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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:
starzig · 22/06/2019 17:28

Were they particularly far down the front? I don't see and issue with kids at a festival but if they are too near the mosh pit it means everyone else has to be a bit more careful which would suck the fun out of some bands for some people.

Original poster
MonstranceClock · 22/06/2019 17:36

@crisscrosscranky That's fine for you, I'm not that sort of parent. I like her to have a say in what she wants to do. I will enjoy both.

OP posts:
tashac89 · 22/06/2019 17:36

I was at download this year and I high five any parent that dealt with kids in that river of sludge! I wouldn't take mine because I like to have an adult weekend but I certainly don't judge those that do. Actually I might of considered taking my eldest next year if i hadn't done such a piss poor job of raising him (he has an unfortunate taste in music mostly revolving around minecraft and fortnite)

Original poster
MonstranceClock · 22/06/2019 17:37

@starzig There were some in the crowds, usually on the shoulders of a 7ft tall viking! I wouldn't take her into the crowds. To be fair, the main stage is at the bottom of the hill so I could still see everything sat at the top this year (I'm pregnant so avoided the crowds).

OP posts:
Bananapancakes3 · 22/06/2019 17:48

I wouldn’t judge as each to their own obviously and if you think your daughter would manage/enjoy it then crack on ahead! However I did work at download this year and I personally wouldn’t be particularly comfortable bringing a young child to it - I witnessed some things I wouldn’t be happy for a child to see. Also worth considering that if the bands your child are interested in play late at night the traffic/transport will be a nightmare and you might take longer than expected to get home.

GivemeGinandTonic · 22/06/2019 17:52

My son has been to lots of festivals from age 4, loves music and the environment of them so he’s always loved it. IOW and Kendal Calling mainly and great for kids. We’ve made stunning memories for life and have lots of songs that bring back very special memories of seeing them live.
IME football matches are a much worse environment !

medusawashere · 22/06/2019 18:00

It depends on the festival. Green Man, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Camp Bestival and others are absolutely fine for kids if they're kept in check and not allowed to cause a nuisance.

I played at the IOW Festival last weekend and there were definitely areas you wouldn't have been advised to take kids to. Having said that, the few kids I did see appeared to enjoy themselves and were relatively well behaved.

Boomtown is not suitable for kids and I would be surprised to see a five year old at Download. Wouldn't judge though. I also played Boomtown last year and felt murderous at a kid (a teen I think) that ran around screeching "where are ya" all night at one of the supposedly nicer camping areas. The entire family were absolute scum, made so much noise and the kids had clearly picked up their wonderful attributes from the parents. We didn't sleep at all and it was just horrendous. I definitely judged the entire family.

It affected my experience and I'm staying nearby when we play this year. With that in mind, I am a little biased!

In short, bring them to suitable festivals, keep an eye on them and make sure they don't affect/impact others.

tashac89 · 22/06/2019 18:01

Also - if you enjoy the kind of music and want to take kids (no age restrictions) bearded theory actually has a kid section, including a registered temporary school to reduce fines for taking time off during term time (they even send the work list to your DC's headteacher)

RuffleCrow · 22/06/2019 18:38

Medusa - it's a festival not the flipping opera. "Make sure they don't affect / impact others". People are supposed to run around, dance like loons and make new friends at festivals, young or old. It's a chance to let our hair down. If you want peace and quiet go to a museum.

Original poster
MonstranceClock · 22/06/2019 18:40

We're definitely not a scummy family Grin

I don't drink in front of my child, I'll be completely sober, plus I will be driving.

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DifficultSituation19 · 22/06/2019 18:44

I’ve always taken my dc to festivals since they were babies and they have a blast. The kids areas are great. The only time I’ve ever felt judged was at womad, dd1 was 2 and I’d got her to sleep in her buggy, then went for a bimble with some friends. I was walking along and a woman came up to me and really laid into me about how it’s disgraceful that my poor baby wasn’t in bed at that time of night (it was 10.30pm). I was quite a young parent and didn’t have the confidence to stand up to her so I took dd back to the tent, and didn’t dare go out again at night for the rest of the festival! Now I’d have told her to fuck right off Grin. Although my dc are much older now so not an issue.

Original poster
MonstranceClock · 22/06/2019 18:54

I moved to England when I was 6, and I think, growing up in Cornwall, late nights aren't a worry for us. As soon as the clocks change, children stay on the beaches until sunset, go out to concerts, pubs etc. It's normal way of life here. 11 o clock would only be about an hour later than what she would be used to.

OP posts:
TheDarkPassenger · 22/06/2019 19:50

I wouldn’t necessarily judge but no way would I take a 6 year old to download.

I’d judge if you got drunk in front of her though, fucking hate that shit

SuzieQ10 · 22/06/2019 19:54

Download.. no way.
Not for kids. Let adults enjoy having a break from being around kids and enjoy a (slightly wilder) festival. There are loads of festivals better suited to kids and young teens.

I wouldn't want my DC near loads of people on drugs / pissed.

gamerwidow · 22/06/2019 19:56

Like others say it depends on the festival and where you go when you are there. Glastonbury is fine for kids and has a dedicated kids area but I’d take a dim view if you and your 6 year old turned up in the dance tent after hours.
During the day is fine because people are mostly well behaved but by night time people will be drunk and high and it’s going to be scary for kids.

m0therofdragons · 22/06/2019 20:00

I took dc ages 5 and 3 to a two day festival and then various concerts since. Make sure you get good ear defenders. Loads of dc at festivals... I've never understood people who go to a festival to get pissed or high. If you can't enjoy a festival sober then something is wrong with you imo.

FYI I'm not a hippy, chilled parent I'm a middle class, Boden wearing mum who lives near Glastonbury. I haven't taken dc to Glastonbury festival as I like the comedy tent (too much weed for dc!) and don't want to spend my time in the kids' area (although it looks good).

I took my 3dds to see the Spice Girls last week and only saw 5 other children, which surprised me.

Herbalteahippie · 22/06/2019 20:11

Depends on the festival- smaller ones tend to be safer in my experience and it’s good for kids to be free and enjoy music for a few days. As long as she’s informed about the risks she may encounter And has a good bunch of friends she’ll have great time.

Fucktuates · 22/06/2019 20:45

@Herbalteahippie are you aware we’re discussing a 5 year old? Grin

I’m a middle class, Boden wearing Mum

Give me strength.

Original poster
MonstranceClock · 22/06/2019 21:24

I am now imagining a herd of 5 year olds moshing to slipknot Grin

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Herbalteahippie · 22/06/2019 22:35

Sorry @Fucktuates I meant smaller festivals- at the ones I go to we all help with each other’s children and get the kids together and get them doing circus things and painting, more chilled hippie festivals not lairy crowded commercial festivals.

MyOtherProfile · 22/06/2019 22:36

Our kids have been going to various music festivals with us since birth. I've never had any negative feedback from anyone and wouldn't take any notice if I did. We all love festivals in our family.

Laurajjj · 22/06/2019 22:37

Those people are ridiculous. I've never heard of such thing at festivals no.

Fantababy · 22/06/2019 22:40

I think it depends. It's not nice seeing miserable, sleepy, overtired children being dragged around by parents who want to stay up late and see bands. However, if you're happy to compromise so you do plenty your child chooses, and call it a night when they're tired, it could be fun. I'd love to take DD to a festival when she's a little older, but would do so in the knowledge that I'd be tucked up in bed before 9!

DragonMamma · 22/06/2019 22:48

I’ve been to most of the main festivals, including Download a few times and tbh, it’s probably the one I definitely wouldn’t take my DC to (even now, and they are 11 & 8).

It’s just got a vibe that isn’t particularly child friendly.

NickMyLipple · 22/06/2019 22:55

I'm taking my daughter who will be 17 months to The Big Feastival this year. Who knows what it will be like, but if it does go tits up, we will pack the tent up and go home.

I used to go to a lot of festivals in my youth and I would not be taking a child to Download, Reading or Boomtown. I am horrified about things I saw when I was 16 at Reading in particular- I wouldn't want my kid to be seeing that... I felt very, very unsafe there.