Should I Bring My Toddler to a Pop Concert ?

Unless you can get earpugs to protect her hearing, I would not take her. One concert could permanently damage her hearing.

Okay so if you are going to a venue where there is a lawn area that is not to close to the stage or the speakers I think it would be fine. She would be able to play and most people who have not paid an expensive price for the lawn seat don't get to crazy about distractions. Take a blanket and some toys just in case she loses interest. The only thing I would be aware of is if you bring her the concert is no longer about you having a good time its about making the experience the best for her and the two of you. Do it!Have fun! Kids need to be exposed to all types of atmospheres.

Hi J.,

I'm sure the tickets cost a lot and I would say the concert would last 2-3 hours. I personally would not take my 3 year old to the concert. Make this a special date night with your husband.

My first reaction is... DONT YOU NEED TIME WITH JUST YOUR HUSBAND??? :) Your daughter might enjoy listening to the CD really loud while dancing around the living room. I would save your money on her ticket and have a great time with your hubby!

Yes...I have a 3 year old as well and I have brought her to many concerts. She loves it. I would suggest ear plugs as the noise can be too much for a youngster. I think exposing your daughter to as much of the arts as possible is a great way to encourage creativity in a child.

That's a tough one. It depends on several things. Is the music appropriate? You said a Pop artist but that covers a lot of ground. What is the venue? Will there be smoking allowed - do you plan on drinking (alcohol)? The biggest concerns for me would be the time - that's kind of late for a little kid - will she have time to recover the following day(s)? And are you confident that she will not be upset by the volume and high level of energy usually found at public concerts. I wouldn't say "no" just because it's adult music - I know my kids enjoy some of my music - Jack Johnson, for example. The question is do you feel it is irresponsible? It's unlikely that she's going to disrupt others since it's probably going to be loud and no one will be expected to sit still like at a symphony concert. Just keep in mind that you can only control your behavior, not that of the other people - does this artist draw a rowdy crowd that is likely to exhibit bad behavior? I don't know if I helped you answer your question, but this at least gives you some things to consider before making your decision. Good luck - it might be something you would enjoy more as a date night - but it could also be a fun family night too.

What are the chances that she will:
-behave the entire time
-not get really cranky and irritable due to being up really late
-be able to sit still and not run around for the entire concert

If you can go 3 for 3 on all of these, then by all means bring her. Personally I think that is a lot to ask of a 3 year old. Also, and this is going to sound harsh, you should also think about the other people who have paid money to attend this event and are looking forward to a pleasant evening. Chances are they'd like to enjoy the "grown up" concert.

If I had a 3 year old, I'd get a babysitter.

Honestly, my gut says to skip the concert ... you can't control who is sitting around you, what they may be doing or saying, etc. Plus, i'm sure shell be really cranky if she stays up until 11 or so :) She won't know that she's missing out on anything. It's really sweet that Dad wants to take her though. What a great Daddy!

I wouldn't personally because it's a little late. My son would fall asleep on the way there, and end up crabby the whole time even if he liked the artist and ruin the night out (with such expensive tickets!). I would leave the child at home, enjoy the night off and take her when she is older. You could buy her a t-shirt or something special for her while your at the concert.

If it's an outdoor concert I say take her you can always sit in the lawn and not worry too much about the loudness. When my two were 2 and 4 my husband and I took them to the Warp tour and they had a blast!!!! We had a concert worker come over and give us the sponge ear plugs to put in my daughters ears but she wouldn't leave them in!!

I probably would not take my children to an indoor concert because I would be concerned about the noise being to much for them.

Good luck with your decision I hope this helps a little.

Here is a great link about deicbel levels. http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy99/phy99405.htm
After reading the chart listing a rock concert at 110 decibels, I would not take my child to a rock concert where the decibels levels were that high for 2 to 3 hours. If you are still unsure, talk to your pediatrican. You and your husband should just go. Enjoy your time together!!! Have fun!
L.

I would personally bring her. I have three daughters and we have brought them to many concerts. We just traveled to Chicago for Lollapalooza with our 18 month old, but also brought a babysitter. The only thing to be concerned about is if it is an indoor concert, it might be too loud for little ears. I have done it, but put cotton in my child's ears. I have gotten rude comments like "Your baby is going to be deaf", but I just ignore them and do what I want. My kids all love music.

I would say not. It seems from what I've heard there tends be drinking, and smoking of who knows what at some of these concerts. I think three is a litte young to be exposing so much of that, not to mention what the noise could do to her very sensitive ears! Get a sitter and have a fun date night!

I read an article in the paper just last week about children and concerts. The article says that the sound system is just too loud for children and in one case a child lost hearing in one ear. I would suggest finding a sitter and just the two of you going. You would have much more fun (taking a 3 year old to a concert would be no fun for you or quite possibly the person sitting next to you.) Let her sitter play the music at home and maybe they could have their own "concert" without the damaging sound.

I personally wouldn't do it. I know she may love the music, but the nighttime concert really isn't the place for her to be. I would wait until she is older and enjoy the evening out with your husband :) not only would it be way too loud for her, but the atmosphere would not be appropriate. She probably will feel overwhelmed with all the people and darkness and noise. Honestly, do concerts like that even allow toddlers?? not to sound mean, but I think I would be personally concerned if I was at an adult weekend concert and saw a very young child there.

Why not get a sitter and make that a date night ith ur hasband? I think it would be fun for the two of u to get out with no worries or a night and having some alone time together. I also think taking a toddler with you u may be more worried about watchng her then u would enjoy the concert ur self. But if it were me...I'd makeit a date time to catch up with just ur husband an u.

I think you would have more fun if you didn't take her. She would be really bored.I can't see a 3 year old sitting still for 2-3 hours.

My husband's cousin and his wife took their 3 year old to The 'Stones' concert one time when the band came to Boston. It was in a sports stadium, which was a little bit easier than a theatre or indoor arena type place.
Your show is on a weekend...at least not a school / work night. I personally wouldn't judge you badly or think wrong of taking a little kid to a pop concert. She's not an infant. You know your kid best. If you think she'd get some appreciation out of it and behave enough that you could have fun too, then show her the opportunity! I took my kid as a 2nd grader to Elton John one time...She adored the Lion King songs! My other daughter was 5 when N-Sync came to town! Both those shows were squeeky clean as far as language goes and no pot smoking to worry about. You know her best, so take her to whatever you think you are comfortable with. Who are you seeing? Have fun! P.

I would say to leave her at home as well. You can never tell who will be around you. My husband and I went to a Harry Connick Jr. concert about 5 years ago and a guy in the row behind us threatened and tried to start a fight with my husband because I had VERY nicely asked them to not talk so much since we came to hear the concert (not them. .you know?) The guy had been drinking and even went to the extent of standing at the end of the main aisle for us to come out to start something a second time. I say enjoy your evening out alone and buy her the CD to listen to in the car and at home :)
Have fun whatever you decide-