Finally passed out after much screaming, crying, and anger at all attempts to calm her!
Anyone have any plans to go to any fireworks displays in the coming days for the 4th of July? I know we plan on going to some on the 4th. We go to these every year. I have been panicking a little about my one year old though.
You see she is not as satisfied just traipsing along with the rest of us and doing our things. She actually wants to be out and moving around. Not actually doing what the rest of the kids want to do, but instead having me chase her in a completely different direction than where I can see the other three happily playing together.
Going To Our Annual Fireworks Display
So every year we go to a local fireworks display that’s right on the 4th. It is actually a quite impressive display. I think I got so used to the waiting around all night to finally see the fireworks and it’s a 10 minute display and we pack up and go. So anything more than that really gets me excited.
Last year at the fireworks. She stayed put!
This display lasts a good half an hour. Makes the oh 4 hours of waiting a little more worth it, don’t you think? So last year we hung out on our blanket. The big kids played games. We people watched. The baby just kind of sat around relatively content. When she wasn’t happy popping her on a boob satisfied her.
This year we don’t have that luxury. This year she is walking. This year she has a mind of her own. And either I had complete amnesia about the rest of the kids at this age or they weren’t as on the go, but I really don’t remember having these same anxieties about these sort of activities. It must be amnesia. I can’t imagine many 1 year old’s sitting nicely for these sort of things.
Then we’re going to add the bright lights and loud sounds of the fireworks to the already agitated situation. Now do you see why I’m a little nervous about all of this? I don’t want to keep the older kids from doing things though. It’s just not fair to them. I mean it’s not like they asked for so much younger siblings. So while the just not going was a little easier to do when my oldest were little and not too keen with these things it’s just not as easy to do now.
Making Fireworks Displays Bearable For Small Children
So I’m trying to think of ways to make sure that we all are safe and have a relatively good time while we’re at the fireworks this year. And of course so mom doesn’t lose her mind.
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Our matching shirts from last year
To make sure we are easily spotted as belonging together when we go out into crowded places I like to dress us all alike. This year we are tie dyeing t-shirts red, white, and blue (I hope) to all wear. So if someone gets misplaced and we have to describe what that person is wearing we just point to our own shirt.
- Plenty of different activities to keep all of the kids entertained while we wait. While there is stuff to do where we go we don’t usually do all of that stuff. So the older ones are easy with their video games, but the little ones we’ll bring some toys and a few books to help make the time go by faster.
- Find out where the fireworks are lit off from and then sit as far away from there as you possibly can. I know when I was little my parents used to find a spot where we would sit in the car and we couldn’t even hear the booms, but we could still see it and oooh and ahh over it.
- If you can’t get that far away, then do have some hearing protection. Ear plugs if your kids will tolerate or those headphones that people use at NASCAR races are perfect. When worse comes to worse your hands over your kids ears to muffle the sound will help too.
- Talk about it ahead of time to children who are a little older. Explain to them what they will look and sound like and how it all works. Explain that it won’t hurt them and if they are scared they can hold your hand.
- Most of all have fun and stay safe. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends going to firework displays run by professionals instead of using your own fireworks because that’s how injuries happen. Watch this video that the NFPA put together showing the dangers of seemingly harmless fireworks, including sparklers.
So happy 4th of July to everyone. I hope you have a safe and relaxing time with family and friends. I’m just hoping the baby cooperates nicely this year, ha.
What are your plans for the 4th of July?
No plans as of yet, but we usually barbecue at a friend’s house and watch the fireworks from their hot tub.
Wait…you have more than 3 tips ROFL where’s the ear muffs tip?
x
LOL well I thought about that as a way to maybe keep the mosquitoes away from their ears and if you felt like overheating your children. But thought ear plugs were a much better option for keeping sound at a minimum. Of course with the ages of some children I really would have to say the absolute best option is to just stay away until they can handle it better. Having two older children though unless I was able to find a sitter that’s really not an option for me
. Oh and #6 was given to me by my firefighter friend. He sent me to that website where I got that video.
Thanks for the tips. The kids in my neighborhood have already started popping fireworks and my 5 dogs HATE them so they’ll spend the week with a little benedryl to help keep them from freaking out!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing them.
)
I hope you and your family have a fun and safe 4th!
Enjoy!
~K~