children on adult's shoulder for fireworks

[flippyshark]

Back when I used to work the Sorcery In The Sky fireworks at the Disney-MGM Studios, I sometimes had guests ask me to talk to other guests who had children on their shoulders, never an easy task. My approach, if it seemed like it would really be a problem, was to suggest that parents hold the children beside them, like a bag of groceries. My tag line was "If your kids eyes are level with your own, your kid can see just as well as you can." I'd say this suggestion was gladly accepted a little less than half the time. I tried to make this a general announcement to large groups of people, rather than targeting just a specific family. Sometimes, this at least sparked awareness or got guests to work things out amongst themselves.

Approaching just one particular dad with kid is almost certainly doomed to failure, because the parent is likely to feel singled out. (Because that is the case.) Such a person will almsot always point out that lots of others are doing it, so why don't I go talk to them.

My experience is that wherever big crowds of people gather to watch something, that is just the way of things. That's why I watch parades and fireworks from a distance. (Well, that and I just despise being in the middle of a crowd.)

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by flippyshark

My approach, if it seemed like it would really be a problem, was to suggest that parents hold the children beside them, like a bag of groceries.

Here's the problem with that: kids can be freakin' heavy! I was at the park Sunday night with some freinds and their children (6, 4, and 7 months). The four-year-old is a moose: he weighs 60 pounds already!!! (And he isn't fat at all: he is SOLID.) While not officially, Susan and I are Aunt and Uncle to these kids, so the father and I took turns trying to hold the kids up on our sides. But at 60 pounds, there was no way I could hold that dead weight for very long (I am scared when he grows up: he is big AND smart ).

However, I would never had put these kids on my shoulder. But that is my personal choice. I would not begrudge someone putting their kid on their shoulders right in front of me. Granted, I wouldn't be real thrilled about it, but I would rather a child be happy. I can shift or make other adjustments.

Conversely, I always check behind me to see if there are small children who might not be able to see. I will move or squat or something to make sure they see.