[MR] bringing a baby to pennsic

[M. Minx]

If I might present yet another opinion (which disagrees with the gentle
woman from before) ...

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.

Best wishes.  In service, I remain....

Lady Mym the Minx
Mentor Chirurgeon & all around good Wench
Lusty Wench Tavern


On Mon, Jun 9, 2008 at 7:17 PM, Crystal Lopez <crystallopez1975 at yahoo.com>
wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone could give me a little advice on bringing a
> 8month old to pennsic.  Actually two but the advice would be the same for
> one as it would be for two.  They are eight months old and are still bottle
> feeding and are just starting to crawl around.  Any advice would be
> welcome.  Please email me outside of the tavern at
> crystallopez1975 at yahoo.com.
> Thanks
> Lady Katerina deKelly
>
>
>
> ========================================================================
>                   The Merry Rose Tavern at Cheapside
>    List Info: http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
>  Submissions: Atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> Subscriptions: http://seahorse.atlantia.sca.org/mailman/listinfo/atlantia
>