[Ansteorra] Little Ones at Events (how I do it)
Elinor Salter
elinorsalter at comcast.net
Sat May 6 09:41:47 PDT 2006
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
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