Do one thing that scares you (slightly) every day

[make_your_move]

This morning I caught a thread on the Merry Rose (the email tavern for the Kingdom of Atlantia) on someone asking practical ideas for bringing her 8 month old (twins I think) to Pennsic. The responses ranged all over, including one that basically said "don't bother, it's too much work" ... so I thought I'd chime in with some thoughts - because I've basically raised my 4 girls in the SCA and short of a few events that I elected to miss - we go do things as a family. Anyway, here's my response this morning that prompted me to make it a class



I have raised 4 girls in the SCA - they are currently 17, 10, 8 &
7. You can do Pennsic safely and efficiently with children, but it
will significantly alter your experiences as you will be more focused
on childcare than just about anything else. In addition, since you are
bringing 2 children under the age of a year, I would think seriously
about length of your stay depending on the weather, particularly if it
is hot. That being said, these are things that I think you might
consider ...

*Please
bring another adult with you to help with childcare. Two parent
(particularly with 2 kids) is almost a requirement. If you can afford
to bring another adult (like a nanny) that would be even better, or
perhaps you can ask someone you camp with. That way you always can get
a little break, and I find that invaluable, not only for your health,
but for your sanity.

*Get enough sleep - which probably means not too many late nights
during your stay. If you and your partner alternate who gets to sleep
in the following morning (easier for you because the babies take
bottles) then that person also gets to stay up a little later the night
before. My husband and I have alternated nights/mornings for years,
for just this purpose - so that we get to feel like adults too and not
just parents

*Lots of clothing that can be layered. Cottons, linens and some fleece
for the cold nights. Also, when it comes to keeping babies warm or
cool, I will always opt for mundane conveniences (like sleepers with
footies for nights) that are in the best interest of my kids. For
daytimes I put a onesie on them in the mornings and covered it with a
tabard - TA DA! Instant medieval baby clothes.

*Hat, or cloth or something to cover there head. If you can't get them
to wear something on their head, bring a parasol since you'll be with
them almost all the time anyway.
*Hydrate,
hydrate, hydrate - both yourself and the kids. Stay in the shade on
hot days. How do you know if they're hydrated enough? Check their
diapers, are the wet? Do they smell strongly of urine? If they're not
getting a lot of wet diapers or they smell very strong, then they need
more fluid. Check with your pediatrician to see how much water/juice
you can add to their intake (because you won't be giving them formula
all the time.

*Also bring a small baby pool or tub that they can splash in. Even
temperate water will cool your core temperature. If you want it
colder, go to the cooper store and by some ice to add. The Coopers
have significantly improved their water system and you will *not* end
up with an rust colored baby from bathing them in the spigot water.
Promise.

*Bring some sort of netting to cover their port-a-crib with - it will
keep the bugs out. Also, I brought a plain black cloth for the
evenings to insulate them, and to keep it a little darker for them so
mine didn't wake at the crack of dawn. Your mileage may very.

*If they have a schedule try to stick to it as much as humanly
possible. Same breakfast, snack, nap, lunch, snack, nap and bedtimes
as possible. Both you and they will be happier for it. It may mean
that you spend a lot of afternoons in camp reading a book while they
nap (or catching a nap yourself) - but in general a well rested baby
(and parent), has a better time overall.

*Be willing to get in the car and take them into town (New Castle or
Butler) for a bit. They'll probably sleep in the car and you'll get a
chance to get into the air conditioning for a little while.
*Make
friends with other parents. If there are classes about kids, *go*. On
the 2nd week of Pennsic there is always stuff to do at Children's
Point, and on Wed of the 2nd week is the Atlantian Children's Fete,
which is always a lot of fun.

*Bring toys and things for them to do. Large wooden blocks and cloth
dolls are things medieval kids had and they're still around today.
That being said, if you in camp and they have a Fisher-Price toy they
love, bring it - in the long run, what makes *them* happy will make
*you* happy.


There are a few things that I can think of at the moment. Please
feel free to contact me if you'd like. I think I may teach this class
at Pennsic.



And with the encouragement of my clan ... I decided to make this a reality ...

I've signed up to teach a class at Pennsic this year "Modern Kids/Babies in the Current Middle Ages" with the lovely mellyflori giving me my class description:

How-tos on safety, garb, hydration, and keeping parents, babies, and kids sane and entertained at Pennsic and other SCA camping events.

So ... I'm interested to hear what other SCA/Renn/reenactors & like folk say about raising kids. All hints, tips and tricks are welcome!

Comments

[mellyflori.livejournal.com]

On a side note, how cute is your icon!!

I'm torn between wanting to snatch my baby up and kiss her until she squirms and just wanting to pinch your icon's cheeks!

And thank you for the tablet belt tip. The Benevolent Dictator will probably not be walking this year, at least not well enough to get herself through the marketplace, but it'll be great next year and at events between now and then. Amen to the babywearing thing, too. We're bringing a jogging stroller just because but I know my sling and mei-tei will get more use.

edited: To use my pinch-those-cheeks icon. :)