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I have no problem at all with it. All the parents I saw were being very responsible with their kids. It's a presonal decision, so really not worth debating.
Post by augustwest on Jun 19, 2007 12:42:32 GMT -5
Parents who are neglectful at Roo, will be neglectful wherever they are, the responsible parents should not have their family experience ruined by a few idiots who will be taken care of by Darwin soon anyway.
I don't have a problem with older kids or responsible parents, but I saw quite a few very young infants that should not have been out in the sun. I saw one woman with a sunburned baby smoking a joint. While obviously these people will neglect their children where ever they are and there's little that can be done, perhaps there should be a "8 and up" rule or something so Roo is not consenting to the mistreatment of those poor babies.
Am I the only one who sees a problem with little kids being allowed to be at Bonnaroo?
No. You are not. Although, I'm not sure I have a problem with little kids. I do, however, have a problem with babies & infants being there.
There was a hippie couple camped near my girlfriend & I, that had a baby that we heard crying the whole time we were at our campsite Sat & Sun.
The amount of sunburnt children we saw was absolutely appalling. Use some fcuking sunscreen!
This pissed me off more than anything though: the number of parents I saw walking around Centeroo with bandanas tied around their faces, to protect them from dust, yet their kids have no protection. They're breathing all that crap in, & the parents aren't. Give the bandanna to your kids, I mean, c'mon!! I saw ONE little girl dressed up like a cowgirl, complete with a bandanna around her face.
Normally, I don't have a problem with kids at shows, but it seemed to me, that this year, with the heat & dust, it wasn't a very good idea, but WTF do I know?
I'm really glad someone brought this up. I was disgusted by the number of children (infants and toddlers) who were being hauled around in all the heat and dust. As a parent your first responsibility should be to your child, not to your selfish wants or needs. I'm not sure who else saw this, but Sunday some lady was carrying a little boy on her back down Shakedown Street...I hope and pray that he was just sleeping. It certainly didn't look that way. In my opinion, I think you shouldn't bring your children until they are old enough to express their needs to you (be it...I'm hot, thirsty, I can't breath b/c of the dust). A little common sense would have gone a long way....but again, just my opinion
posted on another topic: OK I GOT ONE FOR YOU! In my camp area i think Camp Q, this lady let her two kids play in the run off water from the water area!!! It was f**king gross, that run off had spit from people brushing their teeth, shmegma from people washing off their goodies, all sorts of other bodily fluids that kids should not be playing it. I was appalled, grossed out and pissed! The medic tent was right there and instead of telling her hey your kid can get Hepatitis get them the f**k out they just watched with their mouths open! Sick sick sick
As my Inebriated buddy walks out of the Porto, he yells out, "Dude...I love this place...bonnaroo thinks about everything...they even put beer holders next to the toilet!"
Had to break it to him that that was the urnal. Good times good times!
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Jun 19, 2007 15:20:09 GMT -5
I have no problem w/ kids at roo, and thought the family camping was a great idea. Infants, however, just seem out of place and annoy everyone who doesn't have kids. Crying babys are no fun. I did feel sorry for any kids there this year, what with all that dust. I didn't see anyone with dust masks or bandanas who weren't protecting their kids too, but If I did I woulda said something. Thats just plain irresponsible.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
Other than the health issues, (sunburns, dust, playing in disease infected water,etc.) people are also subjecting their kids to everything else that goes on at Bonnaroo. Blatantly open drug use, people under the influence of all sorts of shit, women walking around topless, etc. I have no problem with any of these things, in fact I'm all for it, but I really don't think its a place for kids. While most people would have the decency to act semi-responsible in front of kids, a lot of people don't. I think there needs to be an 18+ rule in effect. Maybe I'm a little off base here.
Considering the amount of illegal substances that are readily available at Bonnaroo, I think the whole festival should be 18+. I probably wouldn't want my kids walking around when I know there are plenty of people with a head full of acid. Kids really also can't see shows that well unless they are on their parents shoulders (and I can't stand it when people are on shoulders at a concert!). I just think it's a bad environment for kids that old. I can see 16+ being OK though. Bonnaroo also probably can't be enjoyed as much from kids in that age bracket.
On another note, I saw a guy carrying around his baby. Having kids in that type of heat isn't the best thing.
Post by Sköldpadda on Jun 19, 2007 16:48:02 GMT -5
An 18+ rule would be terrible, but I know where you're coming from...kids just don't really belong there.
I saw plenty of families with happy kids, who were obviously being taken care of, and that was fine, but there are certain situations where it's not necessarily good for children to be present. They aren't supposed to be used to handling days 18-hour days in 90 degree heat.
When I was leaving the White Stripes show, going to see Widespread, there was a couple with a baby walking around with a Dead advertisement, and the baby started crying...his father (I assume) turned around and said, sharply, "don't start that sh*t." I was shocked, and other people turned and stared, too, and the kid was quiet. It was really unnecessary.
I just don't think Bonnaroo needs to pretend this is a happy, safe, Ronald McDonald place for kids. This year, they had a Family Camping Section. Right at the end of what has always been Shakedown Street. This year, while all the heads were trying to figure out what happened to Shakedown, and all the shady dealers were selling their wares, kids were being walked to Centeroo, in seriously uncomfortable conditions. It just screams of naivete.
I'm happy for the families that manage to have a productive, safe time at Bonnaroo with small children, but I still don't think Bonnaroo is necessarily a place for children.
i really had no problem with seeing kids at roo, and for the most part i saw careful parents and healthy happy kids. But there was one instance where I saw a family where a mom decided it was time to paint her body rather than wear a shirt, and the kid is with them.
That's kinda when I changed my mind at least a little. You can't force people to be responsible, but forcing them to leave the kids at home isn't going to be received well either.
Don't do anything or say anything you don't want your kids to repeat at school. I can only imagine when that kid repeats about mommy's painted shirt.
I do endorse the family camping section, though. I've been in similar non-festival situations, like at large motocross races, and there was always a family side of the pits and a party side of the pits. It makes sense at bonnaroo too, just a way to provide some crowd control.
Although on the flip side, I'd be afraid some people brought their kids just so they could get in to family camping. This seems twisted, but I wouldn't be surprised.
We treat mishaps like sinking ships and I know that I don't want to be out to drift Well I can see it in your eyes like I taste your lips and They both tell me that we're better than this
Post by rooooooooooooo2007 on Jun 19, 2007 17:55:51 GMT -5
I saw 2 babies in a carrage at White Stripes. Thought it was a bit too dusty/crowded/hot/smokey for them to be out there. but the parents were taking care of them, i think
most of the kids i saw were being taken care of, but this one time i saw a little girl, maybe 6 years old, running thru centeroo near the which stage. bringing my kids to roo won't be an option until they're in they're teens...and as far as what goes on at roo, i would much rather be with my kids and have them ask me questions about things they see/smell, than experience it on they're own or with their friends.
"White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high." Jimi Hendrix
most of the kids i saw were being taken care of, but this one time i saw a little girl, maybe 6 years old, running thru centeroo near the which stage. bringing my kids to roo won't be an option until they're in they're teens...and as far as what goes on at roo, i would much rather be with my kids and have them ask me questions about things they see/smell, than experience it on they're own or with their friends.
Good point to keep that aspect of life non-taboo and it definitely lets your children be more open about things to you in the future.
Post by trippindaisy on Jun 19, 2007 20:05:08 GMT -5
In general most of the kids I saw were being well taken care of and the parents were paying attention to them. I did however see a few sunburnt and shoeless kids and the parents seemed to be pretty oblivious to the fact that they were the ones responsible for their well-being - that made me mad.
I have been taking my daughter to all kinds of shows and festivals since she was a baby and always made sure she was well taken care of. She is now 15 and I am still taking her.
Making these events 18+ would make them lose a huge amount of business from people who make things like this a family event and it would piss a lot of people off.
I have a problem with adults being irresponsible-- as parents or as non-parents.
I saw some really sh*tty parents. The kid barely bundled at 3am Saturday night in cold as crap temperatures was near criminal.
I saw some great parents. I saw kids having a great time. Most of these kids were with parents in VIP.
I don't want my daughter to be infringed upon by some drugged out assh*le any more than I want to be infringed upon by some drugged out assh*le. The solution is to remove the assh*le.
18+ wouldn't help much- I saw plenty of idiots older than that. And I'd be careful to not make Roo out to be some biker bar where you have to be "tough enough" and it's not a fun time for a family. Clearly Roo wants to provide for families. You just can't make everyone responsible parents any more than you can suddenly make everyone responsible drug consumers, drivers or concert-goers.
Sadly, we saw lots of "to be" Moms drinking beer.. Who knows what else they were doing..
Thinking back as a kid, I don't think I would have enjoyed it if I was under 16ish. What is a 2-5-7 or 10 year old experiencing? Think back...do you think you would have enjoyed that?
Post by steveternal on Jun 19, 2007 22:58:07 GMT -5
It's very difficult to fairly judge these people because you may only see them in one moment. There's no doubt that children, when taken care of, can do just fine in hot or sunny or dusty or loud conditions. I saw plenty of parents who adapted well to those needs. Shame on those who neglect their children and shame on those who put their own fun ahead of their family, but that's not to say that Bonnaroo is not place for children or even infants. It can be done safely and of course the kids can enjoy it too!
I have a 1 1/2 yr old that my husband and I were going to bring until two weeks before my mother in-law graciously volunteered to babysit, so I can't say anything bad about the people who brought their kids for whatever reason. For the most part, the kids I saw were being well taken care of, slathered down with sunscreen, under covered wagons, and with water or frozen lemonade in hand. I only saw one questionable instance: Saturday morning back at the camp before we left for centeroo a guy pushing a baby stroller casually walked up to our shade tent and asked if we wanted to buy pot. Of course we declined, but as he walked away, I noticed that there was actually a baby in the stroller! The kid couldn't have been more than 6 months old. Granted, it did appear to be covered and protected, but still, you have to draw the line somewhere.
Post by oleander124 on Jun 20, 2007 7:39:00 GMT -5
During the Police set, this man came walking by us a few times asking people questions. He squatted down beside me with his head in his hands and asked me if I had seen a woman with a small baby. I hadn't, but it killed me that he couldn't find his wife and baby in that crowd. I hope he found her...that was so sad.
Post by Britney's_Fears on Jun 20, 2007 7:39:57 GMT -5
Do I think kids should be banned from Bonnaroo? No.
Would I bring my kids to Bonnaroo? No.
Mostly because I don't think they would have a good time. The crap they are exposed to in the media and on the street, school, etc. is far worse than anything they would encounter at the Roo.
I was near the body staining area and saw this father and daughter. If anyone recognizes the father I would like to send him the pictures. Looks like they were having a great time. I wonder what mom would think.
Post by trippindaisy on Jun 20, 2007 10:03:09 GMT -5
Personally if that was my child being body painted, I would have been ok with it. It it was a fun thing for them to want to do then go for it!
It is today's sick society that has made being naked wrong. There is nothing wrong with naked little kids, it is perfectly natural - but in some people's eyes they make into something sexual or perverted.
I would far prefer my child seeing naked people than seeing the violence that is on TV and the violence in this world on a daily basis.
Post by masshysteria on Jun 20, 2007 12:02:48 GMT -5
I say that Bonnaroo sets up a dedicated daycare service that works 24 hrs with of course trained professionals to take care of the kids. The only way this would work would be for Bonnaroo to charge a fee at the gate for kids so that the workers get paid for the work they would be doing. I know if I had a kid and couldnt get someone to watch him/her I would gladly pay a one time fee or a daily fee to have the kids properly taken care of. I dont know if this would work but I think someone could work with this and setup something close to this. Also they could have a few shows for the kids or even bring in favorite mascots/characters from their shows so that they can have as much fun as the parents are.
"That's the big thing about education. People can be book smart, but not really intelligent about anything else. A lot of times they just taking in all this information and regurgitate it. It's much more important to process it and personalize it. To apply it to your world, to your life. You have to walk the walk, or you can't really report about it honestly."
strumntheguitar
Bleary-Eyed Bonnawook Sir Strum, Master of Rum
Post by strumntheguitar on Jun 20, 2007 12:18:04 GMT -5
I have no problem with kids/infants at the Roo.
I only have a problem with the neglectful parents of any kids/infants at the Roo.
For the most part though, every child I saw looked pretty happy wherever they were. I only saw one poor kid who was crying while their body was beat red with sunburn, but then i looked at the parents and they were burned just as badly so who knows what's going on in their head
When we first arrived at our campsite, we realized there were 3 kids next door...oops. Maybe we should move we thought.
However, the parents rocked! THeir kids were awesome, they were awesome in putting them first and themselves second. THese kids spent the day having fun and the nights asleep next to either mom or dad (while the other went out). No sunburn, no tears, just wonderful happy kids and a great vibe!
I wish all the kids I saw had as great parents as these three!
Kudos to the parents who are responsible and able to manage a great time in the bonnaroo scene. ANd karma to those who dragged their sunburned hot tired kids to their gig.
I have a pretty strong opinion on this.. I have two kids 8 and 6 and woudl not bring them to any shows, one because i become irresponsible there, its my time to let loose and two its just not a scene they need to be exposed to yet.. let them look forward to it later on in life.
I use to tour with the Dead then Phish for many years and the shit I use to see on that lot with these junky moms holding their kids like potato sacks at 3am wandering shakedown all jacked up just made me sick. So I was basically mind scared at that point and have never been able to get past that. At Roo near the fountain I saw a mom and dad and their little son, he could not have been more than 4 all painted green, kid has some nasty ass underwear barley staying on and mom and dad where spun out of their minds.. its sad to see that shit.
