Tips for Bringing a Toddler (No Snark Zone)

[thebaxter]

I've searched through the forums for an answer to this, but found only people chastising parents for even THINKING of bringing their kids to Coachella. Then it turns into a debate about whether or not they should even be there and the original question never gets answered. Kids ARE allowed at Coachella so how you feel about them is irrelevant. How you feel about me is also irrelevant.

What I want to know is if any parents who have brought there kids have any Coachella-specific advice about it. I already know the usual stuff about earplugs/noise canceling headphones, lots of water and sunscreen, etc. Is there anything that (having taken my kid to a hot climate but NOT Coachella) I wouldn't think of as a generally responsible parent?

Thank you in advance to experienced Coachella parents with music-loving children.

PS: More specifically, do you tend to use a child carrier/Ergo or an umbrella stroller more? We plan to bring both, but I would just like to get a feel for the experience.

[Mugwog]

You just see children looking confused at the whole mass, wearing headphones they dont wanna wear.

All I remember of my 2 grateful dead concerts were tons of people everywhere, sitting on my dad's shoulders, the funny smell of other cigarettes adults smoked and the spicy burritos my dad sold.

It's a fun memory, but its a strain on children, all that dust etc. Just leave the kids with grandma or a trusted family friend while you (parents) run amok for the first time in 2 years.

[profchaos]

Fuck your kids and your couch.

[algunz]

The stroller was easier for us.

How old is your toddler and is this your first time to the polo fields?

[PlayaDelWes]

Solicit someone on the board who already has a pass to be a sitter for an or two at a time in the shade on the polo fields while you can escape to get some free time. Pay them $25 an hour or something.

[heart cooks brain]

[thebaxter]

Yeah. That's exactly what I was talking about. Please go away.

[profchaos]

How about you leave your fucking kids at home, and keep them out of the blazing hot sun.

[algunz]

Seriously, what is the point of these comments? She/he already knows people don't like the idea.

[thebaxter]

Believe me, if I notice my child feeling "strained", I will take her out of the situation immediately. There will be another small child with us who is a 3-year Coachella vet and he always has a great time. My kid is very social and loves big parties. She's already attended one concert - the Flaming Lips, and she happily wore her headphones and rocked out to the music. Your personal experience is just that. Please believe that I know my child better than you.

[thebaxter]

EXACTLY. Trolls please get off my tits. I'm looking for real, helpful advice. I already said I don't want your judgments or abuse. Please respect that and save it for your friends.

[heart cooks brain]

Yeah. That's exactly what I was talking about. Please go away.

you kinda asked for it. i'm done.

[thebaxter]

We are already bringing a friend who will do some babysitting for us. I do not know about the polo fields but I assume they will be easy enough to find? Thank you!

[thebaxter]

Actually, I specifically asked NOT for it.

[thebaxter]

She is a very mature 2. It is the first time for myself, my husband and my daughter. We will be with another family who has a 3 1/2 year old and a 9 month old.

[heart cooks brain]

EXACTLY. Trolls please get off my tits. I'm looking for real, helpful advice. I already said I don't want your judgments or abuse. Please respect that and save it for your friends.

calm down bro, it's just a joke. i hope your kids have a great time. you sound like kind of a downer though

[profchaos]

By putting (no snark zone) you are gonna get it twice as bad.

[thebaxter]

By putting (no snark zone) you are gonna get it twice as bad.

Live and learn. Too bad it's so fucking hard to get a straight answer on the internet anymore.

[algunz]

baxter, you are being a bit bitchy.

If your friend has taken their child to the festival for the past 3 years, why aren't you asking her?

Anyway, I would definitely bring a stroller because it'll be a lot of walking. Make sure you put them in comfy clothes and bring something for when the sun goes down.

[thebaxter]

baxter, you are being a bit bitchy.

If your friend has taken their child to the festival for the past 3 years, why aren't you asking her?

I'm not trying to be bitching. I just don't know how else to respond when I made a request for only sincere answers and get insincere ones. So while I am it, I suppose I need advice on how to handle trolls without coming off as "bitchy".

I have asked my friends, but I was polling for a different perspective. It's perfectly reasonable to want a second opinion, isn't it?

Anyway, thank you for the bit about the stroller.

[guedita]

I'm not trying to be snarky or judgmental, but I am interested in knowing more about what constitutes being a "very mature 2."

[rskapcat]

thebaxter, aside from what you already mentioned (sunscreen, hydration, etc) and what Algunz mentioned, just stay tuned in to how the kiddo is doing. Will your babysitting friend be at the festival or the hotel (I'm assuming you guys aren't camping)? I would recommend not planning on being at the festival with your toddler for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time, but you (obviously!) know your kid better than some childless lady on the internet. I'm just basing that recommendation on what parents have said on here in the past.

Gunz, how long did Izzy stay at the festival when you brought her?

[dcbell05]

Baxter, you're going to have to deal with a lot of idiots or joksters at the field. I would first recommend RELAXING. Just ignore the comments that don't pertain.

And as someone pointed out, putting "(No Snark Zone)" or telling people to ONLY be serious is the easiest way to NOT get serious answers.

I saw kids last year and I didn't judge (well, mostly). If being judged by others bothers you, you need to think about that before the festival. There will be plenty of frat bros and b*tches that don't think kids should be allowed. These are also probably the a$$holes that think kids shouldn't be on airplanes and all the other normal stuff people do with their kids every day.

Hope you and your kid enjoy the show.

[algunz]

Gunz, how long did Izzy stay at the festival when you brought her?

She was there for about 2 hours and that was more than enough.

[Kid Frisco]

So you're paying $300 for your kid? That's a lot of cash for someone who poops and pees in their pants, and I don't mean me.

[Courtney]

I'm not trolling here, but I really don't understand why someone would bring a young child to Coachella. As far as I can think, these are the basic reasons parents may consider:

-Don't want to pay for a babysitter
-Can't find a babysitter they trust
-Don't want to be away for their child for that long
-Think the child may enjoy the experience

To me, as someone who manages programming for children as my full-time day job, and has done so for years, none of those seem like very compelling reasons that would outweigh the potential risks/downsides.

[heart cooks brain]

So you're paying $300 for your kid? That's a lot of cash for someone who poops and pees in their pants, and I don't mean me.

kids under 5 are free

[locachica73]

I'm with you Courtney, but I also frown when I see kids in sports bars.

[rskapcat]

If a parent is fine with the possibility of having to leave the festival after only a few hours because the kid is miserable (which is what a good parent should do), that's up to the parent. I'm crazy selfish and wouldn't be okay with that...hence why I have no children.

I will say that as an adult, *I* sometimes feel a little panicky after dark when I'm trying to find the husband or whatever. I wouldn't be comfortable trying to navigate that endless sea of people after dark with a toddler in tow. But again, different strokes. I've seen people parked on a blanket far back from the Main stage with kids after dark, and they seemed pretty chill.

[Vic Viper]

i forget where but someone once wrote a great post about how coachella with a kid is a radically (and just as entertaining) experience than without. you watch shows from farther back, sit on blankets a lot, go home earlier, have a hotel, etc. i wish i could remember but it sounded like as long you realize that you won't be moshing front rail and probably spending most of your time at the fields passively absorbing the music you'll have a blast.

but hey, some people wanna be assholes about it.

also, i don't have children, but i would recommend finding the A/C bathroom locations around the fields. i can't imagine using a port-o-potty when its 90+ degrees outside and trying to wrangle your kid in them is very...fun.