, if a spot light is in use train it on said child and announce that they have just volenteered for some special duty (what this duty is i'll leave to your imagination)
i think your both spot on and good job bringing this up jo, i've seen loads of kids wadering around at teknivals where 99.999% of people are out of their skulls. i've seen people taking young kids near the sound systems with no ear defenders, and lots more i cant mention.
there dose need to be some resposability from the parents in my view, they seem to think that once at a festival there are no laws, no responsabilitys in the world so the kids often run riot.
also a good way, although mildly humitiating for when a lone child is acting up or heckling during a show is to stop the music, if a spot light is in use train it on said child and announce that they have just volenteered for some special duty (what this duty is i'll leave to your imagination)
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
... as in?
Written by: _Clare_
While this is a family-orientated event, adult activities will be happening, so please show due care and attention for your child, if you do not want them to be exposed to this...
... as in?
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Yeah, whilst parenting is an individual thing and everyone is entitled to raise their kids how they see fit, if this then infringes on others enjoyment - it becomes an issue.
Whether this is unruly behaviour by the kids annoying everyone, others being made to feel uncomfortable by loud, ineffective disciplining or even just others having their time restricted fostering others without having been asked - it's not fair to others around.
However, try telling a parent this without them biting your head off
Yeah, whilst parenting is an individual thing and everyone is entitled to raise their kids how they see fit, if this then infringes on others enjoyment - it becomes an issue.
Whether this is unruly behaviour by the kids annoying everyone, others being made to feel uncomfortable by loud, ineffective disciplining or even just others having their time restricted fostering others without having been asked - it's not fair to others around.
However, try telling a parent this without them biting your head off
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Rampant drug abuse, sexual deviancy and horrendous language if it's a normal spinning event...
Written by: FireTomWritten by: _Clare_
While this is a family-orientated event, adult activities will be happening, so please show due care and attention for your child, if you do not want them to be exposed to this...
... as in?
Rampant drug abuse, sexual deviancy and horrendous language if it's a normal spinning event...
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Damn. Where?
Damn. Where?
Getting to the other side
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Usually the Burnt Toast members tent...
Usually the Burnt Toast members tent...
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Hahhahahah...
You wish...
Hahhahahah...
You wish...
Getting to the other side
SILVER Member
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
What age we talking here?
I had kids around at the first Play and my sis and kinda worked on the theory that during the day the 2 youngest at 8 and 10 were Ok to do their own thing during the day, but come evening weren't. They're old enough to look after themselves and recognise potential dangers, I'd introduced them to a number of people to go to if they were uncomfortable about anything and i know they're not a p in the a to others by staring/giggling/being generally uncool as they're experienced samll festy/gathering goers. They had a fantabulous time, glittered, face-painted, space-hoppered and poied.
Evening is entirely another thing due to the aforesaid shenanigins which make these events so special to us all
Which isn't to say they only happen in the evening, but certainly at more public gatherings there's a little more awareness of the wider audience, sometimes, maybe, errrm...
And maybe parents should think a bit harder as to whether the evening shows are really going to be appropriate to their kids - esp. things like rengade nights
Babies, toddlers and kids upto to say 5 or 6 should ALWAYS be with an adult who has elected to be their 'guardian' - ie responsibility for a child of that age has to be passed on, not left dangling for anyone (hopefully) to pick up.
As for children heckling - only mildly amusing once, after that they should be shut up forcefully and any parent encouraging them ejected! *starts to talk in vaguely german accent and walking with arms and legs very stiff*
Good thread - I love to see kids enjoying the freedom they're afforded at a gathering (and happily spend time with them to give their parents a break0, but it's not good to feel your own freedom threatened, either by noisy brats or by feeling responible for a child's safety in parentis absentia
for all parents - it's the best and the worst job in the world
Written by: _Clare_
Children should be accompanied at all times
What age we talking here?
I had kids around at the first Play and my sis and kinda worked on the theory that during the day the 2 youngest at 8 and 10 were Ok to do their own thing during the day, but come evening weren't. They're old enough to look after themselves and recognise potential dangers, I'd introduced them to a number of people to go to if they were uncomfortable about anything and i know they're not a p in the a to others by staring/giggling/being generally uncool as they're experienced samll festy/gathering goers. They had a fantabulous time, glittered, face-painted, space-hoppered and poied.
Evening is entirely another thing due to the aforesaid shenanigins which make these events so special to us all
Which isn't to say they only happen in the evening, but certainly at more public gatherings there's a little more awareness of the wider audience, sometimes, maybe, errrm... And maybe parents should think a bit harder as to whether the evening shows are really going to be appropriate to their kids - esp. things like rengade nights
Babies, toddlers and kids upto to say 5 or 6 should ALWAYS be with an adult who has elected to be their 'guardian' - ie responsibility for a child of that age has to be passed on, not left dangling for anyone (hopefully) to pick up.
As for children heckling - only mildly amusing once, after that they should be shut up forcefully and any parent encouraging them ejected! *starts to talk in vaguely german accent and walking with arms and legs very stiff*
Good thread - I love to see kids enjoying the freedom they're afforded at a gathering (and happily spend time with them to give their parents a break0, but it's not good to feel your own freedom threatened, either by noisy brats or by feeling responible for a child's safety in parentis absentia
for all parents - it's the best and the worst job in the world 'The last rays of crimson on the spindle tree as the cerise fruit splits and reveals its orange seeds in a gloriously clashing colour scheme no-one would ever dare to wear'
Euonymous Europeus
BRONZE Member
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Classically British
5,689 posts
Location: Epsom, Surrey, England
Posted:
Sometimes I wish it weren't so - it's hard work being smacked out your head all day, servicing a coach full of groupies and performing the best damn fire show on the planet everyday of a festival.
*sigh* But it's a living
Aaaanyway, we're all excellent responsible parents, so that's ok...
Sometimes I wish it weren't so - it's hard work being smacked out your head all day, servicing a coach full of groupies and performing the best damn fire show on the planet everyday of a festival.
*sigh* But it's a living
Aaaanyway, we're all excellent responsible parents, so that's ok...
Burner of Toast
Spinner of poi
Slacker of enormous magnitude
SILVER Member
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
'The last rays of crimson on the spindle tree as the cerise fruit splits and reveals its orange seeds in a gloriously clashing colour scheme no-one would ever dare to wear'
Euonymous Europeus
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Hahahah... Durbs, you have such a vivid imagination
Wild Child, I'm not a parent, so can't say what age is best suited to be unattended... but I reckon that depends on each individual case.
However, I agree that All children should be accompanied at night time, regardless of age.
In my opinion, during the day, children aged 11/12 may be able to be left alone if they are responsible and not annoying...
Children aged 8-11 could perhaps be left in the care of an older sibling or kindly festival goer (if they agree first! And if it's understood they aren't going to be a babysitter all weekend!) - but again, this depends on the child... disruptive children should not be left without their parents.
Children younger than 8 should not be left alone...
But then, these are just my thoughts... so please don't anyone take them personally
Hahahah... Durbs, you have such a vivid imagination
Wild Child, I'm not a parent, so can't say what age is best suited to be unattended... but I reckon that depends on each individual case.
However, I agree that All children should be accompanied at night time, regardless of age.
In my opinion, during the day, children aged 11/12 may be able to be left alone if they are responsible and not annoying...
Children aged 8-11 could perhaps be left in the care of an older sibling or kindly festival goer (if they agree first! And if it's understood they aren't going to be a babysitter all weekend!) - but again, this depends on the child... disruptive children should not be left without their parents.
Children younger than 8 should not be left alone...
But then, these are just my thoughts... so please don't anyone take them personally
Getting to the other side
SILVER Member
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
I'm not a parent either - I have neices and a nephy. 2 I would happily let loose on a festy but 2 I most definitely wouldn't!! They haven't been brought up to be independent or responsible for themselves and so lack the ability to show respect to others.
It seems all us childless ones are coming up with similar ideas on what we're comfortable with - both from our point of view and from the child's. So now we need to know a few parents;' thoughts - they're the one's who'll make it happen, or otherwise.
I'm not a parent either - I have neices and a nephy. 2 I would happily let loose on a festy but 2 I most definitely wouldn't!! They haven't been brought up to be independent or responsible for themselves and so lack the ability to show respect to others.
It seems all us childless ones are coming up with similar ideas on what we're comfortable with - both from our point of view and from the child's. So now we need to know a few parents;' thoughts - they're the one's who'll make it happen, or otherwise.
'The last rays of crimson on the spindle tree as the cerise fruit splits and reveals its orange seeds in a gloriously clashing colour scheme no-one would ever dare to wear'
Euonymous Europeus
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
I KNEW IT!!!! you do smak you dutty druggy durbs
Written by: Durbs
it's hard work being smacked out your head all day
I KNEW IT!!!! you do smak you dutty druggy durbs SILVER Member
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Posted:
I think, in general, 11 years and older can look after themselves in the day.
Saying this, there are some very mature younger children who respect adults, are kind and helpful and are ok on their own.
Similarly, there are older children who are likely to misbehave.
It all comes down to the individual child, IMHO.
I think, in general, 11 years and older can look after themselves in the day.
Saying this, there are some very mature younger children who respect adults, are kind and helpful and are ok on their own.
Similarly, there are older children who are likely to misbehave.
It all comes down to the individual child, IMHO.
Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
GOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Posted:
I've seen some very bad parenting choices made by people at festivals. It's as if they forget all logic and reason.
I've known people put their kids to bed in a tent and once they are asleep the parent(s) wander off leaving the kids (as young as 4) all by themselves just so they can watch a band or go off to do other activities that they don't want to take their kids along to. I've also seen people lock their sleeping children in cars and wander off for a nights entertainment, thinking that their kids will be safe because no one can get in the car. What if the kids wake up? What if the kids take the hand brake off and the car is on a hill? What if (heaven forbid) the car catches fire?
In normal everyday life I'm sure most of these parents would NEVER do this kind of thing, but for some reason at festivals they think it's ok.
I've seen some very bad parenting choices made by people at festivals. It's as if they forget all logic and reason.
I've known people put their kids to bed in a tent and once they are asleep the parent(s) wander off leaving the kids (as young as 4) all by themselves just so they can watch a band or go off to do other activities that they don't want to take their kids along to. I've also seen people lock their sleeping children in cars and wander off for a nights entertainment, thinking that their kids will be safe because no one can get in the car. What if the kids wake up? What if the kids take the hand brake off and the car is on a hill? What if (heaven forbid) the car catches fire?
In normal everyday life I'm sure most of these parents would NEVER do this kind of thing, but for some reason at festivals they think it's ok.
Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!
SILVER Member
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Posted:
too true Skully.
too true Skully. Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
simple answer......................LEAVE KIDS AT HOME IF YOU WANT TO SPEND A FESTIVAL GETTING WASTED
simple answer......................LEAVE KIDS AT HOME IF YOU WANT TO SPEND A FESTIVAL GETTING WASTED
GOLD Member
Rock is dead, long live paper and scissors
197 posts
Location: The sea, United Kingdom
Rock is dead, long live paper and scissors
197 posts
Location: The sea, United Kingdom
Posted:
I actually spent a lot of the weekend loking after some little folk (well more like hanging round with but heh) and I agree with a lot ofthe stuff here. Butmost parents DO take the resposibility very seriously. Heckling children are a problem but for those of you with kids, newphews, nieces, little folk in general you also know how difficult it is to control young excited ones.
I like kids, most people are more than happy toentertain them for short spaces of time. My only bugbear is when they do start being little
if you are just "watching" them you can't really do anything. (Sit there and deal with it or abandon them to go and get the parent). Unfortunately (or not) you can't just give em a clip round the ear anymore or you'll find yourself in court faster than a white middle class male with an unpaid parking fine.
What to do though? Ban small kids? Strap them to there parents/owners? Or provide more facilities for them? (could be exspensive and hard to get parents to actually utilize).
Not sure I'd want to have to make that descision. Tough call. Deffinately agree as far as the night time schenanigans go though, that made me blush never mind the kiddies!
I actually spent a lot of the weekend loking after some little folk (well more like hanging round with but heh) and I agree with a lot ofthe stuff here. Butmost parents DO take the resposibility very seriously. Heckling children are a problem but for those of you with kids, newphews, nieces, little folk in general you also know how difficult it is to control young excited ones.
I like kids, most people are more than happy toentertain them for short spaces of time. My only bugbear is when they do start being little
if you are just "watching" them you can't really do anything. (Sit there and deal with it or abandon them to go and get the parent). Unfortunately (or not) you can't just give em a clip round the ear anymore or you'll find yourself in court faster than a white middle class male with an unpaid parking fine.What to do though?
Ban small kids? Strap them to there parents/owners? Or provide more facilities for them? (could be exspensive and hard to get parents to actually utilize).Not sure I'd want to have to make that descision. Tough call. Deffinately agree as far as the night time schenanigans go though, that made me blush never mind the kiddies!
Eagles may soar but weasles don't get sucked into jet engines.
Telepath wanted, you know where to apply.
SILVER Member
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Star Trekker
1,733 posts
Location: Cheshire, United Kingdom
Posted:
So message seems to be - Parents we like your kids but think about them and us before yourselves -right?
Sad but true - and hey, they get thesnuggles n cuddles n laughter n fun in compensation
So message seems to be - Parents we like your kids but think about them and us before yourselves -right?
Sad but true
- and hey, they get thesnuggles n cuddles n laughter n fun in compensation 'The last rays of crimson on the spindle tree as the cerise fruit splits and reveals its orange seeds in a gloriously clashing colour scheme no-one would ever dare to wear'
Euonymous Europeus
GOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Posted:
I certainly don't want to ban kids from festivals. I think they have every right to be there. I've had some of the most fun times at festivals playing silly games with younger members of the festival going public. The children aren't usually the problem. It's just some of (and a minority at that)the parents that are.
I understand that parents/guardians want to have fun at festivals too, but if you bring your child along with you it is your child's right to be kept safe and happy. Leaving them alone, in what after all is a strange place, is not acceptable. Leaving them with people they hardly know is also not acceptable. Good parents/guardians who want to do things they don't feel are suitable for their children to join in with, take it in turns to go off and have fun, only leaving the children in the care of someone the kids feel safe with, making an agreement with said person for how long they will be away and where to find them if they are needed.
Parents who dump their children on other festival goers and disappear off for hours at a time drive me nuts. I've had this happen to me on many occasions. Face painters are NOT unpaid baby sitters. Just because someone offers to teach your child to plate spin it does not mean they want to look after your child for 8 hours whilst you wander off to see a few bands and get drunk in the beer tent.
Equally if your kids start playing with someone else's kids, that does not mean the parents of those children want to take on the responsibility of your children for the rest of the day whilst you go to learn to spin poi or tight rope walk.
Oops sorry, this has turned into a bit of a rant, but I do feel that quite often the children that get left to do their own thing get moaned about when really it's their parents that are the problem.
I certainly don't want to ban kids from festivals. I think they have every right to be there. I've had some of the most fun times at festivals playing silly games with younger members of the festival going public. The children aren't usually the problem. It's just some of (and a minority at that)the parents that are.
I understand that parents/guardians want to have fun at festivals too, but if you bring your child along with you it is your child's right to be kept safe and happy. Leaving them alone, in what after all is a strange place, is not acceptable. Leaving them with people they hardly know is also not acceptable. Good parents/guardians who want to do things they don't feel are suitable for their children to join in with, take it in turns to go off and have fun, only leaving the children in the care of someone the kids feel safe with, making an agreement with said person for how long they will be away and where to find them if they are needed.
Parents who dump their children on other festival goers and disappear off for hours at a time drive me nuts. I've had this happen to me on many occasions. Face painters are NOT unpaid baby sitters. Just because someone offers to teach your child to plate spin it does not mean they want to look after your child for 8 hours whilst you wander off to see a few bands and get drunk in the beer tent.
Equally if your kids start playing with someone else's kids, that does not mean the parents of those children want to take on the responsibility of your children for the rest of the day whilst you go to learn to spin poi or tight rope walk.
Oops sorry, this has turned into a bit of a rant, but I do feel that quite often the children that get left to do their own thing get moaned about when really it's their parents that are the problem.
Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!
SILVER Member
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Momma Bear
4,525 posts
Location: Telford, Shrops, United Kingdom
Posted:
Totally agree Skully. Last year at Latitude Festival Sym and I were teaching circus arts. The kids we'd taught in the day caught us up in the evenings, and their parents would be out of their faces, and just leave the kids with us. I got so angry!!!
I was thinking "I've done my teaching, I'm not here to babysit your kids!"
Totally agree Skully. Last year at Latitude Festival Sym and I were teaching circus arts. The kids we'd taught in the day caught us up in the evenings, and their parents would be out of their faces, and just leave the kids with us. I got so angry!!!
I was thinking "I've done my teaching, I'm not here to babysit your kids!"
Hoppers are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
SILVER Member
lapsed spinner
412 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
lapsed spinner
412 posts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posted:
As far as I can recall, in the EJC booklet we had a blurb about parents needing to supervise children at all times. It stressed that while children were welcome at all workshops (provided that they had the minimum skills, if any were needed) their parents should be there too. I don't think we specified what age group we were talking about, it was just more of a common sense thing. We were very wary that people who were very kindly volunteering to give workshops could be viewed as babysitters. We also especially didn't want unaccompanied kids at Renegades where the content can get a bit "adult" at times.
We were hoping at one stage to set up a volunteer childcare area - where parents could arrange shifts looking after each other's kids, and give themselves some time off. But in the end we decided that we couldn't get involved in facilitating such a scheme, in case of disputes between parents, and any implied responsibility on our part.
From an event organiser's perspective, this is a really litigious country (we sue each other even more than Americans) and we couldn't be seen to take responsibility for any injuries caused to kids by hitting themselves in the head with clubs/poi/staff/plates/whatever...or potentially even worse - messing with big tops, generators and all of the other hazards that we made as safe as we could, but still remain dangerous.
It's great when you see parents and kids who have that balance of enjoying themselves and being responsible. I think it really adds to a festival. I hate seeing out of control kids and/or out of their mind parents (although as a non-parent myself, I suppose it's easy to get on my high horse about it.)
As far as I can recall, in the EJC booklet we had a blurb about parents needing to supervise children at all times. It stressed that while children were welcome at all workshops (provided that they had the minimum skills, if any were needed) their parents should be there too. I don't think we specified what age group we were talking about, it was just more of a common sense thing. We were very wary that people who were very kindly volunteering to give workshops could be viewed as babysitters. We also especially didn't want unaccompanied kids at Renegades where the content can get a bit "adult" at times.
We were hoping at one stage to set up a volunteer childcare area - where parents could arrange shifts looking after each other's kids, and give themselves some time off. But in the end we decided that we couldn't get involved in facilitating such a scheme, in case of disputes between parents, and any implied responsibility on our part.
From an event organiser's perspective, this is a really litigious country (we sue each other even more than Americans) and we couldn't be seen to take responsibility for any injuries caused to kids by hitting themselves in the head with clubs/poi/staff/plates/whatever...or potentially even worse - messing with big tops, generators and all of the other hazards that we made as safe as we could, but still remain dangerous.
It's great when you see parents and kids who have that balance of enjoying themselves and being responsible. I think it really adds to a festival. I hate seeing out of control kids and/or out of their mind parents (although as a non-parent myself, I suppose it's easy to get on my high horse about it.)
Helen_of_Poi
EJC Ireland 2006 Organisational Team
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
some very good points brought up,this is the good thing about eastern haze festival..............our kids area is run by a qualified child protection officer and all the workers are strictly checked and all wear recognisable atire (uniform) and it's all free. we thought long and hard about it and it is a place you can leave the kids and relax as most of the points raised have been thought about.
sorry if that comes across as a plug it wasnt ment as one, the fact is kids want to do their own thing and the parents like to relax,sometimes too much but most events dont have a secure place to leave the kids to have their own fun.
drunks and people high on god knows what will not be allowed in the kids area and god help any parent coming to pick up their kid after leaving them there all day rocking up out of their skull
this is only the 2nd year of the festival so i pray this works *fingers and everything else crossed*
some very good points brought up,this is the good thing about eastern haze festival..............our kids area is run by a qualified child protection officer and all the workers are strictly checked and all wear recognisable atire (uniform) and it's all free. we thought long and hard about it and it is a place you can leave the kids and relax as most of the points raised have been thought about.
sorry if that comes across as a plug it wasnt ment as one, the fact is kids want to do their own thing and the parents like to relax,sometimes too much but most events dont have a secure place to leave the kids to have their own fun.
drunks and people high on god knows what will not be allowed in the kids area and god help any parent coming to pick up their kid after leaving them there all day rocking up out of their skull
this is only the 2nd year of the festival so i pray this works *fingers and everything else crossed*
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Getting to the other side
SILVER Member
old hand
768 posts
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
old hand
768 posts
Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Posted:
Interesting that this thread has come up now, as some of the members of my camp for Burning Man are bringing their kids and don't want to camp in kidsville (the kid-friendly village in a "quiet" part of the city) and we've had a whole discussion about it. Mostly, the non-parents in the group were concerned about having to curtail their naughtiness & walking-about-naked-time if the kiddies were around, but the parents have assured us there are no such expectations, and there will be a designated kid area when more mature activities are taking place. We all trust the parents though, to take care of the kids properly, so there's no worries about them being locked in the car all day...
Interesting that this thread has come up now, as some of the members of my camp for Burning Man are bringing their kids and don't want to camp in kidsville (the kid-friendly village in a "quiet" part of the city) and we've had a whole discussion about it. Mostly, the non-parents in the group were concerned about having to curtail their naughtiness & walking-about-naked-time if the kiddies were around, but the parents have assured us there are no such expectations, and there will be a designated kid area when more mature activities are taking place. We all trust the parents though, to take care of the kids properly, so there's no worries about them being locked in the car all day...
taken out of context i must seem so strange
~ ani di franco
BRONZE Member
grumpy poorly froggy
3,999 posts
Location: Nuneaton, United Kingdom
grumpy poorly froggy
3,999 posts
Location: Nuneaton, United Kingdom
Posted:
*festie parent walks into the thread*
it drives me nuts how some parents are with their kids at festies, especialy leaving them in tents unatended while they go off and do their own thing. as far as i am concernd it isn't safe there is no argument on that one. I usualy end up having the kids(not just mine) at my tent or in sight all the time.As a parent you get to learn how to do a bit of socialising while keeping the other eye and most of your ears on the kids. my oldest isn't so hard, he's old enough to look after himself during the day and i expect if he did annoy anyone for them to come and tell me. i wouldn't bite anyones head off about it if i was approached in a nice way. its not happend yet and they did do me proud last year.
if kids were not alowed at festies i wouldn't be able to go.my kids go (aged now 13 and 6) every where with me as not every one has a nice support group around them. It is like this for alot of parents and i for one will not stop having fun in life. i don't however go to these things and get out of my face and do not mind one bit if i miss out on some of the things that happen once its bedtime for the kids.I worried loads last year about them in the tent when i just went to the loo but we tented near a good bunch of peeps who listened out for them if i had to go, or to the dismay of my oldest i would wake him up so he knew where i was.
there are many valid points made and they are mainly the reason why i worry when going to festies with the kids.
*festie parent walks into the thread*
it drives me nuts how some parents are with their kids at festies, especialy leaving them in tents unatended while they go off and do their own thing. as far as i am concernd it isn't safe there is no argument on that one. I usualy end up having the kids(not just mine) at my tent or in sight all the time.As a parent you get to learn how to do a bit of socialising while keeping the other eye and most of your ears on the kids. my oldest isn't so hard, he's old enough to look after himself during the day and i expect if he did annoy anyone for them to come and tell me. i wouldn't bite anyones head off about it if i was approached in a nice way. its not happend yet and they did do me proud last year.
if kids were not alowed at festies i wouldn't be able to go.my kids go (aged now 13 and 6) every where with me as not every one has a nice support group around them. It is like this for alot of parents and i for one will not stop having fun in life. i don't however go to these things and get out of my face and do not mind one bit if i miss out on some of the things that happen once its bedtime for the kids.I worried loads last year about them in the tent when i just went to the loo but we tented near a good bunch of peeps who listened out for them if i had to go, or to the dismay of my oldest i would wake him up so he knew where i was.
there are many valid points made and they are mainly the reason why i worry when going to festies with the kids.
Life's too short to worry about where you put your marshmallows
old hand
898 posts
Location: Binstead, Isle of Wight
898 posts
Location: Binstead, Isle of Wight
Posted:
Well, thanks Ravehead. I shall lock myself and my baby up the whole summer and not do anything until she graduates?!
Written by: ravehead
simple answer......................LEAVE KIDS AT HOME IF YOU WANT TO SPEND A FESTIVAL GETTING WASTED
Well, thanks Ravehead. I shall lock myself and my baby up the whole summer and not do anything until she graduates?!
Ask a question and be a fool for a minute...don't ask and be a fool your whole life.
BRONZE Member
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Still wiggling
5,967 posts
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK)
Posted:
Ermmm... there's nothing wrong with going to a festival and Not getting wasted... if you have small children.
Taking drugs isn't a basic need... protecting children is.
Ermmm... there's nothing wrong with going to a festival and Not getting wasted... if you have small children.
Taking drugs isn't a basic need... protecting children is.
Getting to the other side
Part-time genius
59 posts
Location: Netherlands
59 posts
Location: Netherlands
Posted:
There are shades of grey in this particular matter. It's possible to be a responsible parent at a festival, as a couple of posters in this thread have shown. He also said that you should maybe leave the kids at home, not stay yourself, and then only if you want to get wasted (which would be entirely irresponsible if you're supposed to be looking after kids).
I know what Ravehead says can be controversial at times, but he made a good point there. Please don't put words in people's mouth and then bite their heads off. It's just not cricket.
Written by: FiretrampWritten by: ravehead
simple answer......................LEAVE KIDS AT HOME IF YOU WANT TO SPEND A FESTIVAL GETTING WASTED
Well, thanks Ravehead. I shall lock myself and my baby up the whole summer and not do anything until she graduates?!
There are shades of grey in this particular matter. It's possible to be a responsible parent at a festival, as a couple of posters in this thread have shown. He also said that you should maybe leave the kids at home, not stay yourself, and then only if you want to get wasted (which would be entirely irresponsible if you're supposed to be looking after kids).
I know what Ravehead says can be controversial at times, but he made a good point there. Please don't put words in people's mouth and then bite their heads off. It's just not cricket.
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