Glastonbury with 4 yr old and 1yr old

[niceglasses]

Last minute as usual....I have 2 tickets to Glastonbury for the 1st time. I had thought my almost yr old little girl would be off the boob by now, but no. Therefore, really I have to take her and my 4 yr old (and my hubby who isn't too keen). Also have 2 yr old but hoping my mum will have him. So, has anyone been with kids? What is it honestly like? Will the kids be okay? Please be honest.....

My little girl is only really feeding off me once during the day but quite a bit a night (more comfort I think), but I'd feel bad leaving her even though I'm ready to give up now. She doesn't drink a lot from a cup.Any thoughts???

[NannyJo]

is it really safe enough for children? would you enjoy it being orried about them and their whereabouts?

Not been to Glastonbury but heard lots from family, but may be wrong

[niceglasses]

Hi NannyJo, I suppose thats what I'm asking as I've never been before, but as I'm still feeding my daughter I can't really leave her. My options are to go with her and probably my older boy as well, or not to go. Unfortunately I don't think I can go kid free, as much as I'd like to..........

[Pollyanna]

niceglasses I'm going too!! I'm taking my baby and my 6 yo. I'm leaving my 2 yo at home. I also have a 4 yo - I would like to take her, but at the moment she wants to stay with the 2yo.

There is a thread on here from the 2003 festival which seems to suggest it isn't a completely mad idea. i can't seem to be able to post a link at the moment. Also check out the Glastonbury official website - it has information on what's on for children. (again I can't post a link at the moment for some reason).

it is at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk and also www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=222&threadid=8873 - the links wouldn't work.

I must admit, I am having second thoughts about going at all!

[Alannah]

I have to say I think you are both mad and that the trip could very quickly turn into a vision of hell. Whilst I know lots of nice normal people go to Glastonbury the majority of people attending will be out of their heads and as such present a risk to your children. Would it be such a big deal to wait until next year when you are kid free and you could enjoy the experience more with out worry?

[Thomcat]

I'm off to the Big Chill in August with a 3 and a half year old (who can't walk) and I'll be 5 months pregant. So any tips you come home with from Glastonbury I'll be glad to hear them.
Have a fabulous time, I really, really hope that you all hav e a great time with lots of laughs.
Can't wait to hear all about it, TC

[Thomcat]

Buy/make ID braclets for them both incase God forbid you loose sight for a sec. Maybe take reins for the older one?????
Have a comfy base to go back to when needs be, a gazebo as well as the tent. Argos do folding table & stools in 1 for 20 quid.

[fatmomma]

Hi niceglasses (love the name btw), I know quite a few people who have been with families and had good experiences. As another poster mentioned there is a family field where there will be a lot of other children camped and there is lots of entertainment.

Also, the Mendip branch of the NCT run a 'baby tent' with changing facilities, baby bath, microwave, bottle warming and quite corner for breastfeeding. Perhaps they could give you some advice. I don't have their number to hand but they have a website which should have contact details mendipnct .

If it is the thought of camping with lo's that is putting you off you could always book a b&b to go back to at the end of the day.

HTH

[burstingbug]

I went to Glasto last year just after I found out I was pregnant. It was a fab time but I was really worried about slipping over all the time. If it rains - and it usually does @ Glasto the whole place just becomes one big mudslide.
There are things to consider like getting there early enough in the week to get a space for your tent, making sure the little ones don't run off while you put your tent up (we put ours up and it started to rain!)carrying wet muddy children around, mud in the tent etc etc.
That one of the reasons why I said no to going this year with our DS who'll be 4 months that week.
DH has gone every year for the past 9 years and is gutted he can't go.
There were lots of families there last year and some of the children were very young (still babies)they seemed to be having a whale of a time.

Don't know whether I just waffled utter trash or helped you a bit.

[JoolsToo]

can't think of anything more horrendous

[JoolsToo]

yes I can but anyway I wouldn't take kids!

[vivat]

Thomcat - we went to the Big Chill 2 years ago with ds who was then 2.5 and had a brilliant time. It's much much smaller than Glastonbury (not that i've been) and very chilled. You'll have a fab time. Only thing is there is quite a walk (and a big hill) between the campsite and the festival, so you'll won't be popping back to the tent during the day.

[handlemecarefully]

I'm sure it will be safe as such, but I wouldn't do it because wouldn't want my 3 year old having to use a shit covered portaloo etc.

[Thomcat]

Thanks vivat.
My best mate and Lottie's Godmother is also coming so we'll have an extra pair of hands and someone who loves her very nearly as much as we do!
I can't wait.

[handlemecarefully]

maybe I should live a bit....

[tarantula]

I havent been to Glastonbury with children but I know they have lots of things for children to do and its not just a music festival. When I went years ago there were loads of families there with kids and they all seemed to ahve a good time. As I say that was a few years ago and not sure if the athmosphere has changed at all. Id say go and Im sure your 4yr old will have a brilliant time and pray that it doesnt rain

[Thomcat]

Well my 3 year old is in nappies anyway but i'd take a potty and/or a portaloo if I needed to.
i think kids at festivals, hanging out listening to great music with their parents is fab.

Hopefully I'll still be saying that after the big chill.

I have to say I choose the big chill a) cos of the fab line up but b) cos it is so child friendly. I'd be a bit more apprenhensive about Glastonbury. I've been to Glastonbury many years ago in my younger, pre-kids days and on one occasion after we'd put the tent up I didn't ever see it again! Slept rough all weekend! I was a mess! I wouldn't have wanted me near my kids or anyone else at all for that matter!

[handlemecarefully]

Yes I am sure that kids will thoroughly enjoy something like this - lots for them to see and do. I'm just old and dull before my time!

[moondog]

niceglasses..blimey,you're brave.On my Gastonbury forays,I've had enough trouble looking after myself,let alone anyone else!
Do remember nice areas for families and lots of kids though
TC,lol about your vanishing tent! Was it nicked or were you rather worse for wear?

I drank from a stream in Glastonbury in the middle of the night (ragng scrumpy thirst) and was really ill for the next few days,especialy when Isaw what was in the stream the next morning....

[Thomcat]

I was PROPERLY worse for wear. First and last time - I'd taken a micro dot, incredibly strong acid OH MY GOD!

1st night I slept on the ground next to a huge bonfire after watching the ORB and the 2nd night I unzipped the opening of someones huge 6 bedroom tyoe tent and slept in the corner. They got up in the morning, said hello and went off to listen to more music! Awful really but you have to go mad and have stupid experiences like that when you're young and mad
Never, EVER again though.

[moondog]

[Thomcat]

[niceglasses]

Hummmmm, lots to think about. Thanks for all the replies. Feel at the mo that I have to take her if I want to go, but maybe not fair on her....however, no festival next year, me pushing 40 and I have so been looking forward to it after a pretty tough year.....ho hum

[moschops]

as far as i know the Kidz Field last year had 'security' at the entrance making sure only suitable people were allowed in, likewise in the family camping field.

if you go to www.efestivals.co.uk and go to the Glastonbury forum in the community area you will get lots of advice and maybe even make contact with a few others who are taking young children (i have used this site for years and made some very good friends there)

and i have to point out that in its 25 odd year history it has only been rainy and very muddy about 5 times.............people keep saying how it's muddy EVERY year and its just not true.....it ony gets publicity in the bad weather years!!!

[handlemecarefully]

Oh just go niceglasses! sorry about my party pooper comments about shitty portaloos earlier (just a personal bugbear)