Parents taking babies to weddings/matches/concerts.

Sheepdish1 · 13-08-2018 11:25PM

I think it’s great to bring babies/ kids to things but concerts etc are unsafe imo....I was at a festival and noticed a baby in a car seat on the ground in a tent that had a fairly wild gig which is nuts....Gig was late and quite messy!

A new baby is quite fragile and it’s too busy at stadiums/concerts...crowds of that scale aren’t safe for small babies imo ...alcohol, crowds pushing etc. Considered bringing young baby to big concert lately and decided against it which was the right decision, I would have been a bag of nerves ðŸ˜Š

Apart from all the above I would be concerned about ears getting damaged, I would imagine they are still developing

screamer · 13-08-2018 11:34PM

Wedding no problem, especially if the wedding is a family one. Tbh the only ones inconvenienced there are the parents themselves. Usually they book a room.in the hotel so baby can go to bed.

Concerts/ matches etc....no. unfair levels of noise and no routine for the baby, no facilities to change or feed them, just selfish and imho showing off their baby like an accessory as if they're the only people to ever have a baby.

yabadabado · 13-08-2018 11:43PM

maxsmum wrote: »

I love that the GAA said a baby should have its own seat 'for health and safety reasons'... you couldn't make it up... a baby rolling off a plastic seat instead of sleeping on its mum's chest.

If mum is feeding baby, of course it has to go everywhere with her. A seated event shouldn't be an issue and it has exposed the GAA as really family-unfriendly.

How about not going to the match ? It's exposed nothing other than anyone attending must have a ticket,doesn't stop the baby sitting on its parents lap.

Super-Rush · 13-08-2018 11:44PM

I always enjoy it when families with young kids go somewhere.

I enjoy watching them spend about 25 minutes just getting out of the car, performing heroics getting buggies assembled, hooking 47 bags to said buggies, then twleve mini trips back to the car for blankies and soothers and bottles, wipes, hats, games.

I also enjoy not having to deal with that amount of craziness.

The Crowman · 14-08-2018 12:30AM

Murray TheDemonic TalkingSkull wrote: »

To each their own. But getting a baby or toddler organised for a day out is like a military operation and preparation.

No it's not. Leave the brat with the grandparents

14-08-2018 12:39AM

Super-Rush wrote: »

I always enjoy it when families with young kids go somewhere.

I enjoy watching them spend about 25 minutes just getting out of the car, performing heroics getting buggies assembled, hooking 47 bags to said buggies, then twleve mini trips back to the car for blankies and soothers and bottles, wipes, hats, games.

I also enjoy not having to deal with that amount of craziness.

Surely a small baby would only need one bag with a few bottles, a few nappies, and a packet of wipes. Or as mammy used to do to me, spit on a hanky

I know toddlers and older children are different because they want their toys and juice and snacks and things. Although you'd fit all that in to one handy bag as well.

14-08-2018 01:12AM

Pauliedragon wrote: »

I was reading on RTE that a woman isn't happy that she'll have to buy a ticket for her 16 week old son to get him into the Gaelic football final. He's been to 7 games already this season and it got me thinking. My girl I know used to take her newborn to the cinema, a neighbour of mine who moonlights as a wedding photographer said it's a nightmare these days with the amount of really young babies at weddings and the parents of said kids are almost taking over his time by getting him to take pics of the child. Half the time he says the parents barely know the couple and there was a bit of a kerfuffle in Cork recently where a couple had a very young child at a concert. I find it a bit strange taking babies to these events.

RTE? RTE actually covered this? Jesus fcuking christ!

bigpink · 14-08-2018 01:24AM

So they can take pics and have kids look cute with the baby ear muff things

My friend was at All Together Now festival said the amount of kids going round with drunk and drugged adults was crazy but it’s ok there middle class

BuboBubo · 14-08-2018 01:56AM

The Crowman wrote: »

No it's not. Leave the brat with the grandparents

Not all grandparents want to be stuck with the little demons either, just saying

Must be tough to be a parent though. Looking in from the outside (I'm childfree thank goodness), it seems to be a constant thankless drudgery, hauling their little darlings everywhere. Can't blame parents for trying to maintain some of their past enjoyment/social lives tbh. Even if they get plenty of tut-tuts from everyone else.

They're damned if they do, damned if they don't. Sadly the most judgemental of all are other parents.

mvl · 14-08-2018 05:41AM

Sheepdish1 wrote: »

I think it’s great to bring babies/ kids to things but concerts etc are unsafe imo....I was at a festival and noticed a baby in a car seat on the ground in a tent that had a fairly wild gig which is nuts....Gig was late and quite messy!

A new baby is quite fragile and it’s too busy at stadiums/concerts...crowds of that scale aren’t safe for small babies imo ...alcohol, crowds pushing etc. Considered bringing young baby to big concert lately and decided against it which was the right decision, I would have been a bag of nerves &#55357;&#56842;

Apart from all the above I would be concerned about ears getting damaged, I would imagine they are still developing

I thought I've seen parents getting noise blocking headphones for these toddlers. Not sure if they can be used for small babies though.

erica74 · 14-08-2018 06:50AM

bigpink wrote: »

So they can take pics and have kids look cute with the baby ear muff things

My friend was at All Together Now festival said the amount of kids going round with drunk and drugged adults was crazy but it’s ok there middle class

There was more children there than adults! There was babies, toddlers and young children at Underworld at midnight on the Saturday night, Underworld!
The vast majority of children I saw out very late in the evenings looked absolutely wrecked and like they'd rather be in their beds.
Children at festivals always strikes me as parents trying to be seen as cool.

Cabaal · 14-08-2018 07:01AM

Grandeeod wrote: »

Exactly. However the "entitled" aspect of life these days goes way beyond a traveller in Tallaght looking for a house. It's in all aspects of society. Just look at the Mayo mum in Newbridge wanting to breast feed her young baby in a stadium on the day of a football game.

On no! She wanted to feed her baby. That's just awful.....

Sigh.

uck51js9zml2yt · 14-08-2018 07:11AM

I came across a photo of my wife and our friend at our wedding with the friends baby.
It wasn't a problem for us.

Springfields · 14-08-2018 07:11AM

As a mum of 3 I've no clue why any parent would want to bring kids of any age to weddings /concerts / matches. You would spend your time feeding /changing / entertaining the little ones who will have zero Interest in being there in the first place. Either find a baby sitter or stay at home...

mvl · 14-08-2018 07:11AM

erica74 wrote: »

There was more children there than adults! There was babies, toddlers and young children at Underworld at midnight on the Saturday night, Underworld!
The vast majority of children I saw out very late in the evenings looked absolutely wrecked and like they'd rather be in their beds.
Children at festivals always strikes me as parents trying to be seen as cool.

Are you a parent yourself ? - cause parents should know when the kids need to be put to bed. and I wouldn't jump thinking parents would want to be seen as cool (who cares what everybody else is thinking about here); I would say some parents don't know what they are doing, while others are having a lifestyle they want to share with their kids.
On this ... if there were parents exposing the children to them being under the influence this would be poor parenting (if you as a parent are under the influence, how are you able to protect your child, should something happen in the festival environment you're bringing the child).

But looking at your post - maybe it was not all great about THIS festival.

John_Rambo · 14-08-2018 10:48AM

Grandeeod wrote: »

At a stadium for a fooking match? Sorry pal. I wouldn't have done it to my child. She's 11 next year and it will be her first time in Croke Park. But she did do some of the Electric Picnic last year.:D

Sorry pal. I'll repeat myself. Mothers can breastfeed their babies whenever, wherever they want.

Spook_ie · 14-08-2018 10:55AM

John_Rambo wrote: »

? Mothers are entitled to breast feed their babies wherever they want.

But not if they need a ticket!

PlaneSpeeking · 14-08-2018 11:00AM

John_Rambo wrote: »

Sorry pal. I'll repeat myself. Mothers can breastfeed their babies whenever, wherever they want.

Can they ?

Perhaps they can physically but should they ?

What makes parents so selfish that you think we want to be drawn into your domestic life ?

seamus · 14-08-2018 11:02AM

There are some people desperate to prove how much they have their life together that they can just continue doing what they've always done while they have a baby in tow. To hell with what's best for the child.

I remember reading an article once about a couple who decided to sell up and go on a round-the-world backpacking trip...with a six month old. And declared that it wasn't that bad.

Sure it wasn't, sunken cost fallacy and all that.

If that's what floats your boat, fine. It's not what floats mine. I go to matches to watch the match, having a child constantly begging for attention would take away from that.
And venues shouldn't be forced to accommodate your bizarre choices to bring your children to unsuitable events. In fact, we often have laws to prevent this kind of stupidity; like children being barred from pubs past 9pm.

If I was Croke Park, I'd be considering banning children under the age of 3. They don't want to be there, and they're using up a seat that someone else could use. Also they don't eat much.

Henry Ford III · 14-08-2018 11:03AM

Selfish parents with a sense of entitlement.

By all means bring the kids, but pay for their tickets. Otherwise just organise/hire a babysitter.

Niman was right - having kids means sacrifices have to be made, particularly in relation to social events.

SusieBlue · 14-08-2018 11:07AM

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Can they ?

Perhaps they can physically but should they ?

What makes parents so selfish that you think we want to be drawn into your domestic life ?

Yes, they absolutely should.
Would you have a problem with a woman bottle feeding a child in public?
If you wouldn't, you're a hypocrite. Its the same thing.

14-08-2018 11:14AM

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Can they ?

Perhaps they can physically but should they ?

What makes parents so selfish that you think we want to be drawn into your domestic life ?

Are you saying breasfeeding in public is selfish?
I don't understand that view at all.

seamus · 14-08-2018 11:17AM

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Can they ?

Perhaps they can physically but should they ?

What makes parents so selfish that you think we want to be drawn into your domestic life ?

The child is eating.

What's the difference between that child eating and you drinking a cup of coffee?

no.8 · 14-08-2018 11:19AM

LirW wrote:

Look, that's all just gonna pan out in a parent- and wedding bashing thread anyway, so I'm here for the craic.

Tbh, weddings are fine, up until the evening entertainment kicks off in full.

Gigs/sports areas are going to be different right from the get-go. Noise levels are fairly constant and far too high for young children with developing auditory systems in the case of the latter and they'll be overwhelmed. There are ear defenders but I think they are only suitable for babies 3 months or older (due to pressure on the skull).

Weddings can get v noisy as well (depending on the venue)
, but usually on well into the evening. I think most people wouldn't bat an eyelid at you having a baby there for the church/dinner/early evening unless the child is very upset

s7ryf3925pivug · 14-08-2018 11:24AM

The thing about a wedding is that if it's close family or friends you'll be expected to attend and all the people you usually can ask to mind your kid might be there too.

Two weddings like that so far. One ai stayed home because my kid was sick anyway and my wife went alone. The other I'm going to leave as soon as I can while being polite about it, and we have these little insulated headphones for him.

For other events, including weddings of people less close, we have either skipped them or arranged someone to look after him.

LCD · 14-08-2018 11:28AM

Have a 9month old & we have a 5th wedding anniversary coming up. Would love to go to a really nice hotel & restaurant. However she is a restless sleeper & wouldn't be fair on anyone willing to mind her for the night.
By the same token if we took her with us, it wouldn't be fair on other guests, who are paying their hard earned money in a nice restaurant/hotel, to potentially have their dinner ruined by a child.

Were in Kilkee recently & went to a really nice restaurant. She woke up, was making a bit of noise, required constant entertainment. Wasn't fair on other diners, luckily the restaurant had a 2nd dining area that wasn't opened that night & they let us dine in there. Felt bad as was more hassle for the staff.

Our 5th anniversary will probably be spent in the same venue as the wife's 40th. The local across the road at 5pm, when it's empty!!

PlaneSpeeking · 14-08-2018 11:30AM

LCD wrote: »

Have a 9month old & we have a 5th wedding anniversary coming up. Would love to go to a really nice hotel & restaurant. However she is a restless sleeper & wouldn't be fair on anyone willing to mind her for the night.
By the same token if we took her with us, it wouldn't be fair on other guests, who are paying their hard earned money in a nice restaurant/hotel, to potentially have their dinner ruined by a child.

Were in Kilkee recently & went to a really nice restaurant. She woke up, was making a bit of noise, required constant entertainment. Wasn't fair on other diners, luckily the restaurant had a 2nd dining area that wasn't opened that night & they let us dine in there. Felt bad as was more hassle for the staff.

Our 5th anniversary will probably be spent in the same venue as the wife's 40th. The local across the road at 5pm, when it's empty!!

See there needs to be more parents like you - and less of the wagon on the train last night who walked the screaming brat up and down the aisle - just in case we weren't disturbed enough by the little bollix.

LirW · 14-08-2018 11:31AM

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Can they ?

Perhaps they can physically but should they ?

What makes parents so selfish that you think we want to be drawn into your domestic life ?

The child is eating, since it's a baby it's very most likely not able to eat anything else.

I'm not standing in favour of locking women in at home until their child eats in a presentable manner because some people have a screwed up view on tiddies. They are made to feed children mainly. If you have a problem with it, don't look. Ireland has crap breastfeeding rates to begin with and that mindset that feeding a child is a domestic matter is certainly not helping to normalise it.

Sunny Dayz · 14-08-2018 11:33AM

I think taking a baby to a wedding is just more hassle than it's worth. Unless it's a family member or close friend then IMO it's not worth the hassle. I've seen it before with couples, having to step outside the church and miss the ceremony, a cold dinner cos the baby woke just as the meal was being served, not getting to relax cos you're trying to get baby to sleep or feed and one of you has a very early night and early start the next morn. But if you have no babysitter and it's a wedding you feel you must attend, then fair fecks if you want to put yourself through that. I didn't bring my son to any weddings as a child, I knew it would be me doing all the minding and I want to actually enjoy a wedding.

I can understand no babies or small children at large stadiums like Croke Park or Avivia - they are massive venues and patrons are tightly squeezed in. It's hard enough getting in and out of a row, how do you get past someone with a tot sitting on their knee? Other GAA stadiums around the country have more room and generally have terraces along one side of the pitch or behind the goals.

xi5yvm0owc1s2b · 14-08-2018 11:35AM

PlaneSpeeking wrote: »

Can they ?

Perhaps they can physically but should they ?

What makes parents so selfish that you think we want to be drawn into your domestic life ?

How is it affecting you in any way?

Parents taking babies to weddings/matches/concerts.

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