I wanted to share a couple fun tips for local concert-going with your little ones. Just because you can’t, or don’t want to find a sitter doesn’t mean you should always have to sacrifice all the tiny bits of fun.
My husband and I went down to South Padre Island this weekend for my perfect Mother’s Day. We found this awesome little beach bar/restaurant called Clayton’s Beach Bar where we ate linner and enjoyed live music from a random cover band. It was a wonderful place to sit, relax, enjoy a happy beverage or two, and also to have some family time with the kids. I know a lot of people who don’t go out and enjoy things like concerts or live music with their children because they’re justifiably worried about volume, or their kids going bananas! These tips may prove beneficial in some of those situations.
1. Make Baby Wear Ear Defenders
Baby Banz are the greatest invention ever. We took my daughter to the Greek Festival downtown a few years ago and boy was that music LOUD. I felt awful for the other kids who were covering their ears while their parents were enjoying the delicious food. Our ear defenders came to the rescue. This is probably one of our most valuable baby items.
2. Sit Away From the Speakers
Ear defenders are fabulous. 100% fabulous! Ear protection doesn’t mean you should stick your child near the speaker, or lay him or her down for a little nap near the stage just because you have to be in the front row.
3. Pre-Screen the Music for Age Appropriateness
I know not all parents worry about cursing and content, and that’s okay, but I feel incredibly strong about making sure the music my children listen to is not “curse this, curse that, curse the world, baaahhh!” So, if you are a nit-picky parent like me, you may want to do a quick google search for your venue and make sure you know who is playing and the kind of music the artist plays: Do they play covers? Do they play original music? Do their albums all have profanity warnings? What is the genre?
4. Sit Near the Potty
Three year olds like to wait until you’re farthest away from the potty to yell “MOMMY!!! PEE, POOT!” Position yourself in a place where accidents can be easily avoided.
5. Bring Snacks and Small Toys
My daughter cycles through excitement and then little pockets of boredom, so I always bring some highlighters and paper, or little light up toys so she can participate in the show. I try and keep snacks in my bag as well to placate her during those little pockets of boredom
Both of my kids have been to concerts both in utero and out of the womb. I wouldn’t trade those memories for the world. While I certainly don’t make a habit of taking the kids to every single live music experience, I do enjoy the occasional family outing.
It’s not a secret that I love Hanson. I mean, I LOVE Hanson. In 1997 those three golden-haired boys were plastered all over my walls and ceiling. I walked around jamming out to my Middle of Nowhere cassette tape in my boombox (yes, I had a boombox). Here I am, thirty-two years old, with two kids, and a husband, still following the same band, trying hard to attend concerts without having to hire babysitters for my littles. A few years ago Brewster Street Icehouse and Beach 96.5 brought Hanson to Corpus Christi; I didn’t have kids back then, but I remember thinking that it was the PERFECT venue, and PERFECT band to bring the kids and enjoy the music! (P.S. Dear Brewster Street and The Beach… you both earned ALL. MY. LOVE. for bringing Hanson to my hometown that beautiful April day.) So, whether you’re watching live music at Whataburger Field, Brewster Street, Cole Park or any other local family-friendly venues I hope these tips help!
