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My last show was out at South Hampton College, almost four years ago. I haven't been to a show since (I've got set list issues). My oldest daughter is now 3 1/2. I am not concerned about her age, she can handle a show.
What I am concerned about is going without her. Will I sit at the show and wish she was there? Can I go to my first show since she was born without her?
I don't know if I can. How many opportunities will I have to go to a show with my kid? Do I want to waste one of those opportunities?

PS Don't waste time focusing on the age issue. As I said,she can handle a show, and I can handle anyone who doesn't think she should be there.

As long as you have a capable babysitter that you are confident in, don't worry about her...she'll be fine and will be having a good time and going to sleep at a normal hour.

I have a young child that I've taken to several Buffett shows (he's always fallen asleep before the show was over)...he has lots of fun at the tailgate and wears himself out.

Relax, enjoy yourself and have a good time without the keet.

jbfins,
My personal reason for never taking my kids was purely selfish, it was my chance to get away from my daily life and responsibilities and head to margaritaville for half a day or so. I am taking them this year however they are now 16 and 19; I wanted them to experience a Buffett concert at least one time in their lives just in case the opportunity to do so ends some day. I've toyed with the idea of taking them before now but my biggest set back was the tailgating entertainment, again, selfish reasons, I didn't want to be chained to my spot in the parking lot to keep my kids from seeing things that they probably shouldn't

It sounds like you spend a great deal of time with your daughter and that is great but remember you need some adult fun time too. Have you ever been away from her before now for a half a day or more? If so, then you'll probably be able to go without her and have some 'you' time and to a certain extent you'll wish she was there but that will make getting home to see her that more special. You will have many opportunities to go to shows with your daughter, the question is, will it be Buffett? As for wasting the opportunities? Consider this, albeit another selfish reason, you'll pay good money for a ticket and you will be the only one that remembers the moment. Whats fun for you isn't necessarily fun for her at 3 1/2.

I'm no Dr. Phil, just another parent who opted to wait several years. Hell, I didn't take my kids to Disney World until they were in their teens and it was well worth the wait for memories we can all share.

Good luck with your decision.

I would never want to take a child to a show.
There is a lot of things they don't need to see. This is an adult time and a time when the adult gets to enjoy being away from the child. Each time I see a child at a show I shake my head. Kids will survive if they actually have to wait for something. I was a very privileged child and did all kinds of stuff with my parents. We camped, day tripped and spent a lot of time together. I did not have to do "everything" with them. I have traveled a great deal since I was an adult and appreciated if even more. In my eyes there is family time and there is adult time.
Good luck with your decision. She probably will have no idea there was ever a issue.
IMHO

I don't have any keets but I can tell you one thing. I don't remember a THING from when I was 3 1/2 except falling downstairs once and breaking my collarbone. So while I'm sure you enjoy taking her - and that's really nice - she's not going to remember much, if any, of it. So don't feel bad about going on your own.

Oh, I get plenty of "me" time. Heck, I am booking a little personal trip to the BVI's. Heading down solo, just me and my tent. My wife and I also do plenty of stuff without our child.

I'm just thinking that I'll be sitting at the show, wishing my kid was there. As I said, I don't go to shows anymore. It's kind of a been there, done that thing. But someone bought me tickets to the first MSG show, so I'm going.

My issue is that since she was born, I've pretty much looked forward to seeing the look on her face when she sees thousands of people doing fins and I've dreamed of holding her during APL@40. If I don't bring her now, when will I?

jbfins wrote:Oh, I get plenty of "me" time. Heck, I am booking a little personal trip to the BVI's. Heading down solo, just me and my tent. My wife and I also do plenty of stuff without our child.

I'm just thinking that I'll be sitting at the show, wishing my kid was there. As I said, I don't go to shows anymore. It's kind of a been there, done that thing. But someone bought me tickets to the first MSG show, so I'm going.

My issue is that since she was born, I've pretty much looked forward to seeing the look on her face when she sees thousands of people doing fins and I've dreamed of holding her during APL@40. If I don't bring her now, when will I?

I have also wanted to take my daughter to see Jimmy and couldn't wait to see her face when the crowd does fins...she will be 11 in August and her time still isn't here yet...I'll bet you will have some time yet..time she will remember...I feel confident Jimmy will announce his "last" tour and then you can make certain she sees and feels everything you want her too!

But then again...if it is going to bother you so..only YOU know when it is time and only YOU can decide that...

I have three keets and since I've never taken them to a concert, I'd say YEAH absolutely go without her. it could be hot-- it could be raining-- there will be nudity and leudity (is that a word???? ) and you will have the greatest time being a big ol' KID! go! have fun! tell her stories and then one day before you know it, she'll be 16 and wearing a bikini and you can stick to her like glue and chase off the frat boys offering her a jello shooter! take advantage of the times before you have to do that

freaky4tiki wrote:I have three keets and since I've never taken them to a concert, I'd say YEAH absolutely go without her. it could be hot-- it could be raining-- there will be nudity and leudity (is that a word???? ) and you will have the greatest time being a big ol' KID! go! have fun! tell her stories and then one day before you know it, she'll be 16 and wearing a bikini and you can stick to her like glue and chase off the frat boys offering her a jello shooter! take advantage of the times before you have to do that

bestly put (new word too)

I fail to understand the rationale of taking a toddler to a Buffett concert. You take a toddler to a Barney concert or The Wiggles, or Dora or The Nutcracker, heck maybe even Cats. But why Buffett? Sorry, there is absolutely no reason to do so...I mean, it ain't like every song he plays deals with adult concepts in one way or another.

At the Pittsburgh concert there was a lady with an infant in the 5th row. Why? Seriously, why? Charleston offered the lady earplugs for the kid, which she refused...I guess the kid would not have gotten the true flavor of the concert with those plugs in his little infant ears.

I don't take my kids to the bar with me.

I don't take my kids to Mardi Gras with me.

I don't take my kids to Fantasy Fest with me.

And I don't take my kids to Buffett with me. They understand that these activities are adult activities for Mommy and Daddy to enjoy.

Can you go to a concert without your 3 1/2 year old? Sure. Get a babysitter and go. But to attempt to justify your feeling that you can't go without your toddler because she will be missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime is a bit ridiculous.

I took my daughter to a concert in Las Vegas





She was 22 and took good care of her silly old mother.

Why do you think you MUST go with your kid? Are parents not allowed to have fun without them?

ColdWaterConch wrote:I fail to understand the rationale of taking a toddler to a Buffett concert. You take a toddler to a Barney concert or The Wiggles, or Dora or The Nutcracker, heck maybe even Cats. But why Buffett? Sorry, there is absolutely no reason to do so...I mean, it ain't like every song he plays deals with adult concepts in one way or another.

At the Pittsburgh concert there was a lady with an infant in the 5th row. Why? Seriously, why? Charleston offered the lady earplugs for the kid, which she refused...I guess the kid would not have gotten the true flavor of the concert with those plugs in his little infant ears.

I don't take my kids to the bar with me.

I don't take my kids to Mardi Gras with me.

I don't take my kids to Fantasy Fest with me.

And I don't take my kids to Buffett with me. They understand that these activities are adult activities for Mommy and Daddy to enjoy.

Can you go to a concert without your 3 1/2 year old? Sure. Get a babysitter and go. But to attempt to justify your feeling that you can't go without your toddler because she will be missing out on an opportunity of a lifetime is a bit ridiculous.

CWC, I couldn't have said it better myself!!!

I left my wife at home 9 months pregnant for my first show.
Also went to a show on my son's 2nd birthday.
That's how I roll

Go enjoy the concert without your child. Don't feel guilty.

How about seeking something else to take your 'keet too.....
Jake Shimabukuro, Peter Mayer, any one of the number of Buffett cover bands.....something a little tamer.....

Concerts are loud, loud noises hurt kid's ears, when kid's ears hurt they cry, when kids cry it annoys the other people who paid obscene amounts of money to see JB......

Perhaps you've heard, but some people like to drink a little at JB concerts....I've been known to do that myself.....when I drink a little, I don't watch my language.....and I don't necessarily act on my best behavior. That will happen whether or not someone's small child is sitting next to me......

I DID take my daughter (who was 12) to a Buffett concert and I did take her to the tailgate....and she saw things that were of an adult nature. I was okay with that, I don't shelter her from much.....BUT she was old enough we could talk about it, she was old enough that I didn't have to carry her.....she was old enough that she remembers it, very fondly.

You've got a lifetime ahead of you to indulge your beloved daughter with muscial experiences......savor this one for yourself.

Everyone has reasons for doing what they do. Concerts are adult time... IMO

I could give you more reasons why than why not ....but thats my choice..... not yours.

My personal opinion is that no one under 18 should be at any concert what so ever. Hell Id prefer it if they didnt allow anyone under 21 at the buffett shows. Would cut down on a lot of crap, and no one would have to worry about kids seeing stuff that they shouldnt see.

pbans wrote:when I drink a little, I don't watch my language.....and I don't necessarily act on my best behavior.

Same here Paige. What a coincidence!!!
So when are we gonna meet?

My parents did things without me. I don't hold it against them. They had limited money and deserved to be away from my sister and I occasionally.