[Ansteorra] Little Ones at Events (how I do it)

[Elinor Salter]

First of all, some of these ideas may already have been mentioned.  I've 
probably seen them, but if I want to contribute at all to this subject 
this week, this is how I have to do it.  Fellow parents, I'm sure you 
understand.

Ian's first event was when he was 8 weeks old - Queen's Prize in 
Calontir.  He was wonderfully behaved and even though his promised 
loaner garb was forgotten, he was even more period, being happily 
swaddled in a white blanket most of the time.  Yes swaddling is 
wonderful (Ian slept through the night within a week of us starting 
doing it at 4 weeks, ask me if you want instructions).

His largest event to date has been all 9 days of Lilies War last year.  
Yes, wars can be done with small ones, although you do need quite a bit 
more space.  And I highly recommend the wagon.  He had a blast.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/jjmoreta/lilieswarxix/IMG_1571.jpg 
(muddy)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/jjmoreta/lilieswarxix/IMG_1628.jpg 
(fighter)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/jjmoreta/lilieswarxix/IMG_1637.jpg 
(happy)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/jjmoreta/lilieswarxix/IMG_1653.jpg 
(hydration)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/jjmoreta/sca/ian_111205_threekings.jpg 
(okay this is 3 Kings but the kilt is adorable)

So we purchased a Radio Flyer wagon like this one (also sold in-store).  
Why did we choose this one?  SEATBELTS!  You need to understand, my son 
is a moose.  He started at 10 lbs, and at 2.5 years (today!) he is 40.5" 
and 45 lbs.  Sadly my muscles have not caught up with his weight for 
long-term carrying.  At the time of Lilies, he was only 1 yr, 7 mos, and 
did not understand not to climb out of a moving wagon.  I wanted one of 
the more period looking wooden wagons, but seatbelts won every time.

Radio Flyer Pathfinder - 
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=3541214

This is how we dressed it up.  We had several reasons for wanting to do 
this - to make it less jarring and because pale redheads and UV 
radiation don't mix well.  If you want details on how to do this, please 
let me know.  At one point I wanted to do a website, but we haven't had 
time.  This was done in a hurry and could have been done much better.  I 
wouldn't mind doing it again for the next one, but he's old enough that 
we don't need the wagon.  And yes, except for the sides held up, this is 
an interpretation of a medieval wagon cover - there are later Flemish 
ones which resemble Conestogas

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/jjmoreta/lilieswarxix/IMG_1602.jpg

If you have a Radio Flyer wooden-sided model, I highly recommend this 
accessory.  I hear it is discontinued, so get it while you can.  It is 
very close to period designs and will keep the sun off.  I've half been 
pondering getting a wooden wagon and cover for ourselves (now that 
seatbelts aren't a primary concern), if it wasn't for the extra cost.

http://www.wagondepot.com/Wagon_Cover_Kit_Medium_p/wwc-wwcrm.htm

We also used a harness when he was younger, ignoring hostile looks 
people usually shoot us.  Plus, they may be period.  I didn't find 
harnesses specifically when I did some research a while back, but I did 
find medieval descriptions of older infants being tied into their 
cradles, an Elizabethan (or possibly later) method of tying a kid to a 
pole in a kitchen, and there are the much later examples of leading strings.

Childcare - My husband Eric is a heavy fighter.  He wants to progress in 
his skills, so right now our event priority is letting him fight.  I 
have missed out on volunteering at events, taking classes, watching the 
fighting or activities, and many other things but my rationale is that I 
can do all those things even if I'm 80.  Eric won't be able to fight 
nearly that long.  LOL  But when he's done fighting, if he feels up to 
it, he will watch Ian and let me do activities that I want.  And 
no-fighting events?  Those are gold to me and he gets most of the 
chasing duties by agreement.  My in-laws can watch him sometimes, but 
not all the time, and I wouldn't want to do that to Ian anyways.  I 
firmly believe that the best way for him to learn how to behave well 
within the SCA is to participate.  And he is making progress.  Right now 
we're working on mine vs. theirs, or how not to run into other people's 
encampments and play with their stuff.  =)

Clothing and harnesses -   Slings were no use to us, since he hated 
them.  As a baby, I made him a t-tunic and some wonderful lady gifted me 
with an infant coif at an event (her children had outgrown it).  Make 
t-tunics at least 2-3 sizes too large, especially if you expect them to 
grow (I made his 4 month t-tunic based on an 18 month size and he 
outgrew it long before then).  Extra hems can be tacked up to be let 
down as they grow.  I've mentioned harnesses and wagons.

Diapers - Sassy (found at Wal-Mart) makes these wonderful diaper 
disposal bags.  My trick is to put a few wipes inside one of the bags 
and then roll up the bag and tuck it inside a diaper.  It makes a very 
convenient bundle for your basket and the disposal bag solves the trick 
of "where can I put this stink bomb to annoy the least number of 
people".  They really do work.  Right now we're on the cusp of potty 
training, but I plan on using a combination of an inflatable potty and a 
fold-up potty seat (for little boys who decide they want to use a port o 
potty but will fall in unless mommy holds them up and they're sitting 
sideways *groan*)

Hydration - offer the cup or bottle on them at least once an hour.  If 
you are using formula, Munchkin makes these wonderful pre-measured 
formula containers (holds 3 bottles worth).  Fill your bottles with 
water, pour the formula in and you have instant gratification.  For 
older children, Juicy Juice drink boxes are wonderful.  But I recommend 
diluting it 50/50 and limiting it to 1 box a day.  When its done, offer 
water.  They will drink it and learn to enjoy it.

Camping - at Lilies, Ian shared one of our inflatable mattresses, but we 
had been cosleeping in a sidecar arrangement anyways.  We just found a 
children's cot at Wal-Mart online, which had mixed results at Elfsea 
Defender, but it was new at the time.  There are inflatable mattresses 
made for kids, but most of them will only be good for another 5 inches 
worth of Ian.  LOL 

Food - it was easier when he was smaller and eating baby or toddler 
food, but we feel it out as we go.  Fruit and crackers are very popular 
with him.  Yogurt is very important at wars for digestive support and is 
good for protein.  He's not a big meat eater, but will eat ham lunchmeat 
and cheese. 

Toys - my goal is to have medievalish toys for him at some point, but 
we're still working on that.  Little bottles of bubbles are a godsend 
during court.  I bought a wooden recorder for him at 12th Night that he 
loves.  We have some stacking blocks, but they're too heavy to go 
anywhere but camp.  His dad made him a teeny boffer from PVC and 
funnoodle (and he knows not to hit people who aren't in armor) and my 
sister found him some Lego foam knight gear for Xmas.  I have been 
collecting medieval-ish books from thrift stores and garage sales, but 
he's still too young.  The point is to try.  My goal is that when he 
gets older, I don't want him to be in the tent playing a handheld video 
game or with Magic cards.  Of course it will be up to him, but I want 
him to learn how to help others and learn about medieval games.  He may 
end up not wanting to participate in the SCA, at which point I will try 
to find a compromise, but hopefully I can make it fun enough along the 
way that it won't be a problem.

Well I'm probably leaving stuff off, but this post is way too long as it 
is and I have a sewing day to get to.  Is there an Ansteorran parents 
email list?  If so, let me know what it is.  If not, we need to make 
one.  I am saddened by past experiences where friends have babies and 
virtually disappear from the SCA until their children are older (if they 
do make it back at all).  I may not be able to participate at 100%, but 
I still want us to participate as a family.

-- 
Elinor Salter
Barony of the Steppes, Ansteorra