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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that young children shouldn't go to Glastonbury.

210 replies

waterducksback · 27/06/2014 19:39

Am I wrong to think that it's not fair to drag very young (6 years and under) children around Glastonbury?
It's not fair on the children and its definitely not fair on the other festival goers.
People pay HUGE amounts for their tickets and I'm sure they want to be able to drink, swear, let their hair down and enjoy themselves as much as possible. Surely having young children around spoils that 'atmosphere?'

OP posts:
AnitaManeater · 28/06/2014 08:51

Ai think some parents should use a bit more common sense when taking their kids to Glastonbury. I was watching Groove Armada on the other stage years ago, there were a group of 30 something's in front of us doing shots in the thick of the crowd and screeching, swearing and jumping up and down. There was a blanket on the floor behind them, and about half a foot in front of me and my friends. It wasn't until I realised the blanket was moving that I spotted a 3yr old child wrapped up in it crying to itself. Was awful.

TheLovelyBoots · 28/06/2014 09:00

^Argh. Anita. That is horrible.

Stinkle · 28/06/2014 09:45

I've never done Glastonbury with the kids, but have taken my children to IoW Festival and Bestival (actual Bestival, not Camp Bestival) they're local so I don't have to suffer the camping

They're both family friendly, with lots of activities for children and family friendly camping fields

My kids won't melt because they've heard someone swearing and seen them being a bit drunk

They have a whale of a time

WashingFanatic · 28/06/2014 10:00

Babies and toddlers are easy. Get a trolley lined with blankets etc and kids sleep in that while you watch bands

Oh dear. YANBU OP. Clearly.

Showy · 28/06/2014 10:17

OP you do realise that you not wanting to take children to a festival is perfectly okay? But that other people might be different? Is this a shock to you? Other people have different preferences? Do you do this with other things too? You don't personally choose to do something and therefore it's wrong?

You do also realise that just because people do some things with their DC, they aren't incapable of leaving them at all?

Or did you just want to be goady? Sorry, my mistake. On you go.

WashingFanatic · 28/06/2014 10:25

I don't see the OPs post as goady at all.

It's a pov that many share. Personally, I wouldn't consider taking young dc. No matter how many men on stilts there are to entertain them. I do (as previously mentioned) also find the thought of sticking your dc in a trolley to sleep whilst you drag them around all the bands fairly horrific tbh.

Like a pp said, I think for many, taking kids to Glastonbury is more of a status symbol...a 'look how bohemian and cool I am' thing. Which is a bit pathetic, for those it applies to.

Deftones · 28/06/2014 10:30

I wouldn't take myself to Glastonbury due to the people there, however I do take my DD to festivals but smaller ones. I take myself and DP to bigger festivals but don't alter my behaviour due to children, and I wouldn't expect others to alter their behaviour due to my child being present

I love festivals with child or without!

Bambamb · 28/06/2014 10:34

Some festivals are not child friendly, Glastonbury is not one of them. There are loads of things there specifically for the kids. Different people go for different things - the music acts are just one part of it. If you take kids you will be having an entirely different weekend doing all the stuff the kids love. Glastonbury is so different from most other festivals, unless you've been you would not know. You need to view it as a weekend away to a small town, say Chester. Some will go for the nightlife, some will take the kids for a family weekend. Chester, for example, is not exclusive to one nor the other. Neither is Glastonbury.
Taking kids will not spoil it for you, it will be a different type of break all together. You go with or without your kids depending what you're after.
Ooh I wish I was there, I love Glastonbury!! Can't wait to take my kids.

Bambamb · 28/06/2014 10:36

I do (as previously mentioned) also find the thought of sticking your dc in a trolley to sleep whilst you drag them around all the bands fairly horrific tbh.

Hahahaha! It's just a pram in another form!!

Bambamb · 28/06/2014 10:37

Gosh imagine all those awful parents sticking their kids in a contraption on wheels so they can take them to places as a family that the kids might just enjoy.....god forbid!

WashingFanatic · 28/06/2014 10:39

Whilst you watch the bands? Mmm, sounds like the kids field.

NobodyLivesHere · 28/06/2014 10:41

I went to my first Glastonbury at 9 months old. My children were 9, 5 and 10 months their first time. We adore this place and will continue to come as a family until the children decide otherwise. yeah they might hear some fruity language but that happens in the street. I don't drag them here. They love it. So OP YABU.

Showy · 28/06/2014 10:42

Having the POV that you wouldn't do something is fine. Making sweeping generalisations about something you don't even understand apparently and declaring that other people should do what you do is something entirely different.

According to the op, children are dragged round, it ruins the atmosphere, it's wrong, you end up babysitting your own dc, bloody kids are included in everything. That's not a personal preference, that's a judgement on other people.

Bambamb · 28/06/2014 10:46

Like many weekend break destinations there are adult only spaces and family spaces. You choose which is suited to you depending on your circumstances and preferences. What is so hard to understand about that?

It would be like me saying you'd be crazy to take your children to London. I mean it's all night clubs, bars and sex shows isn't it?

fledermaus · 28/06/2014 10:46

I've taken DC1 to some (smaller, less "child friendly") festivals as a baby/toddler. Was fairly easy and they seemed to enjoy it!

They were quite portable anyway - sling in the day, wrapped up in a trailer with ear defenders at night. Slept fine while we saw bands.

SignoraStronza · 28/06/2014 10:57

Couldn't imagine enjoying Glastonbury particularly as feel a lot safer and happier taking the littlies to Bloodstock (a heavy metal festival). Fewer drugs, less crime, more likely to be with people we know and the drunkenness is relatively chilled. Not billed as child friendly but there will always be other kids to play with and lots to do. You'd be horrified op, but having worked in a shop in close proximity to Camp Bestival, am so glad we never forked out gazillions for something like that.

Choccyjules · 28/06/2014 10:58

The vocab being used by OP to describe children makes me think they haven't got any.

If I'm wrong, well, it takes all sorts I guess...

maninawomansworld · 28/06/2014 19:15

I am normally the first one to agree with you here OP. Lots of people do take children to all sorts of unsuitable things which not only are not great for the child but also spoil it for others and it really pees me off.

Glastonbury however, is not one of those things.
I've been quite a few times and it is really family friendly. I still wouldn't try to push to the front of the pyramid stage with a toddler in tow or anything like that but if you use common sense then it is a brilliant place to take children (from toddler age upwards.)

maninawomansworld · 28/06/2014 19:16

I have to say though , I'd never take my own - sounds like a LOT of hard work.

Alisvolatpropiis · 28/06/2014 19:18

Yabu

Glastonbury is massive and caters for all.

rideyourbike · 28/06/2014 19:24

Having taken my children twice to Glastonbury, I would say I was fairly experienced. Have you actually been OP? The children's field is massive and full of fun things for adults and kids. There is so much space it really is fine. When we saw Muse, the 20 something's behind us have our twins loads of glow sticks and thought they were cool. I think a lot of the people who go to Glastonbury are an inclusive bunch, anyone is welcome. It certainly is a different experience from V for example, which is very corporate and full of tw@ts!

TheRealAmandaClarke · 28/06/2014 19:26

Yy showy

YAbu.

Hulababy · 28/06/2014 19:31

I'd have no issues with taking a child to Glastonbury.
It's hardly a secret that families are welcome to go with children and they have a family area etc to encourage it.
People know this when they book.

I've only ever taken dd to a couple of small festivals and this year to Car Fest. She's also much older than under 6. But I'd have had no qualms at all taking her to Glastonbury if I'd had the chance to go.

it is something I still fancy doing one year but dh is not convinced and tbh the constant mud bothers me!

Maybe one year.

The prescience if children wouldn't affect me at all.

aquashiv · 28/06/2014 19:32

You must never have been.

I would take ours.

Hulababy · 28/06/2014 19:35

Most people I suspect just keep their children up late for the nights there and sleep in in the morning where possible, and maybe a nap in the afternoon.
Some children are very adaptable.