Is it possible...

[switch842]

...to bring your child to a convention and not be "one of those people" who use said child for attention?

Here's the thing...

There's a discussion going on over at Gateworld in the Convention Etiquetee thread (go to the last page) about this couple who has been brining their child to convention for the last several years (if you've been to any cons, you probably know who they are) and them using said child to get attention, the child being disruptive, etc.

As many of you know, I was planning on bringing Gabe to the SG convention in August. Mostly because y'all want to meet him and I would like you to. The other thing is, hubby will most likely be out of town that weekend, too. So, I kind of have to bring him along. I mean, my parents are in town and could watch him if need be, but I don't know if I would be ready to leave him for a whole weekend by that point. Especially since I'm not really going out of town or whatever.

So, I want to bring him, but I don't want to be perceived as using him for attention from anyone. I have an aisle seat so I can quickly escape if he gets fussy, etc. But the other thing is, often times babies just naturally generate attention, whether you actively seek it out or not.

I don't know where I'm going with this. I just, ya know, don't want to get a bad rep, I guess....

Comments

[suebsg9.livejournal.com]

As someone who has known you since the chicago con started you wouldn't need gabe to get you a fun photo op if that is also what you are talking about because you seem to have unique ideas all on your own. I am excited over seeing the newest addition to your family and hey we get to meet the your husband extra bonus. So I wouldn't worry if I were you; I think you will find a lot of friends support your descision. But just hope that the little guy doesn't catch anything like a cold or such over the weekend. Otherwise can't wait to meet everyone in your happy family :)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Not just photo ops specifically. But more just the general attitude of people towards kids/babies at events like this.

My hubby is a little nervous about the whole con crud thing and how that might affect our little man. *fingers crossed* he stays healthy. Do they make vitamins for babies?

[djfavorite.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is vitamins for babies. They come in a liquid form.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Oo! Thanks! I think I'll have to get some for the con. :-)

[suebsg9.livejournal.com]

Nice pic of Neal and Peter in the car; and you are fine and I wouldn't worry; trust your friends you will be good. And ask your doc if there is anything baby can take :) And tell him we are all thrilled to meet him and we will behave :)

[gateruner.livejournal.com]

I don't see it as a problem at all. The only thing I can think of as being disruptive or offending is not so much a Con thing at all as it is just a general statement about kids. When they get fussy, get up and leave the auditorium. Particularly if there is speaking going on.

But I know I'd love the chance to meet Gabe! Although I don't know if will have the chance to make it this year. I'm going to have to wait and see if I can luck up on one of the ebay tickets.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

I hope you can make it! It would be so great to get to hang with you. :-)

I do think there is a certain ages when kids/infants need to be left at home. 6 months? I think is still OK. But once they get to the talking/randomly running around stage, that's when they need to stay home. I think, anyway...

[gateruner.livejournal.com]

I really do hope I can make it! :)

I think you will be fine with Gabe. I think it could be a good experience for you and him. And besides that, you are not taking him with the intentions that some other parents seem to have.

After some of the stories I've read, I think I would die if Carter acted like that!

[djfavorite.livejournal.com]

I don't think you should have anything to worry about. It more the parents like being discussed in the GW thread. As long as you don't act like them, you should be fine. :-)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Gotcha. I will be doing my damndest not to turn into them. I mean, in general they seem like very nice people. Just certain situations could be handled better, I think.

[lunachickk.livejournal.com]

Bring Gabe but make sure you slap a t-shirt on him that says, "MARTOUF"! :D

[switch842.livejournal.com]

:-P

I do have that onsie with the PoO on it. So he will be Stargate-ified for part of the weekend at least.

[angstbunny.livejournal.com]

I think reasonable people can always tell the difference between parents who are like LOOK AT MY CUTE BABY SO COME PAY ATTENTION TO MEEEEEEEEE versus parents who just have their kids tag along. There will always be people who will be unhappy with the presence of a child no matter what. Uh, to be frank, I'm a cf_hardcore person (I know, I know, we've got a really bad rep), and I know how militantly anti-child some people can be, but those people aren't your concern, because they won't be happy no matter what and they will bitch, but they're always a small, if noisy, contingent. As long as you're an attentive parent and not thrusting your child into people's faces, then you're totally fine. Like, back when I went to wrestling shows, there were always THOSE parents there, too, and they really will LITERALLY hoist their baby or their toddler into the wrestlers' faces in order to get attention for themselves. Those people stand out, and they're the ones who get bitched about. But I've also seen plenty of people who quietly escort their fussy child away from crowds, and they don't get remarked upon, because, well, they don't get noticed.

Wow, that was kinda tl;dr. Sorry.

But anyway, the fact that you THOUGHT about this shows that you're considerate, so I don't think you'll have a problem. :)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Not tl;dr. I get it. :-) Totally not planning on foisting little Gabe off to strangers. If anyone should offer, totally different story. Then, well, maybe...

[mackenziesmomma.livejournal.com]

I think there is a big difference in bringing an infant and bringing a toddler/older child along to the con.

Personally I think you should be fine as long as you are willing to get up and walk out (I saw these parents at the VanCon, and they didn't walk out when Jr started to act up.)

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes. That was the whole point of getting the aisle seat. I really, really don't want to annoy other people with my child. Other people paid for good seats to not be bothered by a screaming baby.

[mackenziesmomma.livejournal.com]

Yeah I wouldn't have any problem with that. Then again I also got into it on the same thread for leaving my young child (who WOULD have been a disruption) home yet leaving my cell phone on so I could be reached in case of emergency. So I really think there is no winning with the people on that thread.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

I saw that. Yes, phones can be disruptive, but put it on silent and it's not a problem. I've never heard or been anywhere that cell phones interfered with the microphones. If they do, then the mikes must be very, very cheap. I'm with you. I mean, expecting someone at the front desk to come find some random person in a crowd of 500 or more?? In this day and age, completely ridiculous.

[mackenziesmomma.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's what I think as well. I mean come on when a Con is in the hotel its just totally and wholly unreasonable to expect a hotel staff to be able to find a guest amongst the hundreds of Con Goers is insane (especially if the one they are trying to reach is not a registered guest of the hotel)

[daniel-shadow.livejournal.com]

Babe you are a wonderful mum!! If I was going to Chicon for SG or SPN I would like to meet Gabriel. You are level headed and very considerate and not selfish so I know you and Gabriel will be very well loved at the con. Trust me your friends will be protective of you too. See if I am going and I find out anyone giving you a a hadr time they will have to go through me first and no doubt your friends will feel the same.

Hey I will try and get on the chat today. TTYL.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

LOL Oh, I wish you could come. :-( I miss you!!! One day we shall con together again!

[erin-anderson.livejournal.com]

And if you really want to stay to see the entire session with a certain actor you can foist the baby off on me ;-). Also I assume we'll be sharing a hotel room again unless you're driving back and forth and I won't mind having a baby in the room.

BTW I thought you weren't sure about attending the con this year? Did you buy a preferred or a gold seat?

[switch842.livejournal.com]

If you don't mind sharing a room with a baby, that's all good. :-) Let's hope he's still sleeping through the night at that point.

I wasn't 100% sure and then they announced TEH HEWLETT!!!! So, Nikki and I got Gold. C1 and 2. Aisle seat for me so getting up and down and in and out is easier. I'm thinking this could possibly be my last year. I think I've seen everyone by now. So, unless they somehow manage to get RDA down here, this may be it...

[erin-anderson.livejournal.com]

Yes they do have TEH HEWLETT. I'm gonna have to see if I can get together the funds for a gold pass...I think it maybe doable or I may just get preferred and any extras you go to I can watch the baby if you need a night off. I'm totally okay with sleeping with your little man, I'm sure he'll still be sleeping through the night unless he's teething or something. Which is possible...some kids are born with teeth.

[switch842.livejournal.com]

Well, I hope you're able to make it in some manner. It just won't be a con without you. ((HUGS))