ADVICE FOR TAKING YOUNG CHILDREN TO FAIRES v 1.0
The following was some advice given by a vetern faire participant to a question about how to deal with young girl at a faire. The advice is sage enough to extend to any small child at any renaissance event.
- Bring her in a costume so she doesn't start begging to rent one.
- Ask ahead of time what her favorite snacks are and bring some.
- Give her a pouch and put a few $1 bills for her to spend, but take the time to explain that she has to make a careful decision, and should look at everything before she does.
- Do not expect to see any show all the way through...sit near the edge or in the back so you can make a quick escape when she gets wiggly and distracting.
- Bring bandaids and babywipes.
- Teach her to courtesy properly...she'll love it.
- Don't take your eyes off of her....she'll disappear without realizing that you've moved off in a different direction.
- When she gets cranky feed her or give her a drink, or find someplace to sit and play a make believe game.
- If she wants to get her face painted, get in line early and realize, there are always lines.
- Realize that she will get dirty, it's actually healthy dirt, and don't worry about it.
- Have an extra drink and her best lovey in the car for the ride home (after a privy break) She be tired and overwrought, but these'll practically guarantee she'll fall asleep.
- Know that this is for her, not you, so don't plan on any relaxing or shopping...if you do get any it'll feel like a bonus.
I've been going to MDRF since my youngest was in utero, with a four year old to hold onto. I've got photos of the two in the pillory, standing under a sign declaring that unattended children would be sold as slaves, trying to dance like the Scottish Rogues, dressed as Robin Hood and Will Scarlet (red turtle neck and red corduroys, and home made cloak, brown and green cords and turtleneck, homemade cloak, and purchased hats@$5 ea, wooden swords), bowing over the queen's hand and getting knighted for his courtesy, and rolling around in the mud of the petting zoo, kissing the d--pig. There is nothing in the world more fun than watching a kid discover that sometimes stories do come true. Have a blast!
Queen Maggie