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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take DS to reading festival?

48 replies

Bettyhop · 30/06/2019 11:23

He will be 15 weeks old, exclusively breastfed. We only have a day ticket for one day and really are only interested in watching the headliner (foo fighters). I plan to have him in a sling with ear defenders.
Am I being unreasonable?
We do have childcare options but have never left him before. He is also a very clingy and unsettled baby and would worry about asking parents etc to look after him for 12-14 hours and would worry about ds being so unhappy and his mummy isn't there. We booked whilst I was pregnant as our first day out without baby but now I don't want to go without him.
Thanks

OP posts:
Oysterbabe · 30/06/2019 11:29

Yabu. Fuck that.

formerbabe · 30/06/2019 11:30

I wouldn't

Sandybval · 30/06/2019 11:32

YABU, unless you are happy to stand right at the back, you can't guarantee you won't get pushed past, bumped into, covered in beer/piss which would be savage with a sling on.

Celebelly · 30/06/2019 11:35

If he's an unsettled baby even when he's with you I wouldn't. I could have taken my DD and it would have been fine but she is the chillest of babies. With a more sensitive or unhappy baby it would be pretty rotten.

It depends on weather too. Sling can be warm and might leave him exposed to sun. I don't think I'd like a whole day with only sling.

Yogurtcoveredricecake · 30/06/2019 11:36

I wouldn't go. It's not exactly known as a family friendly festival plus very loud, getting jostled by drunk people, people off their tits wanting to touch your baby, it could be pouring down or baking hot. No thanks.

Oysterbabe · 30/06/2019 11:37

As above, you'd have to stand way, way back so you don't get crushed or hit during one the many plastic bottle fights that seem to break out constantly at Reading. You may as well watch it on TV considering how shit your view will be.

Original poster
Bettyhop · 30/06/2019 11:38

Okay that's a consensus🤣 I have never been before so wasn't sure what it was like. Will send dp with a friend I think. X

OP posts:
Ekefox · 30/06/2019 11:44

I've been a few times and if you stand away from the crowds you'd be fine. I'd do it. Unless foos ends up as rammed as Eminem did. Which it could actually. So I don't know. I'm no help.

Diemme · 30/06/2019 11:44

I wouldn't. Have you been to reading festival before? My daughter went last year after GCSES. Full of pissed up 16 year olds and the last place on earth I'd feel comfortable at as a family unit with a young baby.

nrpmum · 30/06/2019 11:46

I would, but I used to take my kids everywhere when they were little

Notquiteagandt · 30/06/2019 11:46

Right of passage after gcses isnt it redding. Unfortunately its most of their 1st taste freedom and or alcohol/drugs.

It was horrific 15yrs ago when I was 15. And from what I hear only got worse.

WhiskersPete · 30/06/2019 11:46

Somewhere like Glasto yes but not Reading. It's Savage.

Vivavivienne · 30/06/2019 11:50

Agree with @WhiskersPete

Not reading. Glastonbury, latitude, bliss fields, plenty of others but not Reading. Was manic when I last went without the same options for chilling as the other festivals.

In general, I’m all for festivals with babies and kids!

honeylulu · 30/06/2019 11:52

I wouldn't. It would be hell on earth to me. It isn't family friendly. There are no proper areas to sit/shelter for respite from sun or rain.

I took my 13 year old for the day last year as there was an artiste he was desperate to see. We got wet, cold, muddy, couldn't sit down the whole time. He loved seeing Lil Pump I thought it was dreadful but was happy with the suggestion we left straight after. If you stay for the headliner you get caught up in massive crowds/queues making their way out.

Oh, and we live in Reading walking distance from the site and i still wouldn't do it with a baby!!!

SleepingStandingUp · 30/06/2019 11:54

Lots of family friendly festivals OP but Reading ain't it. It's doable, but I'd at least wait for a weather report, assume I'd be at the very very back and wouldn't be there all day

RavenLG · 30/06/2019 11:56

Reading? God no don’t do it. It’s turns everyone to a feral animal for the weekend! Seriously though, I wouldn’t risk it!

Greggers2017 · 30/06/2019 12:00

I've done Glastonbury, camp bestival, vfest, ynot, Kendal calling l, boardmasters, among others and took my children. I wouldn't however take them to reading or Leeds, I'd go alone.

MissPhonic · 30/06/2019 12:00

God no.

DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou · 30/06/2019 12:03

In a sling? I this heat?

BAD idea

sweetpea777 · 30/06/2019 12:07

Not really a place for a baby is it? When you have children you have to give up some things or use childcare.

GingerFoxInAT0phat · 30/06/2019 12:12

I wouldn’t take any kids to Reading (or Leeds). It’s probably the most un child friendly festival there is. Lots of teenagers walking or rolling around in a Kethole. Cups of piss thrown about. If it rains it’s hard enough walking about in the mud without a baby strapped to you.

user1493413286 · 30/06/2019 12:13

No it’s be dangerous

ConfCall · 30/06/2019 12:15

Why not try leaving dc with your parents for shorter periods a couple of times before the festival. Once they’re used to each other, you may feel able and ready to go with DP, leaving dc behind.

chamenanged · 30/06/2019 12:22

Not really a place for a baby is it? When you have children you have to give up some things or use childcare.

That's you told OP!

Alconleigh · 30/06/2019 12:26

No. Reading is pretty feral as festivals go. And I live in the town and we're pretty used to feral 😀 but it goes up a notch or 200 when the festival is on.

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