kids and concerts

[jfoofj]

I brought DS and DSS (almost 9 and almost 10) to the Rihanna/Kesha concert last weekend. We had a great time. We met up with my friend and her teenaged cousin and we tailgated before the concert with grinders (and yes, my friend and I even had a couple adult beverages) and we had a blast. The kids like both artists, and even though the lyrics can be a bit racy, they understand what is and isn't appropriate to say/sing (when they download songs for their Ipods they can't get the expletive version). I guess I'm not big on editing stuff for the kids sake, don't get me wrong I'm not going to let them watch R rated movies, but songs that have some bad language or slightly questionable content, I'd rather explain it to them and let them know what is and isn't acceptable. I guess my attitude is I can't child-proof the world around us, so I'd rather world-proof the kids.

ANYWAYS, we had a great time, it was their first concert, we got our tickets unexpectedly upgraded to awesome seats (we only paid $10 for our tickets and ended up 15 rows back from the stage! ). I was talking about the concert to some people at work, and a co-worker of mine was HORRIFIED that I brought my children to such a concert.... she pretty much all but told me I was a rotten parent and what did DSS's mom think (and btw, I asked her prior to buying the tickets and she was fine with him going).

I was pretty shocked by this reaction. There were a lot of kids, many younger than my kids, at the show, and these are songs that are on the radio it isn't like I brought them to a rave or to a trash/death metal show or to a Little Kim show.

I don't know... thoughts? Has anyone else brought their kids to a concert like this at this age. My sons would love to see Britney Spears or even Lady Gaga, and honestly, I would love to take them (if the tickets were in my price range). My co-worker almost fainted when I said that.

 

[luvmy3]

For me it would depend on the stage performance of the artist whether or not I'd take my younger kids. They hear the music on the radio anyway so thats not too big of a deal, but if the artist is up there simulating sex with half naked dancer every other song then I probably wouldn't take them. Wouldn't stop me from going though

 

[BeenHereB4]

My kids love concerts. We've been to several (Train, Def Leopard, Kenny Loggins, etc.). All pretty tame stuff.

I can't say I would've taken them to see Kesha though because I really, REALLY dislike her (I'm being nice here) and don't think she has an ounce of talent.

My personal opinion is that I would not take them to a concert where I thought there would be cursing, sexual innuendo, etc. But that's just me. I wouldn't be surprised though if I did that other people would think I was a bad mom. My son would want to emmulate the musicians because they are "cool" and I just don't want to take the chance. He's already learning MORE than enough just from kids in the park.

 

[klj27]

I have taken my kids to concerts, but that is one I would have skipped. If it goes against what I am teaching them at home I am not going to take them to a show where people are celebrated for explicit behavior/lyrics.

 

[N&B'smom]

I agree, it would depend on the type of performer. Personally I don't care what other people choose for their children but I don't let mine (7 & 10) listen to songs about brushing their teeth with a bottle of Jack OR 'come here rude boy, boy can you get it up'. Just don't think it's necessary.

I went to a concert last year that my DD7 probably would have loved, but I knew there would be some inappropriate language and innuendo so she stayed home.

 

[LBAK]

Yes I have brought my girls to concerts at that age. The both love music and I don't think they're scarred for life.The performances weren't really racy though. The lyrics are a little bit of a different story. My DD15 is going to the Kesha/Rihanna concert tonight at the beach.

 

[quentina]

I take my oldest, 13. No issues, Poison, Kiss, last night he went to Selena Gomez with a friend. Wants to see Motley Crue and Green Day. I have no problem taking him.

We live the sterotype life. My husband and I are both rockers! Hubby had hair to his butt when we married. I have never drank, smoked or did any type of recreational drugs....ever....zero, zippo, zilch. You would be amazed at the reaction people get when we go out and I am the only one not drinking. Just because Papa Roach is my favorite band doesn't mean I act like them.

I grew up going to concerts and I will take my kids to them. I do feel that there needs to be a certain maturity for some of the shows.....

 

[Christine]

I started going to concerts when I was about 7 way back in the day. Concerts are one of my favorite activities.

My DD's first real concert was The Spice Girls when she was 7 years old. We then went to a Madonna concert (DD was probably 12 and DS was 8 or 9). They enjoy them and I don't see a problem with it.

 

[aprilgail2]

I took my 10 year old to see Kiss last night- AWESOME show--it was her second time seeing Kiss in concert. Only issues we ever have at concerts is that we ALWAYS seem to be sitting right next to or behind the people smoking pot. The people in front of us smoked so much last night I think I would fail a drug test just from second hand smoke! We were at a Marshall Tucker concert 2 weeks ago and again- we are next to pot smokers. Hermans Hermits Friday night--again--right in front of pot smokers! I used to smoke pot WAY WAY back in the day but would not light up if there were little kids around!

 

[kimblebee]

I would have taken them. I LOVE your line that you can't child-proof the world, so world-proof the child.

My daughter is 9 and I don't restrict her in what she can watch on TV or listen to. I would, or couse, draw the line at porn. She knows what she is and isn't allowed to say so I don't worry that by her watching The Simpsons she will all of a sudden start saying where's my damn supper

I've told her that I don't expect her to not swear when she gets older. I've told her several times that when she is not around I am a trucker LOL. She even heard me say the F word before. It was a total accident but geez, the DVR wasn't working She knows she will be expected to not swear around little kids or her grandparents or say the F word around me. Other than that, she'll be grown up and I trust that I have raised her to know right from wrong so I don't sweat it.

 

[castleview]

I wouldn't be horrified about Rihanna or Keysha. If you took your kids to see Marilyn Manson or Eminem, then yes I'd think differently.

DD8 has been asking about concerts (Selena, Justin, Jonas Bros, etc). Where I'm having trouble is that one of her friends goes to ALL of them and I can't afford that. Plus, I'm selfish - I just don't want to spend $50 a ticket to hear a thousand girls screaming in my ear. Just me though.

BTW, I wouldn't tell another parent how awful they are because they went to a concert. Something is wrong with your co-worker.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

ITA. I'd just rather remove the taboo around it so it's just a common, normal thing for my kiddos to do or see. My kiddo is only 3, and DS is still in my belly, but DH and I will definitely be taking them to concerts. Sure I'll have a lot of explaining and teaching to do, but I think it'll be worth it.

 

[Tinijocaro]

DH bought me tickets to Black Eyed Peas and thought about buying some for the kids (8,11,12 and 15) too but figured there would be a lot of foul language so he only got the two of us tickets.

Turned out that the only swear word I could make out (and I was listening for it) was sh*t. It was a really clean show, can't say enough about how impressed I was that they made it mostly kid friendly.

The only reason I'm glad we didn't take them was due to the volume of the concert. I can't imagine that would be good for young ears-it was soooo loud and I don't think any of my kids would have been comfortable with the sheer volume.

There were tons of kids there, many very young.

 

[MM27]

If your kids enjoy the music/artists, and you think it's not going to traumatize or harm them, why care what anyone else thinks?

My 4 year old niece loves music. Right now she's on a California Girls kick. It's cute when she sings it and the fact is, at 4, she doesn't "get" the meaning of some of the lyrics. I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[RadioNate]

While I wouldn't have taken DS to see Ke$ha or Rihanna that is only because I don't think *I* could sit through the show.

We saw Paul McCartney a few weeks ago and there were A LOT of kids. I think DS would have really liked it but tickets were nearly $200 each and I wasn't spending that on a 9 year old.

We debated going to a music festival this weekend but again, ticket prices kept us home. 8 and under were free with an adult so DD was covered but I didn't want to pay $150 ish for the 9 year old. I guess I'm too honest, lol. Had it been 10 & under, I think we would have went...with the 2 year old in tow too.

 

[We_Love_Disney]

I tend to agree with OP's co-worker. Rhianna is way way too explicit for such young children to be part of. She is not a role model in my mind at all. I would have to say that the artist (or performer) would be the key to my decision, and then the price. I see no reason to drop a couple hundred dollars, especially with children so young to stand in a crowded venue listening to the audience sing the songs. It is highway robbery. Concerts, for the most part, are an adult thing.

I guess I am a different kind of mom. I did not allow DD to watch cartoons, she didn't see Rugrats, and so many of the other shows that were in vogue. Why? Because, I saw no need to expose my child to these types of things until I knew she was old enough to understand what was wrong with the behaviors and actions that were being presented.

Last summer, DD and I went to the Billy Joel/Elton Joel concert. It was her first concert!! We had a blast. Undeniably, it was the best introduction to the concert world.

 

[JVL1018]

I brought DS and DSS (almost 9 and almost 10) to the Rihanna/Kesha concert last weekend. We had a great time. We met up with my friend and her teenaged cousin and we tailgated before the concert with grinders (and yes, my friend and I even had a couple adult beverages) and we had a blast. The kids like both artists, and even though the lyrics can be a bit racy, they understand what is and isn't appropriate to say/sing (when they download songs for their Ipods they can't get the expletive version). I guess I'm not big on editing stuff for the kids sake, don't get me wrong I'm not going to let them watch R rated movies, but songs that have some bad language or slightly questionable content, I'd rather explain it to them and let them know what is and isn't acceptable. I guess my attitude is I can't child-proof the world around us, so I'd rather world-proof the kids.

ANYWAYS, we had a great time, it was their first concert, we got our tickets unexpectedly upgraded to awesome seats (we only paid $10 for our tickets and ended up 15 rows back from the stage! ). I was talking about the concert to some people at work, and a co-worker of mine was HORRIFIED that I brought my children to such a concert.... she pretty much all but told me I was a rotten parent and what did DSS's mom think (and btw, I asked her prior to buying the tickets and she was fine with him going).

I was pretty shocked by this reaction. There were a lot of kids, many younger than my kids, at the show, and these are songs that are on the radio it isn't like I brought them to a rave or to a trash/death metal show or to a Little Kim show.

I don't know... thoughts? Has anyone else brought their kids to a concert like this at this age. My sons would love to see Britney Spears or even Lady Gaga, and honestly, I would love to take them (if the tickets were in my price range). My co-worker almost fainted when I said that.

My BFF was going to see Kesha/Rhianna Thursday at Madison Square Garden and the person she was going with had to cancel, so she asked me if my 10 year old daughter wanted to go. I said sure! They had a great time.
I got a text after the show from my daughter: Kesha=awesome. Rhianna=awesome. This night was awesome!!
I was so happy for her, she had a great time and made some great memories with her "aunt".

We took our kids to their first concert when they were about 5 and 7, I think. Springsteen, because I felt they should start with the very best.
Last year my BFF and I took both my kids to see American Idol.
If we had extra money my husband was going to take them both the see Kiss this summer, but it wasn't in the budget.

ETA: My kids wear earplugs at concerts, so the volume of the shows is not an issue.

 

[disneyelaine]

I would have passed on those artists with kids that age. I don't like them or bad lyrics. BUT I did take my now 17 yr old son to his first concert at age 6 The Backstreet Boys! He loved them at that age and it was such a fun experience!

Oh, wait...actually I took him to Barney Live when he was 3. Guess that was his first concert

 

[1stluvispooh]

I am working this summer at an outdoor concert pavilion. There have been a lot I have seen that has shocked me. Like the 4 year old at the Alice Cooper concert! Oh by the way Grandma and Grandpa took her. At that particular concert there were a lot of the under 8 crowd wearing the Alice make-up. I wouldn't take me kids to see Alice and they are 12 and 10. But what is really shocking is the adult and how they act. Most are great others come to a concert looking to create problems.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

took DD12 to Green Day.

I was amazed at how mixed the crowd was.

Lots of bad language, but she is almost 13 and it is time to let up on the censoring. We did quite a bit when she was little.

At the same time it is heavy on the adult language, they are pulling young kids up to take part in the action onstage - that was really nice.