How old is too young?

Vedd Hedd

I would rather see a 7 year old who understands that Oceans is a rare opener, than some dude who wants to talk excessively through ed's monologues and tell his friends about his business deals during Long Road. 

JH6056

pjhawks said:

rgambs said:

pjhawks said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

I'm not sure why people focus on if the kid will remember it or not. if that was the criteria, disney world would be empty. they might not have a consious memory of it, but the bonding over live music will remain, like anything else you do with your kid pre-9 years old. and it just may influence their musical tastes in the future. 

It's just different in my mind. Disney world is for little kids. Concerts are not. Some things can be better appreciated by little kids than others. Obviously everyone knows that experiences early in life contribute to the person they'll be. What I meant was that a 5 year old can't appreciate a concert for what it is in the mind of the parent. It doesn't seem like something that can be adequately "shared" between an adult a 5 year old. Anyway, I don't think little kids and concerts mix well. They simply don't seem like atmospheres that are appropriate for a 5 year old. Drugs, booze, excessively loud music, potentially rowdy crowds, profanity, ends late at night - that all equals "not for kids" in my mind. 

well, my 7 year old loved the weezer show, and she keeps asking when i can take her to pj. 

saying 'concerts are not for little kids' is an opinion, not a fact. would i have taken her back in the day of smoking in arenas? no. would have i have taken her to a motley crue show? obviously not. that's why i chose weezer, because, besides a few of the lyrics that will go over her head anyway, i knew she'd dig the music. 

again, it could be argued the same way that monster truck rallies are not for little kids either, bunch of drunks yelling GRAAAAVEDIGGGGER while spilling their beer all over someone isn't what i call a kid's atmosphere. neither, mind you, is a sporting event, with people screaming 'motherfucker' at the ref at the top of their lungs and drinking like it's going out of style. yet, you see kids at those everywhere. 

why are people ragging on concerts?

a 5 year old should be home in bed at 9:00 pm let alone 11:00-12:00 when a show is over.

Hahaha what, do they turn into a pumpkin at 9:30?
That's just a silly and arbitrary deadline that has no reason backing it.  

no one who advocates for children in the medical profession would think it's a good idea for a 5 year old to be at a rock concert between the hours of 9:00 pm and midnight.  if you can show me at least one then i'll change my position.

I'm thrilled to report that you're actually wrong on this, and I'd like to ask whether you've actually asked any pediatricians about this yourself or you're just going on gut?

We changed cities when my kid was 3, so I asked 1 pediatrician when she was a baby, and 3 different ones between age 3 and now (almost 10).  They ALL said the exact same basic thing: If they have ear protection and they are not upset (beyond age-appropriate regular upsets, like 2 yr olds who have tantrums at every "no" regardless of where you are),  They also said to watch the next day, and if the child is fine and not really out of sorts the next day then there's no reason not to take them.  Safety and exposure to toxins are obviously a concern, but the Peds just said as long as we don't have them in the mosh pit and can remove ourselves from smoke, again, no reason not to take them.

Do peds "advocate" for taking kids?  Probably not, just as they don't "advocate" taking them to the beach.  But is it harmful or do they advise AGAINST concerts should be the question, and in years of going to shows with kids and officially asking peds 4 times (unofficially even more, I've met Peds socially and asked the same question), I've yet to find a ped that said "No, don't do it."    

JH6056

dlymnfld said:

I find myself in a similar precarious situation. I have front row center tickets to Amos Lee (soulful mellow singer similar to Ray Lamontagne and comparable to EV solo show) at a small venue (Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, NH) and my wife now can't go as she's no longer going on vacation with me, my kids and my parents. So my choices of music companions are; A. My 70 year old mother who casually likes music (I think her last show was Neil Diamond in 1980), B. My 12 year old daughter who has been to her share of outside festivals geared towards kids like Life is Good Festival, Gathering of the Vibes, etc. but could care less about Amos Lee as she's into typical pre-teen Twenty One Pilots Imagine Dragon music or C. My 8 year old daughter who likes the same type of music as me as her favorite two bands are The Lumineers and The Head and the Heart and is begging me to go? My dilemma is my mother would go and appreciate the music and setting but be clueless, my oldest would go and be fine but not appreciate either and my youngest would be a wildcard and could love it or be bored in five minutes. I personally now wish I just bought one ticket as being a parent, I agree with the consensus that outside festivals are the  best setting for kids. 

You should totally take your 8 yr old!  She sounds like she wants to go, and what exactly would be the reason not to go?  Think a mosh pit will develop at Amos Lee?  She'll probably surprise you - as long as you don't have reason to think she'll conk out sleepy before end of show or can't sit still for that long, you should take her!  Bring ear protection (even though Amos Lee shouldn't be that loud).  Enjoy!

JH6056

Vedd Hedd said:

My daughter just turned 7 and has been begging to go to a Pearl jam show.  She knows most of the lyrics to most of the songs, listens to them on her own.  Vs is her soccer warm up album. 
Since the band isnt touring right now, I took her to a U2 show.  She likes them a lot, but not as much as Pearl Jam.  We went to the Soldier field show.  Had dinner at a bar, walked and took a cab to the show.  We missed the opening band, but she made it through the whole show.  By the end of the show, she was a little tired, but still going.  She had an absolute blast, and enjoyed sharing the pics with her friends and our family of her at the show.   We DID use ear plugs.  She was used to crowds and drunks from sporting events, so this wasnt much different.  If any of you are familiar with the recent Joshua Tree tour, it was awesome for her to see the video board and the songs about women empowerment, so that was absolutely great.   I had hesitated to take her to something like this in the past, but when CC passed away, I am more on the side of "Do it while you can".  

That said, as long as you know your kid, you should be fine.   Be prepared to have to leave the crowd, in case your kid cries or whines, as some kids do.  Be prepared to have to use the bathroom during "Hard to Imagine".   Be prepared to have to stand in line for stuff, if you avoid that stuff like I do.  But at this point, I am near 50 PJ shows.  I want her to see the band that she loves.  I dont care what other people think.  As long as my kid is quiet, respectful, and capable of doing it.  And she is. 

Awesome post!  I can't wait to read your review (with her input!) when you do take her to see PJ!

JH6056

Vedd Hedd said:

JH6056 said:

One other thing that the naysayers about this will often say: kids will see stuff or smell/inhale stuff they shouldn't.  My kid has been to Coachella twice, 2 other festivals, and a LOT of concerts.  NEVER has she seen anything more than what she used to hysterically call "UNappropriate" outfits (pratically naked women) or just strange outfits.  If I spy people practically humping in public, I just steer her away.  But it's very rare to see that, and we've been to a lot lot lot of shows.

On the weed or cigarette smoke, we just move if it's outdoors/GA, and if it's indoors and there are seats, it's not legal to smoke indoors anywhere where we live, so we just nicely ask anyone smoking close enough to breathe it in to please take it somewhere else.  And I do that even when I don't have kids because I have smoke allergies and it sucks for me if people smoke indoors.  So that's not even a kid thing for me.  And mostly people are very nice.  The few who aren't... we have dealt with in other ways.  

Agreed on this.  I have seen kids at shows and they have never bothered me.  I dont know why someone would be ok sitting next to a drunk person who is pissing themselves, but not ok next to a kid who is enjoying a concert.   Give me the kid. 

That said, I dont see belligerent people like this at PJ shows.  Lollapalooza? Yes.  well...PJ in Camden?  Yeah, ill see those fans there.  Not at most other places tho. 

Good point on Camden... it's been years since I've seen a show at the venue that used to be called "Meadows Music Center" in Hartford, CT, but that would be my version of Camden: a venue where there were too many tail-gating riots and my 1st PJ show there was the "pepper spray on the lawn" show, so I'd probably never take a kid - even a 16 yr old - to a show there if it's still like that.  

brianlux

cincybearcat said:

brianlux said:

My opinion is five years old is too young to take to a rock show.  My first show happened when I was 12 or 13 and that was just the right time.  But of course I wouldn't make it a rule or tell someone what to do.  My only advice is have the kid wear these and know how to seat them in the ears properly:

Actually, because of their ear canal size, etc, it usually better to use Ear Muffs for young children.  If you don;t get the proper fit with the plugs, then they aren't getting the protection they need.  Depends on the kids age of course.

Great advice, Cincy!

PJNB

I feel for the parents that can not get a babysitter and have to take their kids to concerts. As long as you are protecting your child and are considerate of those around you then I see no problem with this. Taormina was full of kids and not once did it take away from the show for me. That said if you have a babysitter and are still taking your kids what are you thinking lol? 

HesCalledDyer

Just don't use your kid as tambourine bait.

23scidoo

HesCalledDyer said:

Just don't use your kid as tambourine bait.

Hahahahaha..or for a pin..

pjhawks

pistol3 said:

Enough with the judging. If you don't have a kid, you have no frame of reference, so your opinion is irrelevant. IMO, it depends on your kid and if they want to go and can handle it. We took our 6 year old to U2. She loved it. Didn't whine at all. Was tired at the end, but never complained. We were in GA, people were awesome to her. Don't know if we'll take her to PJ or not. But, it sure won't be because of the non-parents' opinion, can guarantee that.

this is such a dumb argument.  I guess I shouldn't judge politics because i'm not a politician. or music because I'm not a musician either?  that argument is as dumb as someone believing taking a 5 year old to a rock concert is a good idea (we need a smacking my head emoji).  gen x and y are too busy being friends with their kids than actual parents..IMHO.

Merkin Baller

pjhawks said:

pistol3 said:

Enough with the judging. If you don't have a kid, you have no frame of reference, so your opinion is irrelevant. IMO, it depends on your kid and if they want to go and can handle it. We took our 6 year old to U2. She loved it. Didn't whine at all. Was tired at the end, but never complained. We were in GA, people were awesome to her. Don't know if we'll take her to PJ or not. But, it sure won't be because of the non-parents' opinion, can guarantee that.

this is such a dumb argument.  I guess I shouldn't judge politics because i'm not a politician. or music because I'm not a musician either?  that argument is as dumb as someone believing taking a 5 year old to a rock concert is a good idea (we need a smacking my head emoji).  gen x and y are too busy being friends with their kids than actual parents..IMHO.

Let's also not overlook the fact the OP actually solicited feedback from the forum.

That's the whole point of the thread.

helplessdancer

is this thread about tambourines? i thought it was

HughFreakingDillon

pjhawks said:

pistol3 said:

Enough with the judging. If you don't have a kid, you have no frame of reference, so your opinion is irrelevant. IMO, it depends on your kid and if they want to go and can handle it. We took our 6 year old to U2. She loved it. Didn't whine at all. Was tired at the end, but never complained. We were in GA, people were awesome to her. Don't know if we'll take her to PJ or not. But, it sure won't be because of the non-parents' opinion, can guarantee that.

this is such a dumb argument.  I guess I shouldn't judge politics because i'm not a politician. or music because I'm not a musician either?  that argument is as dumb as someone believing taking a 5 year old to a rock concert is a good idea (we need a smacking my head emoji).  gen x and y are too busy being friends with their kids than actual parents..IMHO.

being friends? it's called experiencing things you love with your kids and exposing them to those things. if it sticks, great, if not, that's fine too. 
there are a lot of lousy "friend" parents out there, and not all are gen x and y. I saw a lot of that growing up as well. 

my2hands

Being a parent doesn't make you smarter or give you better judgement... 

I was not a big fan of seeing all the children on the Lightning Bolt tour... just being honest

If I had a kid, the absolute last place I would want to take them is a rock concert... the whole thing seems silly to me... I had ZERO interest in going to a Rolling Stones concert when I was a young kid... just like your kid has zero interest in seeing pearl jam... find an adult to take and go enjoy yourself for a night... or wait until they are older and more mature

We had a guy with his young son next to us at Philly 2 2016... the fucking kid hated every second of it... no ear protection from what I could see... the kid did not want to be there... and his father kept him there for the entire show... what I witnessed was nothing short of a totally selfish dick move on the part of the father... I spent half the show worried about the kid

Please don't drag your kids to the next PJ show, let yourself and the rest of us enjoy a night out as adults at a rock concert 

HughFreakingDillon

my2hands said:

Being a parent doesn't make you smarter or give you better judgement... 

I was not a big fan of seeing all the children on the Lightning Bolt tour... just being honest

If I had a kid, the absolute last place I would want to take them is a rock concert... the whole thing seems silly to me... I had ZERO interest in going to a Rolling Stones concert when I was a young kid... just like your kid has zero interest in seeing pearl jam... find an adult to take and go enjoy yourself for a night... or wait until they are older and more mature

We had a guy with his young son next to us at Philly 2 2016... the fucking kid hated every second of it... no ear protection from what I could see... the kid did not want to be there... and his father kept him there for the entire show... what I witnessed was nothing short of a totally selfish dick move on the part of the father... I spent half the show worried about the kid

Please don't drag your kids to the next PJ show, let yourself and the rest of us enjoy a night out as adults at a rock concert 

no one said it makes you smarter. but having experience gives you a perspective that those without experience don't have. 

I took my 7 year old daughter to Weezer because she BEGGED me to go to a rock show. for 2 years. I wasn't sure if she just wanted to spend time with Daddy or actually go to a show. So when Weezer was announced, I thought it would be a decent opportunity to take her to a relatively PG show. I had her listen to the music for a while to make sure she actually liked it before buying the tickets. She loved it. She keeps telling all her friends about it when they come over; she shows them the signed poster I bought for her (us). 

I would wager very FEW people taking their kids to rock shows are doing it for themselves. If they are, then yes, they are doing it for the wrong reasons. 

DeLukin

my2hands said:

Being a parent doesn't make you smarter or give you better judgement... 

I was not a big fan of seeing all the children on the Lightning Bolt tour... just being honest

If I had a kid, the absolute last place I would want to take them is a rock concert... the whole thing seems silly to me... I had ZERO interest in going to a Rolling Stones concert when I was a young kid... just like your kid has zero interest in seeing pearl jam... find an adult to take and go enjoy yourself for a night... or wait until they are older and more mature

We had a guy with his young son next to us at Philly 2 2016... the fucking kid hated every second of it... no ear protection from what I could see... the kid did not want to be there... and his father kept him there for the entire show... what I witnessed was nothing short of a totally selfish dick move on the part of the father... I spent half the show worried about the kid

Please don't drag your kids to the next PJ show, let yourself and the rest of us enjoy a night out as adults at a rock concert 

Well said and I (father of 4) 100% agree.

HughFreakingDillon

my2hands said:

Being a parent doesn't make you smarter or give you better judgement... 

I was not a big fan of seeing all the children on the Lightning Bolt tour... just being honest

If I had a kid, the absolute last place I would want to take them is a rock concert... the whole thing seems silly to me... I had ZERO interest in going to a Rolling Stones concert when I was a young kid... just like your kid has zero interest in seeing pearl jam... find an adult to take and go enjoy yourself for a night... or wait until they are older and more mature

We had a guy with his young son next to us at Philly 2 2016... the fucking kid hated every second of it... no ear protection from what I could see... the kid did not want to be there... and his father kept him there for the entire show... what I witnessed was nothing short of a totally selfish dick move on the part of the father... I spent half the show worried about the kid

Please don't drag your kids to the next PJ show, let yourself and the rest of us enjoy a night out as adults at a rock concert 

one instance does not make the majority. 

and as to your last comment, it's not about you. if a kid being at a show ruins the show for you, maybe you shouldn't be there. 

JV130312

First you cut your age in half and then add 7 and that's how young you can date...

oh wait...

a 5-year old should be no where near a Pearl Jam concert.

DeLukin

HughFreakingDillon said:

my2hands said:

Being a parent doesn't make you smarter or give you better judgement... 

I was not a big fan of seeing all the children on the Lightning Bolt tour... just being honest

If I had a kid, the absolute last place I would want to take them is a rock concert... the whole thing seems silly to me... I had ZERO interest in going to a Rolling Stones concert when I was a young kid... just like your kid has zero interest in seeing pearl jam... find an adult to take and go enjoy yourself for a night... or wait until they are older and more mature

We had a guy with his young son next to us at Philly 2 2016... the fucking kid hated every second of it... no ear protection from what I could see... the kid did not want to be there... and his father kept him there for the entire show... what I witnessed was nothing short of a totally selfish dick move on the part of the father... I spent half the show worried about the kid

Please don't drag your kids to the next PJ show, let yourself and the rest of us enjoy a night out as adults at a rock concert 

one instance does not make the majority. 

and as to your last comment, it's not about you. if a kid being at a show ruins the show for you, maybe you shouldn't be there. 

I can't believe there's even a debate here. Rock concerts are NOT for young kids. With everything going on there (drinking, drugging, loud music, #EvenBros) it's not a good idea. And if it also inhibits others from having a good time - which is a completely valid concern - that's just one more reason to leave them at home.

HughFreakingDillon

DeLukin said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

my2hands said:

Being a parent doesn't make you smarter or give you better judgement... 

I was not a big fan of seeing all the children on the Lightning Bolt tour... just being honest

If I had a kid, the absolute last place I would want to take them is a rock concert... the whole thing seems silly to me... I had ZERO interest in going to a Rolling Stones concert when I was a young kid... just like your kid has zero interest in seeing pearl jam... find an adult to take and go enjoy yourself for a night... or wait until they are older and more mature

We had a guy with his young son next to us at Philly 2 2016... the fucking kid hated every second of it... no ear protection from what I could see... the kid did not want to be there... and his father kept him there for the entire show... what I witnessed was nothing short of a totally selfish dick move on the part of the father... I spent half the show worried about the kid

Please don't drag your kids to the next PJ show, let yourself and the rest of us enjoy a night out as adults at a rock concert 

one instance does not make the majority. 

and as to your last comment, it's not about you. if a kid being at a show ruins the show for you, maybe you shouldn't be there. 

I can't believe there's even a debate here. Rock concerts are NOT for young kids. With everything going on there (drinking, drugging, loud music, #EvenBros) it's not a good idea. And if it also inhibits others from having a good time - which is a completely valid concern - that's just one more reason to leave them at home.

how does my 7 year old inhibit your good time? unless you are one of the aforementioned even bros, or being just a general dick to those around you, it shouldn't. 

1) drinking-also happens at sporting events with a good portion of the audience being kids
2) drugging-pretty rare since smoking is banned in all indoor venues, and if it happens, security is on top of it
3) loud music - ear protection
4) even bros-I would say even MORE of these douches are at sporting events. yet again, kids are ok there. 

I took my daughter to a football game once. exhibition at the beginning of the season. she was bored out of her mind so we left at half time. I knew the risk going in. Had my daughter hated weezer I would have done the same thing. you can be a responsible parent and still do fun things with them.