No go areas for kids?

[jimbo21]

Ok, so we are going for the first time, and taking the kids. Boy 8, two girls 11 and 15. We are all looking forwards to it, even my 8yr old. Reading through this forum, as well as the glastonbury website, Ive had my eyes opened so to speak, about certain 'activities' that may be occuring when we are there. Altho Im not really talking about seeing people having a joint.

Now Im no prude by any stretch of the imagination, and my kids arent really your normal children. They like to stay up late when we go away, Seeing us rolling in from some Spanish bar at 4am with kids isnt unusual, when most of the other kiddies are tucked up in bed.
Im just curious to what areas I can take the kids to after dark at Glasto. Not because I wrap them up in cotton wool, but because I would look like an irresponsible parent basically. Am I right in thinking that somewhere like the stone circle isnt a place for kids, same with shangri la? Would I even be allowed to go to places like that with kids. Or would I be able to suss my way through places with ease?

Any parental advice would be very helpful.

[Hash4Cash]

i would ay there are no 'no go' areas for kids.

The late night area i petactular, and if they are aware that the 'strange' stuff that goes on there is preformance then thay should be ok. Having said that perhaps the strip club in that area might be inapporate.
The stone circle during the day will be fine, and even at night.

But you know your kids better than me, and you know where the line to be drawn is. The festial is full on and runs at full throttle, prepare them for this, that they might encounter strange people and that the social rules in normal life dont relly apply, they might see naked people, people making out, very drunk people or all three at once.

I think it is really down to you, if you see something you think is inapproate for your children, distract them from it and move away.

I know many people who have taken children of all ages and they have had a great time and consoder their children have benifited form the expriance rather than being 'polutited'.

[glastomad]

I'd keep em away from bez's acid house if they want their sanity to be with em for much longer, even i'm weary of going in there when not fully sober but yeah as H4C said its down to you thinking bout what they could be up to seeing!

[jimbo21]

Thank you, these are the sort of answers I was hoping for.

Really getting fired up now. Cant wait for it!!

Im just hoping with the long drive Im not too knackered to enjoy the Thursday.

[fireballxlarge]

What an excellent response hash4cash

[crazybird79]

Last year was the first time i had taken my kids (then boy 9 girl 14) and was also worried about what sights they would see
But all was fine
we took then upto shangri'la as i wanted them to see the lightning stick men things ??? ( hope they are there for you to see this year)
I would def say they are more prominent places that are 'no go' areas but you will be the best judge at the time.( just steer them away gently, loads more stuff to catch the eye)
We only stayed up that end of the festival for a short while at night , made our way back through the healing fields where all is more calm lol
Just cause the kids are with you doesnt mean your night life stops, and couldnt see anybody judging you unless you was to the very extreme

[stardustjunkie]

Only being 19 I can't comment as a parent (thankfully avoided that for now xD), but I can comment as someone who has been once before

I'd say it's all good. I think anyone trying to sell drugs up at Stone Circle (it does happen, people just approach and ask you) will avoid if you have kids, or I should hope they would at least. So I wouldn't worry about heading up there at night as that's the only thing I can really think might put you off. It's not dangerous at all if you're just chilling out and having a chat. It's actually lovely at night.

Also the night time areas do tend to get a bit packed out, and obviously by that time people are more off their faces than they would be during the morning hours after an hour or so of sleep ;p So it can get a bit maniac but I think as long as your kids know what to do if they lose you, and have the ability to just remain calm and not panic, it should all be fine.

I'm sure they're going to love every second, as will you

[tort]

I can only reiterate what H4C said. It's nowhere near as full on nowadays from a drugs perspective but you will see people basically letting their hair down and indulging in hedonistic activities that they wouldn't necessarily in everyday life.

I think my main concern if I had kids your age would be the crowds in the late night areas. If you want to see the fireshow in Arcadia then I suggest you get there as it's getting dark as they often do a dummy run. It'd be far too packed for little ones to see anything or enjoy during the main show at midnight.

btw I took my daughter for the first time last year. All my mates accused me of being a bad parent but only because I had left it until she was 20 to take her for her first Glastonbury experience!

[Nelly]

Thank you, these are the sort of answers I was hoping for.

Really getting fired up now. Cant wait for it!!

Im just hoping with the long drive Im not too knackered to enjoy the Thursday.

You will be so busy taking it all in the tiredness won't come to mind at all. I felt like that last year (being one for liking my sleep), I had about 5 minutes sleep in the car on Tuesday night and was a bit sleepy in the queue but once the gates opened that was it, I was off!

It is an eye opener and as has been said above, prepare them for some things, chances are they won't notice the things perhaps us 'adults' might (talking of which, Mr Nelly missed bare breasted lady sitting on hay bales last year, walked straight passed her. He was gutted when I told him)what he'd missed).

Have a great time

[guidarufino]

I personally wouldn't take youngsters to the Stone Circle or to Shangri-La at night. The Stone Circle at night is like the last days of Soddom and Gomorrah with lots of toxic smoky fires and people walking round shouting "who wants to buy some acid/pills/MDMA etc". And Shangri-La is like one gigantic after party or after hours club. Nothing wrong with that but I personally don't consider those to be appropriate or safe environments for kids of that age. But that's just my personal opinion. The thing is, there's so much else going on at Glasto at all hours or day and night, there's no need to take them to the dark side as it were! I agree there's lots of stuff that'd probably pass them by but lots of things that wouldn't. Kids get to be kids for such a short space of time, why rush to giving them grown up experiences which they will undoubtedly have soon enough anyway?

[stinkywitch]

We started taking our kids when they where 8 and 11 and they loved every minute, we have not taken them to the late night areas but the did visit stone circle with us a few times
People are respectful when you have little ones with you and we have never come across ANYTHING I wished they hadn't seen. Its all a great big learning experience and as they are kids they soak it up like sponges.
Explain the funny smelling cigs as ones bought abroad cos that is the only drug usage you will see. You will see lots and lots of people of their faces but your kids won't see them like that, they will just think they are drunk or having a whale of a time.
There is a few posts on taking kids and surviving have a look through but if you can't find the answers then ask away. I think I am a ikkle bit knowledgable in that area.

[crazybird79]

I totally disagree with ya there sorry guidarufino
I wouldnt say that them areas are totally off limits!!! just a sensible approach.
as long as you go early enough and dont stay up there until 4am then i dont see a reason why people shouldnt take kids up there.
I also have never ever been asked if i wanna buy drugs
only ever do i have any spare to sell (erm NO)
My kids had a great time up there and are totally up to experience it again this year.
like i said, we always leave before the crowds descend, so i dont see the prob?? infact thinking about it, i have seen ppl up there quiet late on with very small kids( in the days when i didnt take mine), so i suppose its each to there own as to weather or not there actually is any 'NO GO' areas.

[subtitlesonly]

I can only echo what others have said, particularly Hash4cash & Tort. I have been 'taking' my son since he was 10, he's 24 in a few weeks ! He always tells me it's the best education he ever had. And yes, he's still going to Glasto, and still camps with me and our many glasto frinds we have made over the years. The only time I have ever been concerned for his (and at times my own) safety was 2000, with the immense crowds due to fence jumpers. Alas that problem is over now, but Shangri-La can get a bit crowded at night, although the new entry/exit system this year seems to have recognised that. I tink to deny your kids the experience of the stone circle, particularly seeing a sunrise, would be a shame.

[jimbo21]

Wow, many thanks to you all for the great replies. Sounds very similair to what I was expecting. Most people on holidays are respectful when they see you with kids, Im pleased to hear that Glasto will be much the same. If anyone has any more tips please let me know. My biggest concern is that I have to just turn up with the under 13's. Im worried I should at least registered them online or something!!

[stinkywitch]

You can introduce them to the stewards in your camping area and in the kidz field. They would help if there was a problem. Get 30 or 40 business cards made up from you local post office with your phone numbers on and maybe a landline for somebody at home. Don't put the kids names on them though, for obvious reasons. When you find your camping spot note the name of the field on the cards as well and every morning tuck a few cards in the kids pockets, best of using 4 or 5 a day so if any get wet or lost they have spare. And if by anychance they do get lost they can go see a steward and get help very easy.
We also told our kids that if at any point we did get seperated then they had to go to the nearest stall and NOT wander about looking for us. The stall holder will get help.

[GlastoWatch]

Explain the funny smelling cigs as ones bought abroad cos that is the only drug usage you will see.

What do you say when one of them asks "Mummy, can I have one of those balloons?"

[stinkywitch]

We didn't get asked that one!
But we do have a honest policy with our 2 anyway and would have told them it was laughing gas.

[tort]

My biggest concern is that I have to just turn up with the under 13's. Im worried I should at least registered them online or something!!

No need to worry but if your 11 year old looks older than she is it might be worthwhile taking a copy of her birth certificate with you in case they suspect she is 13.

[Hash4Cash]

Wow, many thanks to you all for the great replies. Sounds very similair to what I was expecting. Most people on holidays are respectful when they see you with kids, Im pleased to hear that Glasto will be much the same. If anyone has any more tips please let me know. My biggest concern is that I have to just turn up with the under 13's. Im worried I should at least registered them online or something!!

a good tip with the young ones it to get them a wristband and put your phone number on it. Dont put their name, or yours on it jut the phone number. Then if you do get split up a steward or other kind person can phone you.

Also it is a good idea that they know who a truted person is, ie police, fire , ambilance, steward, security, etc, or poeple with other kids their age.

[guidarufino]

I think my biggest concern about taking kids to those kind of areas at night would be losing them! I agree that you can probably shelter them from most of the more debauched behaviour and that people are always respectful of kids at Glastonbury. Maybe it's just my recollection of those places at night which obviously has a lot to do with my state of sobriety (or lack of!) at the time but I remember them as being chaotic, noisy, dark, confusing and I got lost pretty much every time I went to the toilet despite making huge efforts to remember where I was each time.

That's what I meant Crazybird, I don't think those areas are off limits all together, just that I'd be circumspect about how late I took them there. Those places can be pretty crazy late at night and I wouldn't take kids there any more than I'd take kids to a pub or club late on a Friday or Saturday night.

[KarenEH]

i would ay there are no 'no go' areas for kids.

The late night area i petactular, and if they are aware that the 'strange' stuff that goes on there is preformance then thay should be ok. Having said that perhaps the strip club in that area might be inapporate.
The stone circle during the day will be fine, and even at night.

But you know your kids better than me, and you know where the line to be drawn is. The festial is full on and runs at full throttle, prepare them for this, that they might encounter strange people and that the social rules in normal life dont relly apply, they might see naked people, people making out, very drunk people or all three at once.

I think it is really down to you, if you see something you think is inapproate for your children, distract them from it and move away.

I know many people who have taken children of all ages and they have had a great time and consoder their children have benifited form the expriance rather than being 'polutited'.

Hee hee, have you been sampling? Your spelling's way worse than usual!! Although I would agree with all of this, I would say though that as it's not a 'family' festival outside the kids areas that some people aren't as tolerant of children as you may want them to be! The worst language I heard last year was a girl, approx 6-8 on a bloke's shoulders down by Shangri- La shouting at everyone that they were F***ing C****s!!

[Hash4Cash]

sorry about my spleng. (my 's' and 'v' keys are not working well)

The best i saw with kids was at a bar, 3 kids aged between 5 and about 9 went up to the bar and ordered a whole list of beers and shots and paid for them. I was quite supprisied until i spotteed them taking them to a group of lazy adults sitting just outside the tent.

[Twisted Fire Steward]

I don't believe there are any no-go areas for kids, it's entirely up to you. I would say though that the whole thing can be a bit overwhelming to start with, so you may want to start slowly, especially with the youngest. I first took my son when he was 7 and he took a while to adjust to it all, there was just too much for him to take in.

As others have said, make sure your kids have your mobile number on them somewhere (I usually scrawl mine on my son's upper arm with a thick pen!) and know to go to a steward if they get separated. We have re-united several kids with their parents that way.

The Lost Kids policy has changed over the years; we used to have to contact Site Welfare who would come down and get involved with it all, just in case a lost child was sent into the wrong hands. Nowadays, they trust us to use our discretion - but if you are so far out of your tree that you are incapable of looking after yourself, never mind the kids, we will call Site Welfare.

The other tip, especially if you plan to visit the Dance Village, is earplugs or ear defenders for the kids. We have to wear them while on duty by law, so that probably means the volume is capable of damaging our hearing during a four hour shift. Kids' ears are more delicate so you may want to protect them. We get bollockings every year for handing 'staff' earplugs out to kids, because the Festival runs out of them.

Oh dear, just read that back and I sound like a right killjoy. I'm not, it's great, you will love it, the kids will love it and everyone will have a great time.

[Hash4Cash]

earplugs can be got from any info point. Be aware that there is a limited supply, so get them early

[Nelly]

Or take some with you just in case.

[mifftas]

Im taking my 13 and 15 yr old boys and they will love it , wherever we got they are too im going to give them the glasto experience, ill probably see more this year than last because im taking my wife and kids whilst last year i was with the lads,someone said it might be hard to keep them entertained all day and night ???? i said " eh what are you on"!!.....glastonbury is antuigan for " Entertainment"!! ha ha

[subtitlesonly]

glastonbury is antuigan for " Entertainment"!! ha ha

quite agree

I don't mean to be confrontational, and 100% support parents right to raise their kids as they wish, but my experience tells me that denial that drugs are part of everyday life is dangerous. Children are far less likely to 'dabble' in illicit substances if they are aware of their existence and are educated in both the pro's and con's of taking them. Kids will experiment, it's part of growing up, and it's far safer if when they do so if they have as much information available to them as possible. I have taken a few days to think before posting this, I am a parent too, and don't mean to offend anyone, just a bit disturbed by the "shelter" attitude I have read in this thread. There is nothing wrong with telling your kids drugs are wrong, or telling them why some people choose to take them, but the truth is they will still make that decision themselves, when they inevitably will be faced with the option of taking them themselves.

As with the general concensus of all the posts above, your kids will be safe at Glasto whatever, it is the most child friendly festival in the world. Yes there are many twats there, but in general that is mainly due to alcohol consumption than anyting else.

Hope you all have a peaceful festival
(please don't shout me down, my intentions are good, but constructive debate is welcome)

[KarenEH]

As my kids are 17 and 20 they'll be in Shangri-La before I get there!! Seriously my experience of kids is a lot of stuff going on won't even be noticed by them, just the naked stuff that will make them giggle! They're probably used to seeing mum and dad a bit ratted from time to time so the drunkeness won't phase them. Drug education starts in school these days a lot sooner than you think! I would happily have taken mine into a late night area at 10/11 but would have left after the midnight fire show, and my major worry would be the crowd. Last year we got carried along in a mass of people and that was quite scary itself! My son was hanging on to me in case I fell over!

[subtitlesonly]

Lol- I find that, it's the kids looking after you. It's that look between parent and child when you know you've raised them right

[jimbo21]

Liking what Im hearing here, thanks peeps.

[stinkywitch]

Lol- I find that, it's the kids looking after you. It's that look between parent and child when you know you've raised them right

Breeze kept threatening to put me on a lead if I didn't stop wandering off!