in thinking that sending 7 year old children to fireworks....

[Eve4Walle]

parties with proper fully-functioning ear protectors (the type that they use for clay-shooting etc) is just a teeny bit precious?

Surely the whole point of fireworks are that they are loud and if the child is too nervy to deal with this, they should watch from inside?

There might be reasons you don't know about

Oh, YABU!!!!!

I send mine with them on plus dark sunglasses too....I don't want the to hurt their precious eyesight.....you can't be too careful you know

Possibly. Two children though, one of whom I know for sure is just nervy.

It would seem that way to me but, at the risk of invoking the old AIBU cliche, are you sure the child doesn't have special needs? A lot of ASD children, for example, don't like loud noises but can cope if their ears are shielded a bit.

If they are just your average 7 yr old then yes, I would agree with you.

My DS2 wore ear protectors (the proper ones, cost us a small fortune) last year because he has autism and is very noise sensitive. We didn't take him this year because even they didn't keep the loud noises out.

YABU, nothing precious about it!

YABateensybitU. My nephew is horrified of the loud bangs but loves all pretty colours. Watching from inside is just not the same, but he has no choice as we have no access to ear protectors like that. I'd let him wear them if we did though.

OTOH if his mum just simmered a little and stopped being so over protective and OTT he probably wouldn't be so scared. But as his mum is rather scary herself, I'll not say anything

I would probably be more inclined to go and watch a fireworks display if I had some of them..............

If if means they can go out and enjoy it then what's the problem? Some of the monster fireworks are bloody loud. They keep their ears warm too.

My DC's have the kids ear defenders, but they are only 4 & 2.

Depends what the child's needs were, on the SN threads, a lot of us have children that like fireworks to look at but can't cope with the noise.
Some wear ear defenders in class, or out shopping, because of the hubub of noise.
Some parents worry about eardrum damage from excessive loud noises to their NT children.
So, to me you come across as a bit naive and uninformed.

Stupidness, children need desensitising not wrapped up in cotton wool, such sillyness.

After going to our local fireworks yesterday, I am considering this for DD next year. She loves the colours etc but the loudness makes her so panicy (if that is a word). There is no reason why she shouldn't take part in the "experience" as far as I am concerned, plus the fact that, where we live, if she stayed indoors, she would see bugger all as the local display is at the other end of town!!
Maybe a bit precious, but makes for a happier evening all round

Okay, I agree if they have SN. I'm talking about 7 year olds with no SN though.

So you know the children, and are such a close friend that the parents trust you to know if their child is on the spectrum?

Umm, yes.

some people (adults too) generally don't cope well with loud noises.

I always hated loud bangs (fireworks/thunder/balloons popping) as a child. I still went to firework displays, ended up out in storms, and had balloons at parties.

But I can't say that "exposing" me to them made me any more comfortable around them. Very loud bangs absolutely terrify me.

It's just the way I am.

If I had a child that was as sensitive as me about really loud bangs/noises then I'd probably consider doing the same as the parents of the 7yr olds you saw - rather than make them miss out, or grow up constantly terrified of them

ds used to wear ear defenders up to age 5 as he hated the noise of fireworks but loved the colour.He's a little less noise sensitive now so doesn't wear them anymore.

He's not sn

I couldn't give a shit if anyone judged me or him,it would be none of your business as to what he wore on his ears and why he wore them.

I think a lot of parents are over-protective and hysterical about all sorts of things.
Ear-defenders are not far up the scale of insane parenting.

arghh missed a word out of my first line

people "without SN" should be in there

Oh, YABsoooooU!

DS1 doens't have any diagnosed SN. He is how ever, extremely sensative to noise (and smells and touch, but those are completely different threads).

I wish I'd thought of giving him ear defenders to watch fireworks.

Why should the child stay inside, when he can wear ear defenders.

Should a child who gets cold easily stay inside rather than wear gloves?

Did the ear defenders bother anyone else?

Once again, YABU.

It could be part of a long, carefully-managed programme of desensitisation, moving to earbuds, then cotton wool, then a hat over the ears...by the time they are teenagers, they will be able to cope with an entire barrage.

Where did I say it bothered me? This is AIBU - everyone has different opinions. This is mine.

And for heavens sake a child doesn't need to be "on the spectrum" be sensory sensitive.

Do you know what actually OP - thanks for starting this thread.

Next year I think I'll actually take my DS's to see a firework display.

i'd never have thought of getting ear defenders so that DS3 and I could enjoy watching them without being shit scared. Think I may just do that.

Want to get some anyhow for us to go and watch the Parade of Power from the best watching places.

DS1 (4) stays inside AND wears ear protectors - at his insistance not ours! even for the quiet ones, he gets very very upset at loud noises!

"they will be able to cope with an entire barrage."

or not if they're like me Goblin