Safety of Children

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

We had one our younglings go MIA on us during AHE (Sunday morning)... as the word spread, you had 10 men fall into a military search pattern and canvas camp in less than 30 seconds.  The helpful little booger was one row of tents over, helping another McLot member break camp.  You can't take any chances, these days, with creeps & freaks coming out of the woodwork.

The Order of Culloden Moor has many purposes but the safety of women & children are paramount to us.

[Rani Zemirah]

My daughter is 8, and our first visit to TRF was during All Hallows Weekend, with all the craziness that entails.  Inside the gates she was occasionally allowed to get up to 30 feet away to go look at one particular center lane kiosk (Ananda, with all the crystals), as long as she stayed on the sides that I could see easily, and to play with the Crystal Styks in the open grassy area, also where I could see her. Restroom visits were always supervised, walking was always side-by-side, and she was never allowed to run ahead or lag behind more than 10-15 feet.  Closing gate was hand-in-hand, because of the throngs of people and the lack of lighting.  In patrons camping we always went to the privy together, and waited for each other before walking back into camp (which was right behind them).  Even at 8, she's never allowed out of eye sight or ear shot, and she knows to make sure I can see her.  I can't imagine that changing even when she's 10, or 12... possibly not even at 14, although the leash might get a tiny bit longer.  I can't imagine sending her off somewhere I couldn't even see her... I'd lose my mind with worry!  What sort of parent does it take to allow a baby of only 5 years old to wander around by herself?!?  

[Brother Octavius]

Always react, it's horrific cases when people say, why did no one do anything.

[cowgrrl]

I have to add to the chorus that you did absolutely nothing wrong.  My kiddos are older than the little girl in question (9 & 12) & we've just started, within the past year, giving them a bit of freedom at Scarby and Middlefaire.  However, Middlefaire is very small & we can almost see them from any point on the grounds.  At Scarby, we're friends of the faire so they can go to one of those areas for help, they know the grounds like the back of their hands & we have several friends who are playtrons & on cast who they can go to if they need help. 

TRF, IMO, is a horse of a completely different color.  Its huge and we only visit it once a year.  Therefore, the kids are with us. 

Too many parents are too 'lazy' about watching their kids.  I'm not saying you need to be on them 24/7 when they're 15YO but at 5 they need to be either in your sight or with a trusted adult or older teen of your choosing. 

[AnnMarie B]

I too agree that children should be supervised at all times.  However, I had an experience this weekend that reminded me how thankful I am for rennie friends.  We have 5 kids ages 2,4,6,8,and 10.  They are never allowed to go anywhere alone, and if they go somewhere out of arms reach, even where I can still see them, they have to be with one of the oldest ones. My almost 11-year-old likes to get pretzels "by himself" while I am standing nearby. Yesterday, I was watching a friend's children while he went to get something, and my pretzel-purchasing child got out of my sight. I couldn't leave all the kids at the show until the friend got back, but I got really stressed and was very worried.  The friend returned quickly, and as I was rushing off to find my son, my phone rang. I have instructed the big two that if we get separated, they are to immediately go to one of the stages where their dad performs, and someone will get one of us.  He was on his way to the stage when one of our rennie friends saw him and stopped him.  He called me and brought my son over to where we were.  The whole thing happened so fast, but everything went just like it should.  My son remembered what to do if he felt lost, and our friends were watching out for him. I know that this world is a dangerous place, and unfortunately, faire is no exception.  However, good friends make life much safer and more comfortable.