playbook / F A M I L Y
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I S T H I S A P P R O P R I AT E FOR MY KID?
PREPPING FOR YOUR KIDS’ FIRST CONCERT For those about to rock, we salute you WORDS ELIZABETH SMITH
REMEMBER THAT SCENE FROM TROLLS 2 when Poppy temporarily morphs into a rock zombie? Me either. But when my niece, Melody, requested to dress up as “Rock Poppy” the following Halloween and I witnessed her shredding on her pink and black toy guitar, I knew that one day that she’d be my new concert buddy. But why wait? Why not encourage her interest in music now and establish some core memories or even spark a passion in her that could shape her future? OK, that’s ambitious, but that’s when I began considering best practices for taking a kid out to their first, “real” live concert. This guide is by no means comprehensive but a starting point for facilitating an enjoyable and safe concert experience for your family. 56
august/september 2022 | DFWCHILD
C HO O SE YOU R S E AT S W I S E LY
Crowd density is a concern at any large event, as recent tragedies have reminded us, so when you’re selecting tickets, avoid “standing room only” or “festival seating” in large open areas, especially those near the stage at high-energy concerts. Crowd surge, though, or a mosh pit, could happen anywhere. Even if all goes well, unless you hoist them onto your shoulders, your kid may have trouble seeing the stage. That’s why, if available, I usually prefer the lawn grass seats in the far back where your kids can move and dance around and have better airflow. (Another plus: Lawn tickets are often less expensive.) Most venues no longer require masks or proof of vaccination, but if you’re concerned about the risk of COVID-19 exposure, consider seats in sections that you can see are sparsely populated with already-reserved seats. Look for seats on the aisles for easy exits to the restroom, or a quick getaway should the need arise.
ISTOCK
➽ ABOVE: Kids may enjoy the show the most from the back of the venue, where there’s room to move around. // LOWER RIGHT: If the concert lasts too late for your little, enjoy a portion of the show and then head home early.
Obviously every concert is different, so determining suitability comes down to your child’s age, temperament, the artist, venue and other factors. Always double check the venue’s age policy and, if available, a recommended age range for the show itself. Many venues are 18+ or 21+ but allow minors with parental supervision. Live concerts don’t have a parental guidance rating system, as films do. (The Parental Advisory Label applies only to recordings and isn’t mandatory.) Use your best judgment to determine whether the content is likely to be appropriate for your child. On-stage antics are often off the cuff, but do some research beforehand as to whether an artist is known for obscenities or scenes that could frighten or confuse your child. Consider time of day, too. Any regular concertgoer will tell you that the later into the evening, the more adult behavior (drinking, smoking, rowdiness) you may witness. Also ask yourself whether your child is likely to stay engaged for the length of the show. Will they squirm or bore quickly? Does the timing conflict with naptime or bedtime? You can always skip the opening act or bow out early before the calls for an encore.
