children on adult's shoulder for fireworks

[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.