Eleven.

The husband plays music.
Last night he played a sizable event.

I took the kids.
The two year old said,

"Dude - TOO LOUD!"

Fair enough but like seriously, dude where does she come up with this stuff?

I consider myself to be a responsible parent.
I work hard at parenting. I read about it, attend workshops and classes.
I work on myself so I don't project my stuff on them.

But there we are at a (too) loud music concert. I had to take them - Daddy was playing.

It was lateish, I had a cocktail in one hand and the two year old in the other. The seven year old was wearing the band t-shirt and moshing in the front row. We were singing along and dancing.

Then I saw the judgement. Around me people were pointing at 'the baby'.

"Isn't it too loud for her?" someone asked.

I believe we had already firmly established that - from the horses mouth no less.
It's worth noting that the two year old said,

"Dude - too loud."

not

"Dude - get me out of here."

"She's OK - she's happy," I say pointing at her huge grin.

"But her ears" she protests.

I pull back her hair and reveal the earplugs.

"Oh, phew - we didn't see them."

WE????

How many people are 'we' exactly?

So here's what I learned:

It is fine to take kids out late to see (too) loud music.
It's fine to drink and parent.
It's fine to allow your seven year old to mosh.
It's fine - as long as you have them wear ear plugs.


This public service announcement brought to you by The Parenting Myth.