How old is too young?

drakeheuer14

In this case I think it's the ones with kids not thinking completely clear. I think their vision might be blurred by wanting to go to PJ concert and share that with their young kid so bad that they turn "I like that song, Mommy." into what they wish they were hearing, "I want to go to a Pearl Jam concert so fucking much with you, Mommy." and then try to justify it with that.  

I dont have kids, but I have to agree having kids around me at a show is awkward with everyone around them gulping down their beers and cursing. 

I think it was Columbia? this past year where Ed had a tambo passed back to a girl that had been on her Dads shoulders in the back of the pit the whole night. She didn't seem like she was enjoying it all that much. She actually looked rather miserable until she had that thing in her hands to play with some. The plus side to all this: at least he stayed in the back of GA. 

I agree that festivals would be a good place to start.

MayDay10

HughFreakingDillon said:

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. 

Football is a tough one.  So much down time and you are typically so far away from the action.... which is very sporadic.  I tried to take my kid to a preseason game and it was the same experience.

I have a 4 and 2 year old, and no urge to take them to a PJ show for a long time... which will probably be ever.  I think something like Weezer would be good for a younger kid who likes music.  The McCartney post from before was a good idea.  

I have seen kids at legit 'loud' rock concerts and they almost always look out of place and fairly miserable up until maybe their early teen years.  Its long, loud, and kind of boring unless you know and are versed in the material.    It appears as though their parents have dragged them there. When I see the patented kid on the shoulders move in the pit when its tambo-time I cringe.  I know there are exceptions and certain 6 year olds are "big fans"... but I would say that is probably rare.

I bring my kid to NHL games.  When he was 3 he took off down the concourse and slipped and fell into a spilled beer.  He heard swear words.  I dont care though.  I remember when I was 8, I saw a Canadiens fan piss his sweat pants before flinging a beer on the crowd below.  I thought it was funny.    My kid is obsessed with hockey though.  

HughFreakingDillon

drakeheuer14 said:

In this case I think it's the ones with kids not thinking completely clear. I think their vision might be blurred by wanting to go to PJ concert and share that with their young kid so bad that they turn "I like that song, Mommy." into what they wish they were hearing, "I want to go to a Pearl Jam concert so fucking much with you, Mommy." and then try to justify it with that.  

I dont have kids, but I have to agree having kids around me at a show is awkward with everyone around them gulping down their beers and cursing. 

I think it was Columbia? this past year where Ed had a tambo passed back to a girl that had been on her Dads shoulders in the back of the pit the whole night. She didn't seem like she was enjoying it all that much. She actually looked rather miserable until she had that thing in her hands to play with some. The plus side to all this: at least he stayed in the back of GA. 

incorrect. at least in my case. 

Merkin Baller

Saw a guy @ Wrigley '13 trying to convince his crying kid during the rain delay to stick it out a bit longer, the kid wanted to go home. (Couldn't have been older than 7) 

Thats bad parenting. I don't care if you think I'm judgemental, that's bad parenting, period. 

Personally I wouldn't bring a kid younger than 13 to a PJ show, but that's just me. Some kids younger than 13 can certainly handle it, but I would hope the parent is doing what's best for their kid & not indulging themselves so they can be the 'cool parent.' 

Just my (judgemental) $0.02.

HughFreakingDillon

Merkin Baller said:

Saw a guy @ Wrigley '13 trying to convince his crying kid during the rain delay to stick it out a bit longer, the kid wanted to go home. (Couldn't have been older than 7) 

Thats bad parenting. I don't care if you think I'm judgemental, that's bad parenting, period. 

Personally I wouldn't bring a kid younger than 13 to a PJ show, but that's just me. Some kids younger than 13 can certainly handle it, but I would hope the parent is doing what's best for their kid & not indulging themselves so they can be the 'cool parent.' 

Just my (judgemental) $0.02.

I would agree. that's bad parenting. I would have left. 

helplessdancer

I think it was Columbia? this past year where Ed had a tambo passed back to a girl that had been on her Dads shoulders in the back of the pit the whole night. She didn't seem like she was enjoying it all that much. She actually looked rather miserable until she had that thing in her hands to play with some. The plus side to all this: at least he stayed in the back of GA. 

i knew it. this is about tambourines. 
these people are the problem imo

JH6056

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

HughFreakingDillon

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

pjhawks

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

PJNB

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

Ya Pearl Jam concerts and Saving Private Ryan have a lot in common. 

mcgruff10

PJNB said:

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

Ya Pearl Jam concerts and Saving Private Ryan have a lot in common. 

I usually sit down with my five kids (13, 8, 8, 8, 3) and watch we were soldiers as Pearl Jam is playing in the background. 
After the kids earn enough points we watch saving private ryan. 
But usually every Friday night is R rated movie night in my household!

HughFreakingDillon

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

an r rated movie and a rock show are the same? what the fuck kind of rock shows are you going to?  

JH6056

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

If we had our young kid sit and watch an R-rated movie, all of their attention would be on that and that only.  So any cursing or violence, they'd see it all because it's a movie.  At a rock show, 1) I have never seen violence at the shows I take my kids to.  2) I've never seen nudity at shows I take my kids to.  and 3) I've occasionally heard cursing, but you know what?  Sporting events I've heard consistent cursing and namecalling, whereas at a rock show it's not even close to every show I hear someone cursing loudly.

Smoke is the only thing I've encountered at a rock show with kids that I have had to negotiate (move away from usually), but no one smokes in movie theaters anymore so that's the one thing you don't worry about in an R-rated movie.

So what exactly is it that happens in R-movies that you see regularly at rock shows?  And what city are you in?  Because I've seen rock shows all over the US (and taken my kid to shows in at least 8 states over time), and I just don't see the R-movie parallel at all.

Merkin Baller

I would give the average PJ show a PG rating.

Kids won't hear anything there that they haven't heard in the schoolyard, that's for sure. 

pjhawks

PJNB said:

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

Ya Pearl Jam concerts and Saving Private Ryan have a lot in common. 

yes pick one of the most violent movies to make your point. there are plenty of r-rated movies that are similar to a PJ show with cursing, drunk and high people.  Just trying to get where the line is. So it's ok to take them to a show where Ed says fuck 20 times and the guy next to you is drunk but you wouldn't let them watch "TED" or "Office Space"?  makes sense.

JH6056

pjhawks said:

PJNB said:

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

Ya Pearl Jam concerts and Saving Private Ryan have a lot in common. 

yes pick one of the most violent movies to make your point. there are plenty of r-rated movies that are similar to a PJ show with cursing, drunk and high people.  Just trying to get where the line is. So it's ok to take them to a show where Ed says fuck 20 times and the guy next to you is drunk but you wouldn't let them watch "TED" or "Office Space"?  makes sense.

You don't have to like it pjhawks, but as someone who's seen more than 50 PJ shows (not including Ed solo or side projects), my actual real life experience of PJ shows overwhelmingly trumps your vague comparisons to R movies.  In some 56 PJ shows, I have never: 1) been trapped in my seat next to someone screaming obscenities for the whole show; or 2) heard Ed say "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck this fucking song fuck fuck fuck" (yes, he curses, but not some extraordinary amount that is going to corrupt small children).  I have certainly seen/been bothered by drunk people, but not more than maybe 3 times to the point where I had to get security involved, and I did, and they didn't bother me anymore.  But guess what?  We also live in major city.  Guess what?  Kids where I live see drunk and high people on the subways, on the streets, at bus stops.... If you think a PJ concert is the 1st time I'll have to explain drunk or high people to my kids, you're absurdly out in La La Land.  People who can't control their behavior or are under the influence are a reality of life, and more so in cities.  A concert is probably the place where you can do the most about it the quickest if they're bothering you, since there is security and you're a paying customer.

So now my question to you pjhawks is this: If I searched (which I'm not going to do) through the threads on sports events here, are you equally outspoken about the inappropriateness of taking kids to those?  If not, why the - it's not even a double standard, it's actually hypocritical, because sports events have far FAR more cursing, drunk people way out of control, and actual violence (again going on what I've actually seen at games and in parking lots).  Are you equally outspoken here about that?  If not, why not?

HughFreakingDillon

JH6056 said:

pjhawks said:

PJNB said:

pjhawks said:

JH6056 said:

Well OP, you've heard a lot of perspectives.  What do you think?

Me, I'm glad people have their opinions.  And.... having done my own due diligence and checked in with doctors and knowing what my kid does and doesn't like and what environments she's fine in and which she's not fine in... no amount of generalizing or "It ruins it for those around you" (Seriously? A kid having a good time ruins your night?  Guess what, that's on you!)  is going to stop me from doing something that means a lot to me, that my kid enjoys, that isn't harming her in any way, and which if she doesn't want to go she doesn't go.

I'm curious for the parents here who have taken kids to PJ shows or other rock concerts, do you let your younger kids watch R-rated movies?  I would think that most wouldn't even consider letting a 5-10 year old watch an R-rated movie.  there isn't a whole heck of a difference (maybe some r-rated movies have more sexual themes and nudity but that's about it)  between an r-rated movie and a rock show.  

Ya Pearl Jam concerts and Saving Private Ryan have a lot in common. 

yes pick one of the most violent movies to make your point. there are plenty of r-rated movies that are similar to a PJ show with cursing, drunk and high people.  Just trying to get where the line is. So it's ok to take them to a show where Ed says fuck 20 times and the guy next to you is drunk but you wouldn't let them watch "TED" or "Office Space"?  makes sense.

You don't have to like it pjhawks, but as someone who's seen more than 50 PJ shows (not including Ed solo or side projects), my actual real life experience of PJ shows overwhelmingly trumps your vague comparisons to R movies.  In some 56 PJ shows, I have never: 1) been trapped in my seat next to someone screaming obscenities for the whole show; or 2) heard Ed say "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck this fucking song fuck fuck fuck" (yes, he curses, but not some extraordinary amount that is going to corrupt small children).  I have certainly seen/been bothered by drunk people, but not more than maybe 3 times to the point where I had to get security involved, and I did, and they didn't bother me anymore.  But guess what?  We also live in major city.  Guess what?  Kids where I live see drunk and high people on the subways, on the streets, at bus stops.... If you think a PJ concert is the 1st time I'll have to explain drunk or high people to my kids, you're absurdly out in La La Land.  People who can't control their behavior or are under the influence are a reality of life, and more so in cities.  A concert is probably the place where you can do the most about it the quickest if they're bothering you, since there is security and you're a paying customer.

So now my question to you pjhawks is this: If I searched (which I'm not going to do) through the threads on sports events here, are you equally outspoken about the inappropriateness of taking kids to those?  If not, why the - it's not even a double standard, it's actually hypocritical, because sports events have far FAR more cursing, drunk people way out of control, and actual violence (again going on what I've actually seen at games and in parking lots).  Are you equally outspoken here about that?  If not, why not?

I'm still waiting on that same question in your last paragraph. nothing but crickets. 

jerparker20

80% of the shows my wife and I go to are at clubs/theaters with no admittance for anyone under 18/21 so bringing our kid to a show is just not happening anyways.  Plus, it's just nice to have night out without him in tow.  

As for bringing small kids (I personally feel 10-12 is a decent age), bring them with if you think it's a good idea.  If you are questioning whether or not to take them, error on caution and don't.  There's a reason you are having doubts.  And don't drag them along because you think it will make you cool.  As others have mentioned, I too have seen small kids (under 10) dragged along by their parents who are having a miserable time (Wrigley 2).  I have also seen small kids having a great time (KISS shows are a great example).  All depends on the kid, parent, parent's intention, and the show.  

Tim Simmons

It's weird that it's taken 6 pages to conclude "use your best judgement and do what's best for the kid" is the best answer. 

mcgruff10

Tim Simmons said:

It's weird that it's taken 6 pages to conclude "use your best judgement and do what's best for the kid" is the best answer. 

lol true.  and if your kid is melting and wants to go...you leave.  don't be selfish.