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Children and Re-Enactment

© Megan McConnell

More and more, re-enactors are becoming parents, and their children are attending events with them. This brings about a whole new set of problems for organisers of events - and for the children too.

All too often, non-childrened re-enactors complain about children being left alone to run around with no parental support whilst the parents are enjoying their hobby. And all to often, the parents are allowing this to happen.

What tends to happen is that parents forget that this is their hobby - not their children's (at least not yet) and that the children may (and probably are) bored by what is happening. Let's face it: how many re-enactment events are specifically designed with children's activities in mind?

Some groups try to compensate and to allow for children by organising a special area for children - and they expect the parents to take turns to look after the children there. This generally works - if there is somebody to organise it all and if there is something for the children to do. More often than not, it falls in to the "somebody else's problem" category.

So - what can we - as re-enactors and event organisers do to welcome children to our events (always remembering that these are future full members of the group).

Firstly - as parents.

As parents we must ensure that we remain responsible for our children. This may cause some inconvenience to parents - but it is one of the downsides to being a parent. You should ensure that you have something that the children can amuse themselves with and that will not spoil the look of the event. If you know that you child does not enjoy your events, then perhaps you should look at having the child stay with relatives or get a sitter.

Secondly - as event organisers.

Event organisers must always recognise that there will be children at events, and must cater for this.

This can mean ensuring that you have on hand some activity that children can do. Often this can be as easy as coloured pencils and paper, or how about some simple wooden spinning tops. We should also be on the lookout for children getting into dangerous situations and be ready to take action.

Thirdly - as re-enactors attending the event

Maintain vigilance. If you see a child about to go into danger, move to head it off. Take time to actually talk to children - they are fascinated by what we do - especially the more unusual crafts that re-enactors tend to practice. I know that whenever I am doing a fairly elaborate piece of embroidery, I will have a number of children around asking what it is and how I do it. I tend to carry round with me a piece of calico and needle and thread so that they can 'have a go' - but mostly they want to watch and ask questions: and get real answers to their questions.