UPDATE: Am I completely crazy to take an 18 m/o to a Cirque du Soleil show?

[Kira's Mommy]

Just what I thought. The dumbest idea I've had in a while. Thanks ladies.

Many years ago, when I was young, single and fabulous and went to these shows I vaguely remember seeing parents with young children there. I could be wrong, I didn't pay close attention to these things back then... That's how this dumb idea came to mind in the first place. I googled it and found some reports of people taking 15 m/olds to these shows and "loving it". I found the reports surprizing at the very least and decided to check with you.

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Is it the dumbest idea you've ever heard?

I haven't taken her to any shows/sporting events yet. She does not watch TV at home.

She is very good in public, likes being around people, not easily scared, LOVES music, can focus her attention for a fairly long period of time when we read, play etc (not 90 minutes though, which is how long the show will be).

I know she'll love the music and the action for some time at least, but then...

Any BTDT?

Many TIAs!!!

[crl]

My ds would have been way too overwhelmed by Cirque de Soleil. Dd is bolder (and only 16 months) but I still wouldn't take her. I think it is just too much for a toddler.

Catherine

[TwinFoxes]

I think she will be scared. It is loud. There are sometimes explosions. And fire. It's confusing to adults. In one of the ones I saw in Vegas a man set himself on fire.

[pinkmomagain]

I definitely would not do it. Not sure how much an 18 mo would take in, but the shows are a bit quirky/creepy.

More importantly, I would want to be able to enjoy the show myself without worrying if my toddler is going to get noisy/cranky and disturb those around me.

[Beth24]

I don't see how you could really enjoy the show while worrying about your toddler which presumably you will be paying a lot to see...

[hellokitty]

I wouldn't do it. It's already a weird enough show for kids, I think that a toddler wouldn't enjoy it, and it would ruin the show for you, plus the tix are expensive, I think you'd be better off hiring a sitter.

[BabyBearsMom]

My 16 mo DD would not be able to handle it. She would either be terrified and freak out or decide it looked like fun and run as fast as she could toward the stage. Regadless, it would not be a good time for anyone. The last time I was at a CdS show, a mother and her baby (probably 9 or 10 months) were escorted out because the baby was crying. The mother was making quite a scene ("I paid good money for these tickets! Take your hands off of me! This is predjudice against parents! etc etc.").

[arivecchi]

I don't see how you could really enjoy the show while worrying about your toddler which presumably you will be paying a lot to see...:yeahthat:

[geochick]

I vote: Completely Crazy.

[Avispa]

Same here. The Cirque du Soleil shows are really meant for adults or much older kids (like 10 and up?)

[artvandalay]

No way. Sorry!

[rachelh]

Totally would not do it! DD is 16 months and while she is crazy enough to try try some stunts that they might do in Cirque Du Soleil herself, she would not be able to sit thru a show! And it will not be enjoyable for you. I cannot imagine bringing DD.

[BillK]

Am I completely crazy to take an 18 m/o to a Cirque du Soleil show?

Yes - yes you are. :)

[Canna]

I really do not think the shows are for kids at all. DH and I have seen one - I think I would have been really annoyed if there was someone with a baby seated near me, and you will be out a lot of money if you end up walking around the lobby with your baby rather than watching the show.

[sunnyside]

I would NOT do it. It is loud and scary and not for tiny kids or babies.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

No way no how would I even consider doing it. Wouldn't be enjoyable at all for either me or my 18mo.

Eta: and FTR i have done crazy things like take my 17mo and a 3mo to an airshow (2.5 hrs). I had earmuffs for both of them though, and them making noise, spilling food here and there or not staying perfectly still was not an issue at all bc it was outdoors and a very casual, family friendly event. Plus it was $5 a ticket. I imagine at a cirque show it would be impossible to keep a toddler still and quiet 90 mins.

[WolfpackMom]

I really do not think the shows are for kids at all. DH and I have seen one - I think I would have been really annoyed if there was someone with a baby seated near me, and you will be out a lot of money if you end up walking around the lobby with your baby rather than watching the show.

I totally agree, and hate to say it but if the people I was sitting by on my date night came in with a toddler I would be highly annoyed.

[artvandalay]

I totally agree, and hate to say it but if the people I was sitting by on my date night came in with a toddler I would be highly annoyed.
:yeahthat: This, too.

[BayGirl2]

I can't imagine a toddler sitting still and quiet for long enough, and they aren't likely to sleep through it at that age.

The two Cirque show's I've been to have cost like $100/ticket. I'd be annoyed if there was a loud kid nearby - and I'm all for parents taking their kids to restaurants if they are reasonably well behaved. I just consider that particular type of show to be an expensive adults-only kind of event.

I'm taking DS to his first show sometime soon - it will be the Winnie the Pooh movie. Only because I really like going to the movies and never get to, and I think this one may keep his attention, and I won't be too annoyed if I have to walk out mid-movie because he can't handle it.

[bisous]

I personally would not be annoyed with a kid sitting next to me. Other people's kids just don't bug me. But I wouldn't do it.

Too expensive. Potentially scary. 18 mos is the HARDEST age for sitting still for things and I know I'd have a hard time enjoying!

[maestramommy]

Okay, guess you got enough "nays" to be convinced:tongue5: I LOVE LOVE LOVE Cirque du Soleil, but I haven't even shown my DDs the videos. I'm sure they would love the stunts, but the clowns and other characters would probably be too scary. Cirque is pretty dark. The only circus my kids know Ringling Bros.

[bubbaray]

I might consider it. DD#1 would LOVE it. I actually think she might end up doing something like that down the road -- she is crazy flexible and loves dance.

I think DD#2 would like it. Dunno. She is fine with "characters" as long as they have "real" faces (not fake heads like at Disney). So, I think she'd be OK. She LOVES dance and gymnastics, so she might be OK.

If they can sit through a 3.5 hour ballet performance (they had to this year, they performed on alternate days, so they each had to watch the other sibling perform), they could sit through a Cirque show IMO.

[liz]

Nah, I wouldn't do it. I recently took DS1 to a show because my BFF unexpectedly got sick and wasn't able to attend. He did fine but some parts of the show were dark, some parts went over his head and some parts were a bit freaky (at one point they had these things swaying in the air that looked exactly like the dementors from Harry Potter). And he asked me a dozen times when it was going to be over. So not the most relaxing time for me even though I know he liked most of the show.

[Gracemom]

We took my DD (8 yrs. old) to a Cirque show a few months ago and she LOVED it! It was so special to see how excited she was by the costumes, makeup, theatrics, and amazing feats. I think her age is just perfect. She really appreciated the whole thing and still talks about how amazing it was. I did not take my 4 year old because I wanted to be able to enjoy the performance, and I was afraid he would be freaked out by the costumes/makeup. I made the right call. He did not like the pics I showed him at all.

[squimp]

Wait until they're 5 or so. I took my 5-year-old to see it at Downtown Disney and I thought she was just old enough. She LOVED it, as did I, but I cannot imagine taking a much younger kid.