Introducing Live Fine Arts - Page 2

[WifeMomChiro]

I've taken my DD to plays since she was 18 months or so. She is 4 now and I don't think she didn't do very well with the last play. I think it is totally independent to each child on when they can handle these types of things. My suggestion would be to try out something cheap/free so that you don't feel badly if you have to leave early.

[sunnmama]

Originally Posted by velochic

I'm always amazed to see that she's one of only a very few children who attend these events and wondered why. Obviously there are lots of others her age attending. I wonder if people feel pressured to wait because these places say they have an "age limit"?

Possibly. But I think it is likely that parents who wish to bring their child will
plead their case, as you did. Or just fib about the age (not condoning that, but people do it). If you are a person with the awareness that your child would appreciate it, and the resources to afford the performance, you are probably worldly enough to know that exceptions can be made.

A lot of people probably consider these kinds of performances "couple time" or "me time", and get a sitter for the kids.

[velochic]

Originally Posted by sunnmama

Possibly. But I think it is likely that parents who wish to bring their child will
plead their case, as you did. Or just fib about the age (not condoning that, but people do it). If you are a person with the awareness that your child would appreciate it, and the resources to afford the performance, you are probably worldly enough to know that exceptions can be made.

A lot of people probably consider these kinds of performances "couple time" or "me time", and get a sitter for the kids.

I think you're probably right. About all of this. It's funny, though because when it comes to opera, it's kind of dh and dd's thing. Everything else, the symphony, ballet, etc. we all enjoy. But opera is not my favorite and is kind of a "daughter-daddy time" rather than couple time. Which I'm more than happy to let them have so I get the "me time" at home.

[Girlprof]

Definitely depends on the performance and the kid. DS has always been amazing at sitting still. Incredible, since when he is *not* sitting still, he is bouncing all over the place. In any case, we started with free afternoon concerts around 18 months. I think his first at night, pricey tickets, not kid event was around 3. He's also been to several "house concerts" where he is invariably the only child. At 6, I would trust him to behave well at almost any venue with almost any performance. I'm not sure he would enjoy an opera, but I would absolutely trust him to get through it.

Still, he only gets to go to our favorite musical theater place once a season, because that is our couple time. The theater has been amazing about explaining what their age limits mean when we pick the show for him. For example, a show with a lot of dancing and action is great for kids. Pippin has that, but isn't so great because of some of the themes. They advised us not to take him to Camelot because even though there are plenty of knights, it's basically a romance, which is boring to six year olds.

Our daughter, at almost 3, has been to almost nothing. She is more committed to her nap schedule and less committed to sitting still.

[RoadBuddy]

We're taking 3 year old DS to the Nutcracker this winter. He's terrible at sitting still but loves music and is getting calmer, so we're going to try. He's not at all ready for a play or anything without a ton of music.

We've been to outdoor pops concerts and such, but that's such a different environment that it doesn't really count. Our symphony has kids concerts, as well, and he's done OK at those. I'd recommend these types of things to parents whose kids are interested but not quite ready for the "regular" performances.