What do Ren kids learn?

[cowgrrl]

As I sent my children off to run around Faire today, I started thinking about the benefits of this environment on them. So of course I had to start a topic. Plead note that I am speaking of all Faire kids, be they playtrons kids, vendor kids, Rennies kids or other kids not mentioned. Any kid who has a more than once a season connection to Faire.

So, What Do Ren Kids Learn?

-How to deal with stuff on their own. I have on occasion received odd stares from people as I've sent my kids out to explore, sans parental units. I'm always tempted to tell these people that my kids have been coming to this exact Faire for over half their lives & they probably know their way around better & can get help faster than you (the day person) can.  They set their schedules, keep themselves hydrated & fed and make sure to keep in rough contact. I'm glad they have this safe area where they can explore.

-Ren kids learn that if you don't work, you don't get money. This speaks more to vendors/entertainers kids but it popped in my head the other day as I was talking to a vendor who has a teen. I'm sure these kids figure out pretty early on that if the parent or parents don't make the wares or do their shows, said parents don't get paid. More kids could use a better understanding of this.

OK, your turn.

[Meagan]

That it is okay to use your imagination. Life doesn't have to be based on being "cool." Sometimes it is okay to let go of the day to day and have fun, even if it is unconventional.

Differences are okay, interesting even, not scary.

[The Rabbi]

From the flip side
They learn respect and understanding: In general most ren kids understand the concept of manners that respect is earned not given and when given it is most often returned. They are more apt to accept that someone different ie. the child with a disability or even different colored skin. I say this in a positive way they learn that the human body is just that it is we who either pervert it or accept it. {there is always high values of modesty but I have been in situations where a place to change was a place to change and was unisexed and in use by both and while I enjoy an attractive lady it is always better to see them seductively or classily dressed first as to be butt arsed naked in a rush to change} They learn life is what we make it and no matter what there is always going to be an arse or two you just have to deal with. Ren Kids learn to be AWESOME!

[Dinobabe]

This is a from within my family perspective. 

My uncle and aunt refused to let my cousin come to faire.  They were worried about the influence that "other" cultures would have on her.  They wanted her to grow up Christian and conservative.  My mom and I spent a LOT of time at faire with grandma and grandpa.  Mom never worried about how interaction with the people affected me because she taught me our family and Christian values but also to accept others.   My cousin (same age) eventually quite going to church, moved in with her deadbeat boyfriend, and lost any real connection with the family.  I have stayed at the church and married a wonderful man (that did not grow up in the church) and brought him to God (and brought him to faire!).

I think the point of this is to say that when we allow our children to experience the world they are able to grow as a complete person.  Faire was one part of that for me.  I have maintained my family values while also learning about other perspectives, finding new and interesting friends, partaking in wonderful activities that you only find at faire, and growing in my world perspective that there are all kinds of people out there and you should never judge them based on a culture, especially one you know nothing about.

[Rowan MacD]

This is a from within my family perspective. 

My uncle and aunt refused to let my cousin come to faire.  They were worried about the influence that "other" cultures would have on her.  They wanted her to grow up Christian and conservative.  My mom and I spent a LOT of time at faire with grandma and grandpa.  Mom never worried about how interaction with the people affected me because she taught me our family and Christian values but also to accept others....
I think the point of this is to say that when we allow our children to experience the world they are able to grow as a complete person.  Faire was one part of that for me.  I have maintained my family values while also learning about other perspectives, finding new and interesting friends, partaking in wonderful activities that you only find at faire, and growing in my world perspective that there are all kinds of people out there and you should never judge them based on a culture, especially one you know nothing about.

Thanks Dinobabe-My neice and nephew in law are of the 'Born again Christian fundamentalist/homeschooling-to-make-sure-their-kids-don't-interact-with-undesirables'  kind of people.
    I wish they could read your post, but they wouldn't dream of visiting this site or any other out of fear that they or their children might become contaminated by 'pagans'.   
   Not that they have ever experienced any harm at the hands of anyone not of their faith; they just shun anything that does not agree with what they think their kids should know.  It is mind control in the first degree. 
    The sad thing is that these 'kids' will grow up.  They will come in contact with other religions and other cultures in their adult life, and they will only be armed with the  prejudices and misinformation that their parents have instilled in them.   
 

[PollyPoPo]

In order to be clear who I am referring to, I will use the terms customer and workers instead of euphemisms like paytron, playtron, cast, rennie, etc.

In general the children learn to behave in the same manner as their adults.  If the parents are respectful, the kids are, too.  If the adults are snots, the kids are just little versions.

Even at small faires, most customer kids seem to hang with family; as they get into their early teens, probably because that's where the money is as much as safety. 

As customers our children are given a pouch and required to have it with them to carry money from the time they are 6 or 7.  They are given an amount of money at start of the day and have to learn how to spend their own money.  If they want, they hang around adults and "might" get a share of food, but any purchases, games, etc., is on them.  Every single one of them bought a big item at the start of the first day, the first time they have money.  That's when they learn about carrying their own stuff.  After that nobody ever bought a wooden sword, shield or candle until on their way out of faire.  As they get older they learn that many shops will hold items til the end of day so customers can pick them up on the way out.

As customers ourselves, by the time kids are 11 or 12, at Sherwood, a small faire that they are familiar with, we turn ours loose in pairs or threesomes, with a shared cell phone, paper with contact information, location to meet up if they get separated, and dire threats if they break any of the rules (safety first, never separate, be on time for rendezvous, etc.).    The girls got specific information on how molesters work in crowds – that stuff about touching in private places is too general.  The girls had no real idea that strange men might reach around or under a girl to grab and what they might grab.  The boys seem to be more cognizant of molester tactics.  I don't know where they learned, but I believe they got more info in gym class from coaches and the like.

When our kids are old enough to be angry (or worried)  about the adults for being late to a rendezvous we let them go on their own at TRF.    (In general my personal rule is if they are taller than me, it's up to them to keep track of and find me from then on .)

As for workers' kids, I've seen all types from the very respectful ones who understand about customers and who work in family booths to those who heckle performers while on-stage and make rude comments to customers, particularly to children when they think no one is listening.  I have seen them go up to people and other children and flat out ask for money – not tipping, mind you, just demanding money.  Again, they are simply learning from their adults.  If they are praised for scamming or short changing someone, that is what they learn to do.

[Aderin]

haven't had kids yet, but I hope they are renny kids! Season passes for sure!

[HisSouthernBelle]

I myself was a renn kid and it really shaped my personality. I learned to never be afraid to be who I am, that the mundanes might find my childhood weird, but most of them are just jealous that I got to cling to fairy tails so much longer than them. I also learned about the good and the dark sides of human nature. I was surrounded by wonderful people all the time, and I got to grow up in that magic, but ny the same token, I also developed early and recieved unwanted attention early. I learned how to say no firmly, and how to be aware of my surroundings, and to trust my gut. Growing up as a renn kid made me strong, and it made me believe anything was possible.  It was the best part of my childhood ?