Have you ever taken your kids to a rock concert? Dave and I go to concerts as frequently as we can afford it (which means, lately, with ticket prices skyrocketing, not as often as we’d like to). This year, we saw Bruce Springsteen and Hugh Laurie. Those two were so good that I left each performance thinking, “If I never see another concert in my life, I will die happy.” Yeah, they were that good.
We love going to concerts (I’ve seen everything from Air Supply and Manhattan Transfer to Rush and Motley Crue) because we love music. Music is playing all the time in our home, and our kids have been exposed to music of all kinds since they were babies.
We have taken our kids to see Styx twice and Journey twice, and we took them to see KISS. We have taken Parker to see Def Leppard. Dave took Parker to see Judas Priest.
To many parents, the thought of taking kids to a rock concert might be crazy, but for us, it has been a way to share our love of music with our kids.
If you want to take your child to a concert, it can be a great way to bond over a common interest. Here are some tips to make the night rock:
1. Make sure your kids are old enough to enjoy the event. Infants and toddlers do not belong at rock concerts.
2. Make sure the venue allows children before buying the tickets.
3. Use common sense about whether or not the show will be kid-appropriate. While we are comfortable taking our kids to see KISS, we would not take them to see Eminem or Marilyn Manson.
4. Talk to your kids about what they might see at a rock show. The music might be clean, but people will be drinking, smoking, or making choices that you would not make. Teach them tolerance.
5. Always, always, always have your children wear ear plugs.
6. Be prepared to leave if your child is upset by the sounds, explosions, lights, or crowds. Don’t traumatize them by forcing them to sit through a show that is frightening them.
It’s ok to say no to kids too. Parker wanted to see KISS again this year, but they’re touring with Motley Crue, and we don’t feel like he’s ready for that. They also want to see Bruce Springsteen, but it would cost us $600 to take the family – and it’s not something we’re willing to afford. No is ok for kids to understand.
My son is nine and motley crue is his favorite band ever.. Nikki sixx is absolutly his hero… They are coming to play in our city… Opinion? Fyi.. It is an all ages show.. And the is a no drinking family.section in the.venue… Also.. Crue curses LOTS and.we know that.. We are awful for.cursing but my son is smart.. He knows right from wrong and we talk to him about everything.
Brenda,
Our son was 7 when he saw Def Leppard and 10 when he saw KISS. Last year, he saw Judas Priest. This year, we took him to Green Day. In every case, we made the decision based on 1, his passion for the music; 2, our own instincts about whether or not he could handle it. As long as you talk to your kids and have a comfortable relationship that allows you to talk to him about what he might see and how what happens on stage or with grown ups attending the show isn’t an example of behavior that can be mimicked in school, for example, I think you’re fine. The fact that they’re offering a no-alcohol family section would ease my mind, and while I’ve seen Motley Crue twice and their stage show can be over the top, it’s still just a show. Trust your instincts – and make sure he wears ear plugs!! Motley Crue was also the LOUDEST concert I ever attended!!
Let me know what you decide, and if you go, be sure to share pictures with us at facebook.com/momsgetreal!
-Shadra
Awesome I love that yall pass on the love of going to concerts with your kids . I went to many from ages 3-12 years old myself . And so have my kids keep on keeping on !
I have been waiting for my daughter’s 8th birthday to come because I want to take her to her first concert like my mom took me for my 8th birthday, but her dad doesn’t want me to take her because he doesn’t think it’s “appropriate” for her to go…
My mom and I were to ultimate concert buddies we have seen lots of them together and one of our favorite bands to see together was In This Moment. I was lucky enough to see her again live with my mom before she ended up unexpectedly getting sick and passing away. Well I decided to look at what artists will be touring in our area seems how my daughters 8th birthday is coming up soon. Well, it just so happens that In This Moment is about a week after my daughter’s birthday… I think it would just be absolutely awesome if this was her first show! To take her to see In This Moment just like my mom and I have done a few times together.
I just would like to get a few other opinions on this situation…. so thoughts anyone?
We’ve been on hiatus for a few months and just getting back to work on MomsGetReal. I do hope you ended up going to the concert. We starting taking our kids when they were toddlers – and took our granddaughter to see U2 when she was less than 2. They were fabulous experiences all around. -Shadra