7 and 9 year old too Young for a Concert?

[pbans]

I've kind of avoided this....but I wouldn't take kids that young.
Mostly because I'm not spending that kind of money on tickets for little kids.....
it's a bit indulgent for my parenting skill set....I wouldn't buy my kid $100 tennis shoes at that age either.....
Having said that, it's totally your call on how you raise and entertain your children.....
DO NOT, however, expect ME to curtail my language, my drunkeness, my idiocy, my FUN because you chose to bring your kids to what is primarily and adult environment....because I paid a lot of money for a ticket to be an idiot.

[Lightning Bolt]

I've kind of avoided this....but I wouldn't take kids that young.
Mostly because I'm not spending that kind of money on tickets for little kids.....
it's a bit indulgent for my parenting skill set....I wouldn't buy my kid $100 tennis shoes at that age either.....
Having said that, it's totally your call on how you raise and entertain your children.....
DO NOT, however, expect ME to curtail my language, my drunkeness, my idiocy, my FUN because you chose to bring your kids to what is primarily and adult environment....because I paid a lot of money for a ticket to be an idiot.

wPs, right down to this last idiot.

[blackjack]

Yours might be a little young, but...

We took our 11-year old daughter last year, tailgating and all. She didn't drink much (j/k).

We explained to her before we left that she was going to see lots of crazy things and if she saw "bad" things, to ignore them and not stare.

She saw a boobie bong and said "all the boys look like babies drinking from there."

She saw beer pong and played a little (with water).

She also saw the sunset over Philly from the Camden lawn.

She also saw 15 of our phriends circle us and provide a "buffer" for her from the young drunks on the lawn.

She also had a security guard escort her to front row for one song and bring her back to me.

As we were leaving, she said she had a great time and "what happens at Jimmy Buffett, stays at Jimmy Buffett."

I think she'll fit in just fine.

[MammaBear]

I've kind of avoided this....but I wouldn't take kids that young.
Mostly because I'm not spending that kind of money on tickets for little kids.....
it's a bit indulgent for my parenting skill set....I wouldn't buy my kid $100 tennis shoes at that age either.....
Having said that, it's totally your call on how you raise and entertain your children.....
DO NOT, however, expect ME to curtail my language, my drunkeness, my idiocy, my FUN because you chose to bring your kids to what is primarily and adult environment....because I paid a lot of money for a ticket to be an idiot.

I agree..my keet is not a fan so the one concert we took him to (atlantic city) with no tailgaiting, etc was very sedate...actually, i was the one up dancing in the higher level seats doing my best to embarass him! He was 14 at the time...

However, having been to many Buffett concerts and tailgates, I would not take the kids....

[pbans]

I've kind of avoided this....but I wouldn't take kids that young.
Mostly because I'm not spending that kind of money on tickets for little kids.....
it's a bit indulgent for my parenting skill set....I wouldn't buy my kid $100 tennis shoes at that age either.....
Having said that, it's totally your call on how you raise and entertain your children.....
DO NOT, however, expect ME to curtail my language, my drunkeness, my idiocy, my FUN because you chose to bring your kids to what is primarily and adult environment....because I paid a lot of money for a ticket to be an idiot.

I agree..my keet is not a fan so the one concert we took him to (atlantic city) with no tailgaiting, etc was very sedate...actually, i was the one up dancing in the higher level seats doing my best to embarass him! He was 14 at the time...

However, having been to many Buffett concerts and tailgates, I would not take the kids....

I took my daughter for the first time when she was 12....we had a great time, but there were definitely moments that I cringed a bit....and God knows, my daughter has NOT led a sheltered life.
I took her again when she was 15 or 16....and now she goes with me to Vegas every year....and she rocks with it....I'll always take her to that show with me.

[caly]

I've kind of avoided this....but I wouldn't take kids that young.
Mostly because I'm not spending that kind of money on tickets for little kids.....
it's a bit indulgent for my parenting skill set....I wouldn't buy my kid $100 tennis shoes at that age either.....
Having said that, it's totally your call on how you raise and entertain your children.....
DO NOT, however, expect ME to curtail my language, my drunkeness, my idiocy, my FUN because you chose to bring your kids to what is primarily and adult environment....because I paid a lot of money for a ticket to be an idiot.

if this had a "like" button like face book does I would it ! I had the same closing thoughts, just didn't put it into print.

[inked-parrotthead]

I bought tickets to my first Buffett show at DTE in Michigan this summer. I plan on going with my wife and 7 and 9 year old boys. Because I've never been to a Buffett show I'm wondering if anyone would advise against taking boys of this age.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

Id just be aware,they will more than likely see some things you may need to explain...and some of it may be tough to explain......got two keets my self and we have never taken them,Ha-Ha , that may be because Mrs.Inked and I,are more than likely part of the things you may not wanna have to explain!!!!! Have Phun!!!

[jeffklein]

Wow, just wow! Some of these responses are just hilarious! We took our 4 year old daughter and our 3 month (yes, I said, "month") old son to see Buffett in Pittsburgh last year and we all had a blast. The video crew came around and saw our setup (kids, cheeseburgers, father-in-law in wheelchair, and our VW Westfalia) and asked if they could tape us for "Changes in Latitudes..." Obviously, we obliged and when our daughter saw herself on the big screen and strangers around her high-fived her, she was the absolute happiest person at the show at that moment. Jimmy even mentioned us after the song. He said something to the effect of, "It's a family affair for some out there. You gotta start 'em young". We knew he was talking about us because we were the only family with kids that was shown on the screen.
As far as the tailgating goes, there were no problems. Everybody around us was absolutely amazing to our daughter and acted perfectly. For those of you who said you would still act like "idiots" around kids, don't kid yourselves. You wouldn't. We walked all around the parking lot that day and everybody was awesome to her. She still talks about that show to this day. My parakeets are wondering why you are starting your kids out so late in life....LOL.....
Attack me now....

[JollyMon66]

Wow, just wow! Some of these responses are just hilarious! We took our 4 year old daughter and our 3 month (yes, I said, "month") old son to see Buffett in Pittsburgh last year and we all had a blast. The video crew came around and saw our setup (kids, cheeseburgers, father-in-law in wheelchair, and our VW Westfalia) and asked if they could tape us for "Changes in Latitudes..." Obviously, we obliged and when our daughter saw herself on the big screen and strangers around her high-fived her, she was the absolute happiest person at the show at that moment. Jimmy even mentioned us after the song. He said something to the effect of, "It's a family affair for some out there. You gotta start 'em young". We knew he was talking about us because we were the only family with kids that was shown on the screen.
As far as the tailgating goes, there were no problems. Everybody around us was absolutely amazing to our daughter and acted perfectly. For those of you who said you would still act like "idiots" around kids, don't kid yourselves. You wouldn't. We walked all around the parking lot that day and everybody was awesome to her. She still talks about that show to this day. My parakeets are wondering why you are starting your kids out so late in life....LOL.....
Attack me now....

I guess more power to you ...mine are 16, 18, 18, and 20...certainly old enough to go but they have no interest and I'm just as happy at this point. It sounds a bit selfish but we spend lots of TIME and MONEY week after week taking care of being parents to 4 so having them with us at an all day tailgate just isn't happening. Wait a minute...3 drive...maybe should take at least one of them to DD

[capnbobby]

I really think this comes down to the discretion of the parents and what their values are and what their comfortable with. I don't think there's an objective answer here.


Cap'n Bobby

[MammaBear]

Wow, just wow! Some of these responses are just hilarious! We took our 4 year old daughter and our 3 month (yes, I said, "month") old son to see Buffett in Pittsburgh last year and we all had a blast. The video crew came around and saw our setup (kids, cheeseburgers, father-in-law in wheelchair, and our VW Westfalia) and asked if they could tape us for "Changes in Latitudes..." Obviously, we obliged and when our daughter saw herself on the big screen and strangers around her high-fived her, she was the absolute happiest person at the show at that moment. Jimmy even mentioned us after the song. He said something to the effect of, "It's a family affair for some out there. You gotta start 'em young". We knew he was talking about us because we were the only family with kids that was shown on the screen.
As far as the tailgating goes, there were no problems. Everybody around us was absolutely amazing to our daughter and acted perfectly. For those of you who said you would still act like "idiots" around kids, don't kid yourselves. You wouldn't. We walked all around the parking lot that day and everybody was awesome to her. She still talks about that show to this day. My parakeets are wondering why you are starting your kids out so late in life....LOL.....
Attack me now....

SSSHHHHH don't tell anybody that! We have a reputation to uphold! And...what happens at Buffett stays at Buffett...

[CTParrothead763]

Wow, just wow! Some of these responses are just hilarious! We took our 4 year old daughter and our 3 month (yes, I said, "month") old son to see Buffett in Pittsburgh last year and we all had a blast. The video crew came around and saw our setup (kids, cheeseburgers, father-in-law in wheelchair, and our VW Westfalia) and asked if they could tape us for "Changes in Latitudes..." Obviously, we obliged and when our daughter saw herself on the big screen and strangers around her high-fived her, she was the absolute happiest person at the show at that moment. Jimmy even mentioned us after the song. He said something to the effect of, "It's a family affair for some out there. You gotta start 'em young". We knew he was talking about us because we were the only family with kids that was shown on the screen.
As far as the tailgating goes, there were no problems. Everybody around us was absolutely amazing to our daughter and acted perfectly. For those of you who said you would still act like "idiots" around kids, don't kid yourselves. You wouldn't. We walked all around the parking lot that day and everybody was awesome to her. She still talks about that show to this day. My parakeets are wondering why you are starting your kids out so late in life....LOL.....
Attack me now....

This is obviously a decision that each must make individually.

I agree with the quote above. Two years ago we took our 4 year old to GW. Except for the monsoon that hit for a good part of the afternoon (anyone remember that?) he had a great time! Our neighbors in the tail gate area adopted him and included him in games like beer pong (obviously without the beer). Most of the phans actually went out of their way to make him feel real welcome. He loved the concert, although he knew most of the songs already. Fell asleep in his chair around 9:30 and we stayed to the end and carried him out. Still talks about it to this day.

I also agree that ticket prices might be a problem. We skipped last year but are going back to GW this year. Now he is six and really looking forward to going again. We will also have his 3 year old sister in tow.

So if you are going to the tailgate to play X rated games and get real drunk, obviously don't bring them. If you just want an afternoon and night of fun, go for it. No regrets here.

[be at the beach]

I can see both sides of the issue but we have taken our kids since they were about a year old. When they were younger we would not take them to every concert and they were always upset when they couldn't go. We always have lawn seats and have never had any issues. Our younger son did get embarressed once when he realized that one of the officers helping to direct traffic was the resource officer at his school - and at the time we probably weren't on our best behavior. They are both grown now and still love to go to Buffett shows with us. In fact our younger son went to a different concert last summer with some friends and said he was really excited because while he had probably been to about 30 concerts about 25 of them were Buffett shows.
The rest of our family takes their kids as well and happily it has always gone well. As many people have said you have to be prepared for anything but a little advance warning and they should be fine.

[spartan1979]

Our 13 yo has seen Jimmy four times, he had to be six or seven when we took him for the first time and we were in the lawn. There were no issues and the people around us were very nice to both of our sons. I can't imagine taking an infant, though.

We haven't taken them the last couple of times, it's just too expensive. I even decided not to go my self this year.

[spucketts]

7 and 9 aren't too young, the problem is way to many of the rest of us are too old......

[surfpirate]

You people do realize that the OP (radarriley) has left the building
and not returned
and that
you are just talking to yourselves at this point.

[SeattleParrotHead]

7 and 9 aren't too young, the problem is way to many of the rest of us are too old......

HEY!

[ph4ever]

You people do realize that the OP (radarriley) has left the building
and not returned
and that
you are just talking to yourselves at this point.

PULEASE.............. like that's something new?

[radarriley]

Still in the building, taking in all of the comments. Thanks to everyone that took time to share their perspective. I'm looking forward to taking my boys to the show, they both love Jimmy's music, I'm sure they'll have have a great time. Tickets are a bit expensive, but what price can you put on a memory that your kids will keep for a lifetime? Hopefully more memories of Jimmy's show and fewer memories of nude, drunken adults

[Wildh2oskier]

Took my 16 and my 4 year old to the Gulf Coast show last year. This video of the 2 of them dancing to Jimmy in the sand and the lil one doing fins on my shoulders are some of my best memories. Pure magic I'm telling you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4xC3RudgAg

Can't get the video to do right here.