Your experience bringing kids to PJ shows?

Spankey's Popp · July 2013

october22 wrote:

Spankey's Popp wrote:

october22 wrote:

1 and a fucking half?

I assume you are talking about my post. Yes, he's 1-1/2.

We have three day passes to the event. We are going Friday to scope things out, if it's kosher we will probably take him Saturday and we'll go back alone on Sunday.

We went last year and there were a ton of little kids. They set it up on a giant park, evuerything is very spread out and there are no mad crushes of people.

It is not like I am going to have him on the rail.

There is plenty of room to steer clear of crowds, there are games and carnival rides, etc.

The ABSOLUTE last thing in the world I would ever do is put my child in any sort of harm's way so, like I said, if it ain't kosher/safe, he won't be going.

Hey, no man, I'm not criticizing your parenting or anything like that. I didn't realize the specifics of the situation and it probably is a way different environment than what I was thinking which was just a typical concert that I couldn't imagine bringing a kid that young to. But I get it.

No worries, I get it. Thinking more about it, it does sound a bit strange taking such a little one to a punk rock festival. But, this may be his only chance to ever see The Pixies. :-)

Believe it or not, it was the wife's idea.

We'll see.

voodoopug · July 2013

I have been bringing my son since he was 7 and he has done fine and had great times. I do bring earplugs for him and have been sure to not take him to a GA show.

Black Diamond · July 2013

Brought my boys to LA and SD (from NJ) for their first shows when they were 9 and 6. They were always exposed to the music and are huge fans in their own right, but it became a chance to do trips with just me. I have done each individually and one time (with the help of our Greek friend Dimi) with both (the Toronto shows in 11)... they have each been to 5 shows each...

Just planned two shows for each of them individually... I know I am way more excited but its terrific to get to spend alone time with them and to not have them compete with their siblings.

My 7 year old daughter is now begging me to take her... thinking about it...

In all, they are great excuses to see smiles all over their faces and to spend time with them, which is always awesome.

Bring ear plugs. No GA.

DURP · July 2013

It's your child you are free to do what you please. Just don't complain about being able to smell marijuana at the show. It's going to happen.

amethgr8 · July 2013

I agree with most the GA comments and also some of the kids I've seen at the shows are looking at people's backs.

I think kids need to be a certain height (like the rides at the carnivals) as well as age/attention span to enjoy the shows. I see some parent can tell their kids can't see, then they put them on their shoulders and eventually have to put them down.

I know all the great comments about people that have done it with their kids and how much their kids enjoyed it and all and I'm not doubting that. but you need to look at the mentality of children in general, they want to be like you. they want to like what you like so that you have something in common. I'm sure there are exceptions to every rule and some kids flat out didn't enjoy it and the parents had to leave early, but for the most part if you're "cool" with your kid, I mean a rock concert? they would be all over that! a chance to relate to parents "on their level"?

IMO

EdsonNascimento · July 2013

Not PJ, but I took my 3 oldest sons to see The Who Quadrophenia Tour in February (ages 9, 11 and 13) and they were fine. 2 things:

1) Get seats - they would not have lasted if we needed to stand for 3 hours.
2) Let them enjoy the show how they see fit. My 13 year old stood the entire time. My 11 year old stood for the beginning, then sat and rocked out only being able to see the screens. My 9 year old stood at the beginning, at different times throughout the show and at the end. And it was my 11 year old that woke up the next morning singing - "Can you see the real me? Can ya? Can ya?!" (My 9 year old then joined in). So, they obviously all enjoyed the show in different ways. (and unfortunately, I ruined them. I had to break it to them that their concert going experience is probably all downhill after seeing The Who). They smelled the smells, they saw the drinks, they even go to see their first fight on the floor just below us. I don't think the 9 and 11 year olds knew what the smoke was (and my 13 yo probably just thought he knew, but whatever).

Just a couple more tid bits that worked well:

1) Got to arena early, so they could see their seats/the stage before it was filled. Stayed for very beginning of opening act, so they got the "flavor."
2) Then - off to the bathroom.
3) Then drinks - whatever they wanted (Gatorade) and something to eat (Candy, of course- shhhhh! don't tell mom you got sugar with sugar.).
4) Then to seats as show started.

It obviously helped that I saw the show twice in December, so I knew the pacing of everything. But, they stayed the entire 2:30 or :45 or whatever it was without leaving the seats. Key: Get the drinks AFTER the bathroom. Not before. Even if they chug, by the time it gets through them, you can get them to last another half hour.

Make sure they want to go. They were all psyched up to go. Funny thing is, I'm hoping to bring them to Brooklyn for night 2 for their first PJ show. I got GA for night one b/c I knew I'd want seats for them.

BTW, as far as seeing - position them so they can. My kids actually were "behind" me (we were on side) so that I could get out of their way, then they could find a place to see through/over/around/whatever was in front. It's not like there's a Great Wall of China. There's spaces and the kids will find them. Great thing too - no worries about someone spilling over into your seat because of a "thyroid problem." Kids are small and give you space to "spread out."

Bronx Bombers · July 2013

Was on the floor at MSG 2 in 2010 and there were 2 kids sitting in the row in front of us, both were asleep most of the show they didn't pay attention at all when they were awake they sat and played with there toys.

2-feign-reluctance · July 2013

Bronx Bombers wrote:

Was on the floor at MSG 2 in 2010 and there were 2 kids sitting in the row in front of us, both were asleep most of the show they didn't pay attention at all when they were awake they sat and played with there toys.

See, that's when I might get Grandma and Grandpa to babysit.

Black Diamond · July 2013

amethgr8 wrote:

I agree with most the GA comments and also some of the kids I've seen at the shows are looking at people's backs.

I think kids need to be a certain height (like the rides at the carnivals) as well as age/attention span to enjoy the shows. I see some parent can tell their kids can't see, then they put them on their shoulders and eventually have to put them down.

I know all the great comments about people that have done it with their kids and how much their kids enjoyed it and all and I'm not doubting that. but you need to look at the mentality of children in general, they want to be like you. they want to like what you like so that you have something in common. I'm sure there are exceptions to every rule and some kids flat out didn't enjoy it and the parents had to leave early, but for the most part if you're "cool" with your kid, I mean a rock concert? they would be all over that! a chance to relate to parents "on their level"?

IMO

Oh I agree, I am getting a ton out of it... And that is part of the enjoyment... They see how happy I am with them... Trust me, I pay complete attention to their needs and would stop if I believed they were not interested... but so far I have not been getting that vibe... they talk about it often and play PJ on their own.

Black Diamond · July 2013

DURP wrote:

It's your child you are free to do what you please. Just don't complain about being able to smell marijuana at the show. It's going to happen.

This is totally true... actually started some great conversations about drugs with them ... I have moved them because of people smoking but it's a concert, stuff happens.

guacamolejoe · July 2013

Black Diamond wrote:

Oh I agree, I am getting a ton out of it... And that is part of the enjoyment... They see how happy I am with them... Trust me, I pay complete attention to their needs and would stop if I believed they were not interested... but so far I have not been getting that vibe... they talk about it often and play PJ on their own.

Your such a good father :angel: .

themessenger · July 2013

Bronx Bombers wrote:

Was on the floor at MSG 2 in 2010 and there were 2 kids sitting in the row in front of us, both were asleep most of the show they didn't pay attention at all when they were awake they sat and played with there toys.

A couple in front of me at Wrigley, floor section L brought their 2 kids that had to be both less than 8-9 years old. They couldn't see a thing the entire show, even if they tried to stand on their seats. If they would have been in the stands then maybe so, but on the floor there was no chance.

jjflash · July 2013

Haven't done it yet. My oldest is nine. I'm thinking of taking him to his first PJ show when he's in the 5th (he'll start 4th grade this fall). My dad took me to see Van Halen in 1986 when I was in the 7th grade. To this day it remains one of my favorite things we've done together.

Taking kiddoes to a rock show is a very personal, and in some ways risky, thing. They need earplugs, good sight lines, etc. and, in general, there are a bunch of variables that could easily cut the evening/show short (i.e. rain delay/late night at Wrigley). Overall, I'm stoked about one day exposing my kids to the band and music that has been one of the soundtracks to my life.

I sat near a father and son at Wrigley. The kid looked to be 8-9ish and had been allowed to bring into the show his own blue acoustic guitar. I looked back at him when EWBTCIAST was playing and the kid was grinning ear to ear and playing along (methinks) with the song

. The little fella eventually wound up asleep in his chair but seeing him and his dad together immersed in the show was one of many highlights from that evening.

Your experience bringing kids to PJ shows?

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