[Ansteorra] A subject change...

Chris Zakes moondrgn at earthlink.net
Thu Apr 27 05:15:22 PDT 2006


At 01:14 AM 4/27/2006, you wrote:

(snip)

>Two kids under the age of 2 makes eventing.. tricky for me and Liam.  So,
>keeping in mind I can NOT be the first woman to bring smalls to an event, I
>seek the wisdom of those who have pulled this off  (eventing with babies).
>They're too small for children's activities, our closest family is in
>Biloxi, and it's not like we can leave them at home like cats where they
>get a big bowl of food and a warning about keggers.  Hints, tips, tricks?
>
>
>Moira Lindsay


This is taken from my answer to a similar question on the Rialto some years 
ago...

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. (3 times)

1. Invest in a portable crib. They are invaluable as playpens during the 
day, don't take up too much space in the tent/crash space at night, and can 
be packed relatively easily.

2. Invest in a good backpack/carrier. We used one that was basically a 
pouch with long straps, and could be used as a front, back, or side
pack. This is great for carrying/cuddling the baby and leaving your hands 
free. I've worn it while serving feasts, doing site preperation (including 
cutting down a small tree with an axe one time--baby Robert thought that 
was great fun) attending classes and meetings, etc.

3. Realize that babies don't just take up time, they take up space. 
Counting carseat, portable crib, diaper bag, extra diapers, clothes, etc., 
your baby will need nearly as much transport space as an adult. You may 
need a bigger car (and tent).

4. Remember your priorities. The baby comes before fighting or court or A&S 
projects or whatever. Unless you hold the bardic circle outside
your own tent, one of you will have to stay with Junior if the other one 
wants to go out and party. On the other hand, if you have the bardic circle 
by your tent, the noise will probably keep her awake (and fussy).
There may be times when the only reasonable thing to do is to take your 
family home, rather than try to endure the heat/cold/rain or whatever 
surprises the Ansteorran weather has in store that weekend.

5. You *could* leave the little tyke with Grandma, but don't be surprised 
if he shows no interest in the SCA when bigger. Our three were all going to 
events within a few weeks of birth, and loved it.

6. Some folks use an "SCA babysitter", someone who helps with the kid in 
exchange for transportation and site/feast fees. I've never tried
it, so I can't comment, but it sounds like a good idea.

7. Pack *lots* of extra clothes. kids & dirt are like magnets & iron.

8. If there are other families in your group, see about networking and 
trading kid-juggling for a while. On the plus side, you've got extra eyes 
and hands if you get overwhelmed. On the minus side, if your ideas on 
discipline and behaviour don't match, you're going to have friction.

9. If at all possible, plan ahead with your spouse, and be willing to make 
sacrifices. "Well, I really want to do X. If you can watch Small
then, I'll watch her during court so you can go herald."

10. Pack kid-food for lunch and feast. The average 2-year old probably 
won't be interested in eels seethed in wine, no matter *how* period it
is. Especially if feast is after court and court is running late. . . Use 
things that don't require refrigeration whenever feasible, since even the 
best ice chest isn't perfect.

11. Teach your kids basic SCA rules: Don't touch other people's stuff 
without asking, knives and fires are dangerous, etc. (We taught our
kids"HOLD" while crossing the street.) Take the time to show them dangerous 
situations and explain why they are dangerous. For example,
The site has a river on one boundary. Make time to take the kid(s) down and 
let them see it and maybe throw a few rocks in. Explain that
you can't go swimming now because it's too cold, or you don't have your 
suits, or swimming time is later when everybody can go. Make sure
they understand that Daddy or Mother has to come with, to go look at the 
river again. (My youngest daughter is reading over my shoulder and comments 
"I remember that.")

12. Set reasonable boundaries for the bigger kids. "Don't go past this 
tree, and this tent, and don't cross that road. Stay off the list field, of 
course, otherwise, have fun." Watch toddlers carefully--they're old enough 
to find trouble, but not old enough to avoid it. Remember that portable 
crib/playpen? It's still useful.

12. Try to have SCA-appropriate toys, but don't be fanatical about it. Be 
*very* careful about toy swords; most of them can still hurt if
used with force. Our kids have a rule of "only hit people who are wearing 
armor", and we give them the opportunity to take a few shots
at Mother or Daddy when they are in armor.

13. It's never too early to start teaching courtesy. It's much easier to 
teach "please" and "thank you" when they are learning to talk, than
to suddenly spring it on them at age 7.

         -Tivar Moondragon 




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