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curmudgeoness

Mother of two boys here. We first took them to Mansfield 2 in 2008; they were nine and eleven at the time, and they had a blast. Yes, they wore earplugs. Yes, people were smoking -- although, as I have mentioned before, people around us were considerate enough to ask before lighting up (we did not hassle them). No, they were not "props;" we did not have 10C seats, and we were not close to the stage. On the way out, they got to see some drunk guys urinating on their cars in the parking lot; now they know that people do silly things when they are drunk.

We also took the boys to all four Philly shows, and they are going to Newark with us next week. We felt that they were ready to go to the concerts with us, and frankly the shows all have gone much better than I ever anticipated. My older son has special needs, and I never would have taken him when he was ten or younger, but he really has had a blast.

Having said all that, well, it is my opinion that taking an infant or a toddler to a concert is a very, very bad idea. Infants need to be fed and changed all the time, and they need to sleep. Toddlers do NOT want to be held or to be made to sit still for extended periods; they have just learned how to use their legs, and they want to get out there and explore.

SoonForgotten2

Thank god for GA in Europe. The last thing I want is my Pearl Jam gig turned into fuckin Romper Room.

dimitrispearljam

share10 wrote:

dimitris don't get me wrong, I'm not saying kids shouldn't be at a show period - I'm questioning why some people are bringing their kids in the first place, of late, and if it's for the kid or is it for mom and dad, or maybe it's what mom and dad think the kid wants because they shook their pampers to evenflow - parenting is a lot of weighing out pros and cons and consequences and I personally heard somebody go on about Ed and getting stuff and getting herself up front somehow and quite frankly in some cases (not all cases) it's really not a fair decision

im with u about parents use their kids..but u know i think most parents love their childs and know whats the best way to protect them..and i guess the most of parents take their kids to any kind of show,thery know that the time is right..im in general very protective to my people,and if i was a parent i would be very careful where i would take them with..

drsluggo

More and more people are bringing their young kids (under 6... I've seen kids that are under 2 there more than a few times now) for props. They hold them up and rush the stage thinking EV will throw a tamborine/pick/whatever.

It's horrible... these kids look like they are bored or tired or whatever, and the parents wait until they can move up close and toss them on their shoulders.

If you think its fine -- its your kid so do what you will. But too many are bringing them to a bad environment when they're well under 10 with the hope they can get attention with them. And that's not everyone, but it getting more and more popular as it works for some people...

HollisBrown

Maybe parents think Big Bird, Barney or Sponge Bob will make an appearance.

ski4

Most of the behavior at a rock show is no different than things that kids see at socially acceptable places to bring them. IE ball games,. local fairs etc. the only diff is the loud noise in my eyes .
also trying to keep them still for a couple + hours.

if you can protect their ears and keep them occupied i see no reason to not bring them.

DewieCox

I think an arena show is always gonna be too much for a small child.

I could see maybe an outdoor show where the kiddies can be taken away from everybody out on the lawn.


Everything will be fine until it's not. It doesn't even take a drunk asshole or excited little kid for crazy shit to happen.


I agree that there are probably alot more people bringin kids b/c Ed points them out. Makes me wonder how many of the parents are the super freaky stalker fans.

Paul Andrews

We took my 11 year old step son to the 2009 Perth show and had him up on the rail infront of Jeff. We told him to tell security that he was 12 if asked (that was the min age for the Fixer GA area). We didn't expect him to tell Eddie he was 12 when Eddie singled him out and spoke to him and made a joke with him. The huge cheer he got from 30,000 fans when Eddie announced a 12 year old was right up the front will live with him (and us forever). He'll be by my side at the MSG2 show. Just try to stop him...

Here is his moment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHd0tb2qRr4

Skip to 3:45

I think it is a matter of variables with kids. You need to be in a safe spot, you need to have good people around you and your kids has to want to be there. Luckily all those boxes were ticked for us and the show was awesome. We'd never have done it is he was much younger.

Fahka

I never understood why people just don't get sitters? I mean you're spending all this money on tickets and merch, why not hire a fucking babysitter? I think people do it for the attention.. that's the only thing that makes sense..(older kids i can understand, you want them to be apart of something you love but .. wait til they are at the age of being capable of remembering the show!) I love the people who bring their young children to rock concerts and then complain about all the weed smoke blowing in their face...what boobs!

covered in bliss

The only thing you should worry about is if the kid has proper ear protection.

The average PJ concert has thousands upon thousands of people in attendance. I have been to over 20 (but less than 40) Pearl Jam shows, and I have NEVER seen anyone pee, puke or even fall down. I've smelled weed but to be honest, some of my farts smell worse. :oops:

Speaking as a parent, it's all about the example you set for your kid, how you react in your environment and how much respect your kid has for you.

Diversity

---

> The Spice Of Life

Enjoy the show and let the parent worry about parenting. If they're not a good parent, it's none of your business. You can shape and form your own kids.... not others.

edit---if the kid is in obvious physical danger ie--no ear protection at a crazy-loud concert, you have every right to voice your opinion.

rick1zoo2

first show I took my oldest son was U2 when he was 10. since then I have taken all 3 of my sons to shows - two summers ago I took all of them to see Iron Maiden, Foo Fighters, and Stone Temple Pilots - they were 13, 11, and 7. We had a great time. This summer we are going to see Green Day from the pit!

I only take them to shows they want to go to and that I think they will be safe and enjoy. Unfortunately they don't like Pearl Jam. But thats ok, they still like music and shows.

doompony

eh, as long as they're being looked after for sure. in auckland there was a little kid buried in the crowd - he would have been about 8 or 9 i guess. big ben harper fan. the security guys became preoccupied with making sure the kid was ok so dunc let the little fella stand on the rail in front of him for ben's set which made security relax. as soon as the set was over the kid's dad slipped through the crowd to take him out again - didn't want him crushed during pearl jam. good move too, most of the adults at the front were struggling with the pressure. can't imagine how a 9 year old would have coped.

Cradles Broken Glass

DP13 wrote:

Why does EV continue to point out the wackos that bring small children (<10) to a Pearl Jam show?

He is definitely encouraging this reckless behavoir by pointing them out and then trying to throw them picks/tamborines (which encourages a stampede towards to kid).

I couldn't believe all of the very young children that were out in the middle of a tornado watch/thunderstorm in Noblesville. It was 50 degrees with roaring winds/rain. Things could have gotten pretty bad. The parking lot after the show was downright crazy dangerous, it was so dark I honestly don't know how there hasn't been a story on the pit yet about someone getting run over. During the show there was a passed out drunk directly behind me (on the ground passed out) and people smoking tons weed directly next to me; I am not saying this is wrong at a rock show but clearly not something anyone with a brain would want happening next to their five year old. Forget the little stuff: show over at mindnight, swearing, drinking, and general douchebaggery that occurs at a show.... just look at it from a safety standpoint. You people are nuts.

Obviously, there are alot of worst things you could do with your kids, but that doesn't mean it is a good idea to take your toddlers to an arena rock show.

I have to agree with you on one point and that is about people having them out during severe weather, that is kind of dangerous. However, I took my five-year-old turning six to the St. Louis show and we had a blast. I kept him close to me and held on to him at all times. Now, concerning the other stuff you mentioned. It is not illegal for my six-year-old to attend a show, but it is illegal to smoke weed, special rules do not apply to concerts. As far as the drinking goes, people drink all around us every time we have a family meal at Olive Garden. And it's ok for kids to stay up past their bedtimes for special events, once in a while isn't going to cause permanent damage. I'm offended by you basically saying that I have no brain. Also, Eddie has small children himself, you may not understand the soft spot that comes for children when you have children. I don't think the issue is with the parents that are bringing their small children to the show, but rather with the over-grown children behaving badly at the shows.

**And as a heads up for next time, you're stepping way over a line anytime you criticize anyone's parenting skills. Use a little tact next time.

zenith

i took my youngest son to his first pj show in 2006 - he was 9, and instead of 10c seats i got first row balcony seats over the side of the stage, simply so he could see .... wasnt going to be seeing much from the floor at that age, good seats or no - i had earplugs for him, but he took them out over and over again - and fell asleep on his chair with about two songs left to play.

last year, aged 13 he saw them for the second time, on the barrier in front of mike, in 40degree heat in sydney. By now he's actually taller than me, so in size he's even par. Yea, he got hot, no doubt smelled pot, and was very tired and worn out by the end. but he also got looked after, met other fans he's heard about for years, had a ball, and has another memory he'll never forget.

Ive got nothing against taking kids to live shows - just be sensible about where they are (the show has to be enjoyable for them .... they cant enjoy it while they are too busy trying to keep on their own feet to even watch the stage - and neither can you) And i think they have to want to see the band. My elder son isnt interested. Fine by me. The younger actually likes pj, knows the songs, sings along to the lyrics, all by his own choice ..... but dont take your kids along because its cute to see a 7yr old running round in a pj shirt. they look cute in army camo too, doesnt mean you'd take them there.

Paul Andrews

zenith wrote:

last year, aged 13 he saw them for the second time, on the barrier in front of mike, in 40degree heat in sydney. By now he's actually taller than me, so in size he's even par. Yea, he got hot, no doubt smelled pot, and was very tired and worn out by the end. but he also got looked after, met other fans he's heard about for years, had a ball, and has another memory he'll never forget.

Hey Zenith

I'm getting Marcus ready for MSG2 and I'll be doing Newark with a NYC based friend. Tell Riley his mum needs to lift her game and get him to MSG some time!!



This is Marcus before the Perth show - complete with his sign, LA3 Dodgers t-shirt and 10c wrist band.

zenith

Paul Andrews wrote:

zenith wrote:

last year, aged 13 he saw them for the second time, on the barrier in front of mike, in 40degree heat in sydney. By now he's actually taller than me, so in size he's even par. Yea, he got hot, no doubt smelled pot, and was very tired and worn out by the end. but he also got looked after, met other fans he's heard about for years, had a ball, and has another memory he'll never forget.

Hey Zenith

I'm getting Marcus ready for MSG2 and I'll be doing Newark with a NYC based friend. Tell Riley his mum needs to lift her game and get him to MSG some time!!



This is Marcus before the Perth show - complete with his sign, LA3 Dodgers t-shirt and 10c wrist band.

heya paul 8-)

believe me, if we won lotto we'd be over there now! riley is wearing the 09 show hat happily to school & sport every day - the 06 cap has been retired to the top of his bookshelf - even tho all his friends tell him pearl jam are an old band, why would he actually like them :roll: in fact, now that he's lost all his hair its the pj cap that stands him out.
but tell marcus to make sure he gives a shout out to all the aussies left back home if he gets another heya from ed .... and make the most of it with him! im thinking by 2012 riley will be thinking its too embarrassing to stand anywhere near his poor old mother (too bad he doesnt have a 10c number now, isnt it )

Paul Andrews

zenith wrote:

heya paul 8-)

... tell marcus to make sure he gives a shout out to all the aussies left back home if he gets another heya from ed .... and make the most of it with him!

Unfortunately, despite trying all night from the time the tickets went on sale, I missed out on 10c tix and had to get TM tickets. I got them the second they went on sale but only managed section 211, row E. That's to the side of the stage, slightly behind Mike's right shoulder, so he'll go unnoticed. We're just happy to be seeing them at MSG - we're in the room and ready to rock!

dimitrispearljam

just see Paul..he is the right exable....knows how to give happiness to the kid,protect him and he dont do it for him self ..not so hard to do it..all ok

adropinthepark

DP13 wrote:

Obviously, there are alot of worst things you could do with your kids, but that doesn't mean it is a good idea to take your toddlers to an arena rock show.

I think it's up to the parents to decide if their small child (6-10yrs old) is ready to attend a rock show. I was definitely ready for arena shows by the time I was 8 or 9. I remember begging to go to them, but my mom made me wait until I was 12.

Seeing toddlers and preschoolers is a little strange. I experienced what felt like culture shock in Grand Rapids. A little of a "So this is life in the rust belt?" feeling. There were quite a few people there with kids under five. Some were all dressed up like pageant kids. :?
It all seemed so inappropriate, but the parents were having a great time and none of the kids seemed bothered by what they were experiencing. Meh, don't know.

doompony

i went to my first concert when i was 14 dammit! silverchair!