How old is too young?

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.

yeah, cuz every single kid fits into your neat little box. the show i took my 7 year old to was over at 11 or so. she was up and at em the next morning for school,and then after school for her guitar lesson without so much as a complaint. she had more gusto than i did, actually. 

people take their kids of that age and younger to midnight fucking mass on christmas and then stay up all night eating and opening presents. 

Rob Zombie and Korn last year at Riverbend in Cincinnati.  My, then 12 year old, daughter went with us. We saw this lil one there. Sweet.  Well tended. Brought all the way to the back for RZ. 

I will stand in the "it depends on YOUR kid" camp.  We have spent our daughter's life taking her to museums, lectures, galleries and programs. She has no problem functioning with that. She does not and has never cared for crowds. 

Sometimes people (like those in the photo) have super cool kids who can function in situations most adults cannot. It happens y'all.  Some kids at concerts ARE better behaved than adults. They have never once spilled their beer on me, never knocked me off my feet and landed on me, never thrown things at me, never smoked odd substances not pot or cigarettes in front of me, never got into fights, never got violent in a pit... I can't say the same for adults in attendance at such concerts. 

Do most people hate the idea of kids at concerts?  Probably. I think that most people think of the unmanned kids running wild through the retail stores. Having witnessed many children at many metal concerts, I find that parents really tune into the abilities of their kids and the metal community embraces them.  The people know their kids can handle it. 

My kid?  She was a wait until 12 kid, but she has been in museums and asking questions at lectures since she was three.  Crowds just aren't her thing.  

It isn't a cut and dry case like the driving age.  Each case is different and it is up to the parent to really tune in to their kid. It is honestly why I hate threads like this.  We, as an online community, cannot make this decision or really provide the right information for a child none of us know.  It's a parent thing.  Know your kid.  Know their limits.  Think of the community you will be with.  Make that decision on your own.  

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.

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.

Haha does my wife count, she's a licensed limited physician.
I understand where you are coming from, but 9 o clock bedtimes are about structure, routine, and getting adequate sleep on a regular basis.  In fact, going to bed at 9 in the summer when it is still light out probably has a (miniscule) negative effect of the circadian rhythm and sleep health.
An occasional late night is not detrimental to the health or psychology of a child.

Loud noises are mitigated, drunk and rowdy people, swearing, the smell of pot...oh well.  Kids are adaptable and they adjust to whatever they are exposed to.  Some people don't see any of that as a big deal, everybody is different.  I would rather my child be exposed to that sort of behaviour than some of the stuff that goes on in Sunday school!  
I take my kid camping in the wilderness, some people want to tell me that's irresponsible, while they drop their kid off at daycare with strangers.

It's not that there aren't any wrong answers in parenting, there surely are, but the conventional do's and don'ts aren't always rooted in sense and safety.

HughFreakingDillon said:

this argument is becoming ridiculous. 

I do not think it is "bad" to bring the kid to a show.  I will not do any damage to the kid (as long as ears are protected).  They will be fine.  I just don't know why anyone would want to hang out with a 5 year old at a concert.  I go to concerts (very rarely at this point) to get AWAY from my 5 and 3 year olds!

Parents can do what they want... but personally, I have no plans to bring my kids for the foreseeable future.  My 4 year old is a 'real cool' kid and indicates passing interest if he sees me looking at a concert video or whatever.  It is just way too loud of an atmosphere... not even loud in terms of music.  Lots of intoxicated people, an aura of pot smoke... a pretty lengthy event....  Not for kids, young kids at least IMO.  How "big" of fans could they really be at a young age?   

Maybe an outdoor show on a lawn in a few years?  Like someone said, perhaps a tamer-show such as Weezer or Goo Goo Dolls or something would be better....  but I am in no hurry, really.  I couldn't go to my first concert until I was 18, really.  There are many other places I would rather expose my kids to.  Concerts are also kind of my place away from kids too. 

Also, I would rather sit next to a kid than a drunked out meat head for sure... but it still isn't ideal.  You have to wonder if the parent is one of those "watch your mouth, there are kids here" people... and you really have to watch yourself and be extra cautious/conscious.  Moving around, someone passes you a J... etc... Also, in front of me, kids sitting on shoulders is an annoying vision blockade


But everyone is different, really.  I do think a kindergartner is stretching it though, at least in an arena setting.

deadendp said:

Rob Zombie and Korn last year at Riverbend in Cincinnati.  My, then 12 year old, daughter went with us. We saw this lil one there. Sweet.  Well tended. Brought all the way to the back for RZ. 

I will stand in the "it depends on YOUR kid" camp.  We have spent our daughter's life taking her to museums, lectures, galleries and programs. She has no problem functioning with that. She does not and has never cared for crowds. 

Sometimes people (like those in the photo) have super cool kids who can function in situations most adults cannot. It happens y'all.  Some kids at concerts ARE better behaved than adults. They have never once spilled their beer on me, never knocked me off my feet and landed on me, never thrown things at me, never smoked odd substances not pot or cigarettes in front of me, never got into fights, never got violent in a pit... I can't say the same for adults in attendance at such concerts. 

Do most people hate the idea of kids at concerts?  Probably. I think that most people think of the unmanned kids running wild through the retail stores. Having witnessed many children at many metal concerts, I find that parents really tune into the abilities of their kids and the metal community embraces them.  The people know their kids can handle it. 

My kid?  She was a wait until 12 kid, but she has been in museums and asking questions at lectures since she was three.  Crowds just aren't her thing.  

It isn't a cut and dry case like the driving age.  Each case is different and it is up to the parent to really tune in to their kid. It is honestly why I hate threads like this.  We, as an online community, cannot make this decision or really provide the right information for a child none of us know.  It's a parent thing.  Know your kid.  Know their limits.  Think of the community you will be with.  Make that decision on your own.  

while I agree with your last paragraph for the most part, I don't think it's out of bounds to ask the community their thoughts in case there is anything the OP hasn't already thought of. that's what I get from these threads. Just added input. But inevitibly, the OP usually gets pounced on for even suggesting letting their kid experience anything out of what is considered "acceptable" by those who market products/services to them. 

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?

I know it's an opinion. What else would it be?? This entire topic is completely subjective, clearly, and that would explain why I peppered my comments with things like "I think" and "in my mind".

I took my son to Cincinnati in 2014 and it was fine.  Granted that was in the seats and not GA which I would not of taken him into GA.  He was 10 at the time.  He will probably go to MMJ with me in August.

PJ_Soul said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

PJ_Soul 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?

I know it's an opinion. What else would it be?? This entire topic is completely subjective, clearly, and that would explain why I peppered my comments with things like "I think" and "in my mind".

fair enough. you just often come off as so sure of yourself sometimes that the opposing opinion is indisputible, that's all. 

I'll take that as a compliment, lol.

You two...