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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you judge kids at a music festival?

152 replies

MonstranceClock · 22/06/2019 08:07

Next year my daughter will be old enough to come with me to a festival that she wants to go to. I went myself this year and saw lots of kids her age, all having a blast. However, a few of the parents had issues with people coming up to them and telling them that children didnt belong there and they should be ashamed.
I personally don't see the issue, it's basically just a huge fair ground with live music.
If you do judge, aibu to ask why?

OP posts:
SkintAsASkintThing · 22/06/2019 11:21

We went to see Metallica last week and there were loads.of kids there. A lot were on the floor too.

I didn't judge the parents at all. It's a well run event. The people who are getting slaughtered on alcohol or drugs all tend to congregate in the same area anyways.

lastqueenofscotland · 22/06/2019 11:22

Depends which one. I wouldn’t take a small child to T In the park. Though I probably wouldnt take my worst enemy to t in the park...

PineappleSeahorse · 22/06/2019 11:23

I never understand why venues allow children into inappropriate things though I understand that it's ultimately the parents' decision but why anyone would want to take their five/six year old to see a live performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show(as I witnessed) is beyond me.

FilthyforFirth · 22/06/2019 11:24

I also agree with a PP that these sort of things should remain adult only. There are fewer and fewer places that are adult only which I think is a shame.

Amibeingdaft81 · 22/06/2019 11:26

These days you can’t open a newspaper weekend supplement without an article on the
Best 50 family music festivals

RomanyQueen · 22/06/2019 11:26

No, I wouldn't judge, mine have been going to festivals since babies. They were folk, jazz, blues etc.

The air had a lovely musty smell and people were smoking all sorts and lots drunk too.
If you don't mind the atmosphere for your kids, then no problem.

I'd judge you if you expected everyone to behave in a different manner because you had kids there.

Sirzy · 22/06/2019 11:27

It does depend on the event doesn’t it. I went to one recently and George Ezra was headlining, it was sold as family friendly and it was.

Other events are less so.

Just like shows, some are family friendly but I was surprise and slightly judgy when I saw under 10s at les Mis this year!

June2008 · 22/06/2019 11:27

We went to the IoW festival least weekend and one of the highlights for me was seeing a little girl, probably about 4, on her dads shoulder singing every single word to George Ezra - spent more time watching her than I did the stage, she was loving it! So for some kids its great.

But I leave my 8 and 11 dds at home as I know they wouldn't enjoy it (well one might but she'd be worried about getting lost whole time!).

I did however raise my eyebrows slightly when I saw a tiny baby with no ear defenders clearly unhappy in the audience at the main stage.

notso · 22/06/2019 11:28

We were dragged round Glastonbury and other festivals as kids and while there was fun times, a lot of the time I remember feeling cold, tired and wanting to go home. We were around a lot of drunk and stoned people most of the time. It's not something I'd choose for my own kids.

I've been to loads of Festivals with DH and I have questioned why some people take kids to some of them. We used to go to V a lot which allowed children but stated it wasn't family friendly and you'd see miserable kids in the queues for the loos etc. The worst was when the big screen showed a smiley toddler on someone's shoulders clapping along getting hit full on in the face with a pint of something (probably piss).
Something seems to happen to some people at some festivals and they almost turn feral, it's just not the wholesome experience some make it out to be.

81Byerley · 22/06/2019 11:33

My daughter took her son to Bestival when he was 3. I thought it was lovely!

Ohyesiam · 22/06/2019 11:36

My kids are 12 and 14 and I’ve taken them to festivals every year pretty much since 3/4. Nobody had ever remarked on it, let alone given me grief.

Amibeingdaft81 · 22/06/2019 11:40

We were dragged round Glastonbury and other festivals as kids and while there was fun times, a lot of the time I remember feeling cold, tired and wanting to go home. We were around a lot of drunk and stoned people most of the time. It's not something I'd choose for my own kids.

I suspect like this for most children unless a specific family festival.

OneMoreLight · 22/06/2019 11:41

From next year there is no age limit for download.

Krisskrosskiss · 22/06/2019 11:42

Well if you arent camping I dont see the problem at all... even at Download! It's the camping that's the hard bit with kids at festivals. If you arent doing that then you will be absolutely fine.

Melancholymuffin · 22/06/2019 11:43

I am clearly a killjoy. I don’t like under 16s at the big music festivals. Small, family marketed ones yes, but likes of Download and Reading no. Regardless of if you drink or take drugs, there will be people around off (or out of) their heads, being sick, having sex, swearing, fighting etc around you and I don’t think it’s appropriate for children to be see that. Plus the huge crowds and massive sites make me anxious just thinking about it!
I am a teacher though, and I do wonder if that has something to do with it.

RuffleCrow · 22/06/2019 11:50

I think it's a bit off to assume all festivals are full of drugs and sex.

It really depends on the festival. Took my dcs to Green Man and it was flipping brilliant fun for them apart from the rain mud and toilets. The only drugs I was aware of were alcohol and the occasional spliff but most people were very respectable and there for the music. Lots of other kids around, a specific family camping area. Gorgeous views and walks. Assume any sex took place inside tents and in the missionary position Grin

BarrenFieldofFucks · 22/06/2019 11:54

Yes and no. I've been to a few festivals where come a certain time in the early evening the mood changes and it doesn't feel family friendly any more. I don't like my kids being around drunks or those on drugs, so am cautious. Isle of Wight festival had that vibe about it.

We do go to a few festivals, but specifically family friendly ones like Rhythm Tree, Into the Wild, Wilderness, Beautiful Days etc.

BarrenFieldofFucks · 22/06/2019 11:54

And the crowds can be very intimidating, especially for kids who are that much smaller.

Sarahjconnor · 22/06/2019 11:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PinkOboe · 22/06/2019 12:49

Kids and festivals are an excellent mix. That said there’s an age where it works less well 5/6 ish through to 10 ish when they’re too big to snooze in a pushchair and too little to withstand successive late nights

PinkOboe · 22/06/2019 12:54

@MustardScreams I’d that Boom Town Fair? I have to say that is one I most definitely wouldn’t take kids to

MustardScreams · 22/06/2019 13:00

@PinkOboe nooo! That is absolutely not a child friendly festival and I would definitely judge anyone that took their kids there.

Boom is in Portugal.

MsTSwift · 22/06/2019 13:00

We went to a day festival finished at 11 dark lots of drunk people etc quite a few families with toddlers. Sorry but we judged - ours 10 and 12 wouldn’t have wanted them in that environment selfish parenting

Absoluteunit · 22/06/2019 13:06

I would massively judge unless a family oriented one. She's 6!

TantricTwist · 22/06/2019 13:11

I wouldn't only because I'd have to stay sober to look after the DC which is not exactly fun for me.