Taking Children

[Sawdusty surfer]

your children will absolutely love it. you may have to pretend to be a bit strict on curfews for them........if they haven't been to a similar event before they will not want to sleep. go for it and let them have a bit of freedom, my two are 13 and 15 and have been to every glasto since they were born. a good place for children to experience a bit of independance in a totally fun and safe environment. it was a wonderful moment when we asked the children who they wanted to babysit..................

."babysitters????????????? were going out tonight " they replied. and then when we return back to camp half an hour after the kids they berate us for drinking !

[YouWhat]

your children will absolutely love it. you may have to pretend to be a bit strict on curfews for them........if they haven't been to a similar event before they will not want to sleep. go for it and let them have a bit of freedom, my two are 13 and 15 and have been to every glasto since they were born. a good place for children to experience a bit of independance in a totally fun and safe environment. it was a wonderful moment when we asked the children who they wanted to babysit..................

."babysitters????????????? were going out tonight " they replied. and then when we return back to camp half an hour after the kids they berate us for drinking !

[talullah]

No such thing as a totally safe environment any place thesedays ?? even more so at large festivals, no matter were they are. I culd never have subjected any of my three daughters to some of the sights seen at some festivals,but it was our choice,and as long as the childern there don't get in the way i have no real problem with it.

[YouWhat]

as long as you dont get in the way of the children, Im sure they dont have a problem with you being at a "Family" festival either!

Edited March 16, 2009 by YouWhat

[Funkfarley]

Don't know how you can call it a family festival !!!.....Drugs, drunks, then again if its what you want to subject childern to its your choice...as i have said its my decesion not to have taken my daughters to any festivals and its a parents choice if they want to,and i have no problem with that, just putting my views on the subject

[MarlboroughMosh]

Yeh kids are great! I have 2 myself but! I love getting mangled so I would not recomend it, If your anything like me lol

[whatmidlifecrisis?]

Don't know how you can call it a family festival !!!.....Drugs, drunks, then again if its what you want to subject childern to its your choice...as i have said its my decesion not to have taken my daughters to any festivals and its a parents choice if they want to,and i have no problem with that, just putting my views on the subject Oh and i will definatley not be getting anyplace near any childrens events ect, having brought up thee daughters,mainly on my own and having 6 grandchildren i feel i deserve a rest thesedays

[lme]

I agree that of course it is parents choice but to the original poster please do not think that Glasto is awash with drunks and drugged up idoits. It isn't. There ARE lots of people drinking and I assume taking drugs (lots of weed, etc but nothing heavier than this in the open) but the atmosphere is not one that is threatening or feels in anyway dangerous. If you are concerned then do one year without kids to see for yourself. In our case we took ours after friends told us that they would love it and it would be fine - it was more than fine. You only have to look at the crime stats for GLasto to see that it is safer than any town centre (remember there are over 150k there). We didn;t stay in the family area but high above the Pyramid stage and it was a great atmosphere - if you go in to the familiy area I am told it is even better and with lots of same minded people around you will have a ball.

I also agree with those that do not want the kids there as it is nice to let your hair down and feel like an irresponsible teenager again!

[lme]

There are lots of reasons people take (or choose not to take) their kids to festivals. I take mine mainly because festivals are often the only place the smaller ones can see their favourite bands. So far, we've done a few one day festivals, an evening at Reading (we live nearby), a couple of Glastonbury's & Benicassim & it has worked out fine.

Glastonbury isn't an escape for me, more a chance to spend a few days with the kids, doing something we all enjoy, away from the routine of everyday life. I live near London & go to a huge number of gigs on my own. If I'm going to see a band my 12yo likes (and it isn't 18+) I take her as she's OK with late nights & can now hold her own down @ the front, however hectic it gets. However, most gigs are too late for the smaller ones & I hate getting upstairs seated tickets (the only option with little kids) to see bands I like.

Seems only fair to take the smaller ones somewhere as child friendly as Glastonbury when I get a chance. Doesn't really stop me doing anything I want to & they have a ball. But it very much depends what you want from a festival & I understand why some people might want to experience Glastonbury without their kids.

[jacketspud]

I keep thinking I may give mine no choice at some point (stay with nanny) but she is more keen than ever to go these days. She will be nearly 9 this time and she still thinks a rude word when I said beginning with sh (she thought I meant shut up) Now im not looking to shelter ( I sometimes tell her some and what they mean just to educate!) infact I think it is good to see the sights and hear the sounds but its kind of nice that they stay innocent as long as possible too - alot still goes over her head (shes like her mum) so I may never have to worry!- I dont know - or she may come back very different girl this year! We went to see fame at the theatre not long a go and her words after that were "im never eating drugs mum!" Maybe I should have told her about my experience (when young) of eating "homemade" fariy cakes at that point ...but I chose to leave it there!!

Also just to add ive had better Glastonburys with her than without - for a start I remember alot more of them now and we do all sorts of things that we wouldnt have done had she not been there. Last Year was Great!

Edited March 16, 2009 by jacketspud

[jacketspud]

it was bad - as in sh ..."shit"

but i thought it was going to be like the film. It was a 2 for 1 offer I now know why.

They had mostly made up a whole load of new songs - the last one fame was the only one i knew!

[Pauljoanss]

I know this is turning the subject around, but my 1st G was in 2004 and I have to thank my "children" for taking me. It was a but daunting at 51 yo to think of mixing with lots of youngsters and all the horrible toilet stories but it was fantastic, everyone great (average age not as young as expected) and the toilets not so bad.

Without their encouragement I would have sat at home and continued to watch it on TV every year.

Going for 3rd time this year (BS & NY what a treat for oldies) with my 3 "children" and just cannot wait, cannot wait, cannot wait...............

[Sawdusty surfer]

No such thing as a totally safe environment any place thesedays ?? even more so at large festivals, no matter were they are. I culd never have subjected any of my three daughters to some of the sights seen at some festivals,but it was our choice,and as long as the childern there don't get in the way i have no real problem with it.

[denwyn]

would you let your children play in the woods. would you let your children off on a bike ride on their own? are your children given the same chance of risk assement and self relience and self confidence building as when when we were kids. ours really thrive on it.

[whatmidlifecrisis?]

Under responsible supervision......otherwise no......not in this day and age........just read the papers, and watch the news.......My choice....nothing wrong with my children either....all working, happy and self sufficient.....and with happy families of there own

Edited March 17, 2009 by whatmidlifecrisis?

[FunkyChunkyMonkey]

Ah - the cotton wool generation.

Unless you live in the middle of a gang-war zone or next do to a paedo hostile (or read the Daily Mail ) then it has to be good to let your kids out of your sight from time to time (age permitting of course....).

and to return to the point - Glasto is a great place to give them a bit of freedom (again it depends on age).

[whatmidlifecrisis?]

Don't drag Denwyn into a debate on this. We have debated this before and he has his own opinions on this which he defends well and you can't knock him for it. I believe he respects other people's decisions to take their kids and I likewise respect his opinions.

For the record though taking my (then) 7 yr old and 3 year old last year vastly contributed to it being my best ever. Think I was getting a bit tired of being wasted there all the time. Hope we get chance to do same this year

[FunkyChunkyMonkey]

Whoa . Thank you for putting me in my place but I am not sure I was dragging anyone anywhere. Obviously apologies to Denwyn if offence was taken but none was meant - just my view on the way we cossett kids perhaps a little too much.

[daveinafield]

this thread is the reason i love Glasto. i would do even think for one minute of taking a young child to Reading - that is the difference. My 18th month old will be going to Glasto if we can hire a cheap camper van if not deffo next year

[JackmyJack]

No such thing as a totally safe environment any place thesedays ?? even more so at large festivals, no matter were they are. I culd never have subjected any of my three daughters to some of the sights seen at some festivals,but it was our choice,and as long as the childern there don't get in the way i have no real problem with it.

[crimsonking]

Take your kids, but dont assume that everyone will love them, if you allow them to 'express themselves' near my tent with my grown up hang-over then dont expect them to get a cheery hello in the morning.

[JackmyJack]

Take your kids, but dont assume that everyone will love them, if you allow them to 'express themselves' near my tent with my grown up hang-over then dont expect them to get a cheery hello in the morning.

Edited March 17, 2009 by JackmyJack

[daveinafield]

can you get people ejected from here??

[Funkfarley]

im gona come in your tent and rape you

[denwyn]

sorry, couldn't help re-reading your post... "read the papers, and watch the news"

or live your life