I’m living in London this spring with my husband and 2 kids, and trying to arrange to do some horsey activities while we are here (through late May). I think I can sell my husband on the idea of going to Badminton/staying in Bath, but wondered if it is totally ridiculous to take a four year old and a baby to Badminton. I don’t really have any other options, so it is bring the kids or not go. And I would really like to go! Is it insane to take them? (They are pretty civilized as far as children go, usually!). Any planning advice?
[QUOTE=fordtraktor;7400839]
I’m living in London this spring with my husband and 2 kids, and trying to arrange to do some horsey activities while we are here (through late May). I think I can sell my husband on the idea of going to Badminton/staying in Bath, but wondered if it is totally ridiculous to take a four year old and a baby to Badminton. I don’t really have any other options, so it is bring the kids or not go. And I would really like to go! Is it insane to take them? (They are pretty civilized as far as children go, usually!). Any planning advice?[/QUOTE]
YES!!! It is insane. They do have a creche. The very fact that there is just so much walking and if you have one in a pram, it is going to be very tough…especially if it is muddy. I think they will spoil your enjoyment of the day, or at the very least, limit what you can do. It really is not the place for children that age. Just my opinion.
The baby will be easy (backpack or carrier). For the 4 yo, take an umbrella stroller, rain gear, lots of snacks. I think you can do it!! The thing I learned taking my kids was not to set expectations too high. If you go without major mishaps, that’s a win. Don’t expect this wonderful mesmerizing day until they are older. Kids are part of your lives, don’t listen to those people who don’t understand that.
When my kids were young I dragged them all over the world. However, I do think you need to analyze what YOU want to get out of the day.
The kids won’t care or remember the experience as they are too young. I see no issue about toting the baby around as long as you can keep him/her warm, dry and fed (and as someone previously pointed not in a stroller as maneuvering will be too difficult). A lot of this depends on you being honest with yourself about your children’s temperaments and what they can realistically handle in a given day. Can your 4 year old stand for hours at a time in the freezing cold, rain, pee in the grass if there is no nearby potty, etc?
If I was going and really wanted to enjoy the days I would save some pennies and hire a babysitter. They could either stay back with the kids at the hotel/B&B or if you are uncomfortable with that have them come with you with the understanding that it is their job to keep the 4 year old entertained while YOU enjoy your time.
If you think you can enjoy yourself and keep your expectations in line about what you can really see and do with both kids in tow and no help, then completely agree with pheasantknoll. Just go for it.
Have you been to Rolex? I don’t have children, but I’ve been to Badminton and Rolex and there are a LOT more people at Badminton. Just FYI
[QUOTE=pheasantknoll;740093 Kids are part of your lives, don’t listen to those people who don’t understand that.[/QUOTE]
I have been to Badminton more times than you have had hot dinners. It has nothing to do with not understanding. Many of my friends REGRETTED taking their young children. I do not see many young children year in and year out…and for very good reason. It is an exhausting experience for the parents and the children. Tired children in that environment is a lose-lose for all concerned. As I said, it was my opinion…and experience. So there:p
Badminton is insanely crowded, the weather is unpredictable and the XC day is long. People do take children and dogs and elderly relatives and friends with no interest in horses but the British are very persistent in their pursuit of sport. If this is a one-off opportunity, the idea of hiring a babysitter is probably a good one. Tramping around between fences with 150,000 other people is remarkably tiring.
[QUOTE=Willesdon;7401067]
Badminton is insanely crowded, the weather is unpredictable and the XC day is long. People do take children and dogs and elderly relatives and friends with no interest in horses but the British are very persistent in their pursuit of sport. If this is a one-off opportunity, the idea of hiring a babysitter is probably a good one. Tramping around between fences with 150,000 other people is remarkably tiring.[/QUOTE]
:yes:
Which days? The whole weekend? You can probably bring them for some of the dressage days but you will not likely be able to watch that much…but the trade fair will be a bit easier to see then I would think. So if you planned to just go for a little and then do other things…that would be possible.
On xc day…I would think it may be too much unless you are ok not seeing much of the course and not being there all day…in which case you will spend most of your time getting in and getting out. Probably better to watch on TV.
Me…I’d go for the whole weekend and hire a baby sitter xc and SJ day. But I’ve never been. We did have two little ones (todlers) with our group at Burghley. But one belonged to the rider. That wasn’t too bad but husbands had primary kid duty (and there were a bunch of us who could help) and stayed parked in a less crowded area. Rider’s husband didn’t see much—but I think he was just fine with that (and the distraction). Plus I don’t think Burghley gets anywhere near the crowds (and we lucked out on mostly decent weather (it was pretty muddy and a bit cold for part of it).
DON’T SKIP BADMINTON BECAUSE OF THE KIDS! Hire a nanny for the weekend, use the creche, backpack and/or jogging stroller. Of course it’s a zoo. Badminton is always a zoo on XC day. But…it’s Badminton. We always go the day before dressage. The trade fairs deals are great before the crowds hit (our friends that we stay with always aim us to the stands with the best deals–insiders know), watch the jog and you can walk the entire XC without the massive crowds on XC day. Dressage days are up to you: my friend & I watch every minute of every ride & wear the headphones so we don’t miss anything. My husband & other friends watch a few rides, visit Bath or those cute nearby villages, hit a pub, etc. But you’ll have a sitter, right? And SJ day is great fun, you can spy on warmup, stroll around the XC w/o the crowds, etc. Badminton is our favorite of all the big events, partly because there’s good stuff for other folks to do as well.
Thanks to all for the perspectives. I would definitely rather go without kids, and am strongly considering arranging child care…but if it comes down to going vs. not going, I think I would rather at least try. I may never get the chance again.
I want to go for at least the XC and SJ…I am happy watching horses do anything but not sure the husband would enjoy dressage. In fact, pretty sure that two days of dressage spectating would be the best way to ensure I set him up to hate the whole endeavor. :lol: but I do believe he will be impressed with the XC! And Badminton itself, of course.
You should probably get your tickets now. The Membership tickets were worth it at Burghley (more and easier porta potties!). So was the premium parking…not sure about at Badminton. But I do know tickets get sold out fairly fast…so best to book asap.
If it’s take the kids or don’t go, I would definitely go for it. You do have to be ready for a lot of walking so a backpack for the baby and an all-terrain stroller for the older kid would be your friends. Bring plenty of snacks and plan your walking carefully so that you don’t find yourself persuading a hungry, grouchy, melting child to walk a mile to the nearest food stand. It’s just like anything else: you may have to take breaks and you may not be able to stay all day.
What about negotiating with the husband so that he watches the kids on sj and xc day?
[QUOTE=poltroon;7401997]
If it’s take the kids or don’t go, I would definitely go for it. You do have to be ready for a lot of walking so a backpack for the baby and an all-terrain stroller for the older kid would be your friends. Bring plenty of snacks and plan your walking carefully so that you don’t find yourself persuading a hungry, grouchy, melting child to walk a mile to the nearest food stand. It’s just like anything else: you may have to take breaks and you may not be able to stay all day.[/QUOTE]
Spoken like a true parent :lol:
Definitely go if it’s kids or nothing, but it would be my last choice. I mean, no offense to the kids, but you’d hate to spend your day planning for the next potty emergency and missing out on what you went to see.
[QUOTE=ACMEeventing;7402166]
Spoken like a true parent :lol:
Definitely go if it’s kids or nothing, but it would be my last choice. I mean, no offense to the kids, but you’d hate to spend your day planning for the next potty emergency and missing out on what you went to see.[/QUOTE]
:lol:
Your mileage may vary, but often… arranging for a sitter is more stressful and does not actually end up giving you more freedom in the end. If you can leave them with a trusted relative that knows them or go alone and leave them with DH it’s pretty easy, but finding a sitter for two little kids in a strange city is above my skill level (and probably my bank account). It kind of all depends!
Sounds like OP will be living in London for awhile rather than just a couple weeks, so finding a nanny for the event & bringing her with, would be my 1st choice (OK not really my 1st choice but given that the kids must come, an extra pair of hands - belonging to a favorite nanny - would definitely make life go smoother).
Of course the “nanny” could be any family friend.
What are DH’s expectations - is he good at taking charge of the kids or will that be on you?
If DH is not really that horsie, arrange for accommodations that he’ll be happy to spend the afternoon at with the kids - while you stay on at Badminton.
Of course the first choice would be to leave the children at home, but my children have been there, done that, and have not ended up at all worse the wear; I say go for it.
I took both of mine to one of the Olympic eventing trials in NJ when they were wee tiny, and I’ve been to Badminton, so have some experience at bits and pieces of what you’d be attempting. I’d skip dressage and stadium, because I think cooping the kids up in the stadium is sure to result in a meltdown.
I think the key is, as others have pointed out, proper planning. Prams are great, but NO UMBRELLA STROLLERS, for the love of all that is holy. Can you manage a proper cross-country pram? Huge wheels, decent clearance, that sort of thing? And if each child can be in a separate one, that each parent pushes, that would be nice.
On cross country, of course it will be crowded, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any room for you. You won’t be able to stand at the major fences, but there are a lot of fences on the course, so you should be able to find a spot where you can see some of the action.
Of course there will be no potty emergencies with the children, because they can always drop trou; they are children, they can pee anywhere. Make sure you pack huge quantities of food and water, sunscreen (I got burned the year I went), and an umbrella and go.
Good luck!
On cross country, of course it will be crowded, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any room for you. You won’t be able to stand at the major fences, but there are a lot of fences on the course, so you should be able to find a spot where you can see some of the action
Umm. No, actually. It is necessary to wait for two horses past before you are close enough to see ANY fence. One reason I dislike Badminton.
It is necessary to wait for two horses past before you are close enough to see ANY fence
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