Taking Your Kids To Their First Concert

When your kids reach a certain age, they will start paying attention to pop artists. Soon after, they may express a desire to see a concert. This can happen sooner than you may think – before the teen years, for some children. Naturally, you will prefer to accompany your child for this small milestone. Here are some tips for making the experience enjoyable for both you and your child.

Pick a Concert

Choose a popular, kid-friendly group your child likes, such as the Jonas Brothers. With a group like this, you do not have to worry about questionable lyrics or lewd behavior. Get the Jonas Brothers tickets, or other popular concert tickets, in advance to make sure you get them before they sell out. If you are not sure where to buy them locally, you can always search online for ticket brokers.

Prepare for the Concert

Help your child pick out age-appropriate concert apparel. For girls this will be jeans or a skirt and a fun t-shirt or blouse. Avoid open-toed shoes. Concerts are known for large crowds, which means there is usually some jostling in the lines. Getting toes stepped on is highly likely. For boys, jeans or cargo pants and their favorite shirt and sneakers is usually perfect.

When your child is old enough to attend a concert, they are also at an age when they become self-conscious about appearance. Do not try to force the kid to wear something that causes him or her embarrassment or it can ruin the fun. On a similar note, if your child wants to wear the purple flowered vest with the green paisley skirt, then let them.
As long as clothing is not revealing or offensive in some way, now is a good time to allow your child some self-expression. If he or she asks your opinion on the outfit, however, you can be gently honest.

Set down the rules for behavior and safety before you step out of the door. If you have more than one child coming to the event, have them use the buddy system – they must stick together whenever they are not directly by your side.

At The Concert

Remain distant enough so your child does not feel like you are hovering, yet remain close enough to keep an eye on them for safety reasons. Do not let the fact that there will be other parents there let you let down your guard.

Unfortunately, you can never know where a predator may be lurking. Bring cell phones with you so you can call or text each other if he or she is separated from you. Make sure the phones are set to vibrate; in a noisy concert setting, you will not hear a phone ringing.

Setting rules and yet allowing the kids to let their hair down at the concert makes it more fun for all. Music and pop culture is a big part of children's lives. Being there for them now, and giving them some freedom of expression, may strengthen your bond with them.

Courtesy of Jenna Smith