Children at the March

[Julie LIst]

WMW Illinois loves the idea of bringing children to the march- what an amazing learning experience! We suggest all parents decide what is best for their children. This is a discussion amongst those considering bringing their children along. 

Here are some messages on the WMW IL Facebook (names removed) regarding marchers bringing children. Please feel free to add your thoughts below by replying.

• I am bringing my daughter who is 8. Anyone else bringing kids? Wondering if this is a good idea or if I should just come by myself.
  
• My daughter is 9, and my son 7, and my husband and I haven't decided yet. We're considering going as a family, for safety reasons. I think it would be amazing to show our kids the power of the peaceful protest!
  
• I'm taking my 7 year old!
  
• Thanks for the reply I feel much better now. I was really questioning my decision. First time I am doing something like this and I don't want to put my kid at risk. But I think it's really important we do this together. Was going to take my mom but she will be out of the country. Maybe as we get further into the organization we can brainstorm on kids stuff.
  
• Bringing my teenage daughter
  
• I understand completely why you want to share this and educate your daughter about our civic duty to speak out. I would suggest a partner/buddy system for safety. Even if this is completely peaceful, and that is my hope, it will be a huge crowd and overwhelming. Just find a few more hands to hold. I don't think that will be hard. Maybe the committee can help with out and assist in plans for people with young ones attending.
  
• I hoping to bring my teenage daughter!!
  
• I think I know what my contribution to this march will be. I will help the organizers put together something for the kids. Sadly I am well versed in snacks, juice boxes and bouncy houses :) For those of you bringing teen agers we may need baby sitters.
  
• I'm bringing my 13 year old son...he was devastated when Trump won the election and is vowing to stand beside me to fight. This will be a historic event I definitely want him to be a part of!!
  
• I think it's important for our children to see us stand up for ourselves and others. It's what we tell them to do, right? Just make sure she has your contact info on her.
  
• I'm traveling Chicago-DC and will not be bringing my littles, because they're really little. Also plane tickets are expensive :) But Hubby might find a way to bring them to the local march.
  
• Thank you for asking this because I am considering bringing my 7 (almost 8) year old son but don't know if it's a good idea with the crowds. I would really like to and feel it's important for him to be a part of this. I'd be interested in seeing if there could be some kind of support for marchers with kids -- somehow, without taking away from the March as a whole. I don't have ideas yet but will keep thinking about it.
  
• If you are going to bring her please make sure she has a phone on her and your number written on her arm or on a piece of paper in her pocket. It will be cold in January and the day will start off around 4:30 a.m. Lots of people and closed subway stations. I think it will be great for her. But keep the weather and long day and walking, etc. in mind.
  
• Hi all, I also just read that cell phone service won't be great. Also remember to bring those portable cell chargers. Long day but worth it.
  
• (Admin) Love this conversation and the advice to and fro. Thank you and keep it up! The committee is not likely to provide special accommodations for children. Certainly this is being created as a 100% inclusive and safe march - so all ages are welcome and parents should use their own discretion (which you all are!) 
  
• Going to D.C. With a HS'r and two middle schoolers. They need to see this stuff up close.
  
• These are all good reminders for parents. You may want to wait and hear all the directives, rules, restrictions about the March to make your decision. They often restrict what you can carry.
  
• Please be careful. The general tenor of this presidency has not been seen before. I do not know that we can expect a fully safe protest. I'm leaving my children at home.
  
• This has crossed my mind, too 
  
• My husband asked me if I was taking my children, and I said I was not. For logistical as well as safety reasons.
  
• I marched with my Mother in the 1960s. I was near that age. The experiences were very important in forming a responsible and caring world view. Even if there are moments that get tense, it is a water shed moment for a young mind.
  
• I initially hadn't planned to bring my 9 and 12 year old daughters, but my husband has convinced me to. Tickets bought!
  
• I also considered bringing my 8 year old daughter, but I'm nervous about the crowds. I was in DC once for the 4th of July fireworks with my family when I was a teenager and I was pretty terrified, especially going down the stairs into the subway station. It seemed really easy to get trampled. Also the cold and long day, long walk....I decided to FaceTime her instead.
  
• I am bringing my 8 year old daughter understanding that I will take her lead and if she is scared or overwhelmed, we will have an exit plan. I asked her and we discussed why we want to go so I am happy she will be with me but her safety will be my priority.
  
• I planned to bring my 4 year-old daughter. It sounds like no one else is bringing a child that young. Should I reconsider?
  
• (Admin) Hi! This is not a formal WMW response - but rather a personal response: we have heard about people bringing infants through teenagers! Just like the busiest day in a theme park or other very crowded environment - you'll want to take precautions for safety (will she walk/stroll? can you pack necessities? Prepare for the cold, etc). You know your daughter and resources best. And as (above) said - an exit plan is great if things begin to feel hectic. Kudos to you all for being so thoughtful to each other!
  
• Thanks! This has been very helpful.
  
• My daughter is bringing her 12,8 and 1 year old.
  
• God willing I will be brining both my girls
  
• I am a 4'10" grown a$$ woman and I get nervous in these crowds. Looking into only backs and chests is kind of scary. I think the crowd will be caring and supportive but it is a huge crowd. Be prepared.
  
• I'm bringing my 6 yo son. We are coming with a former student of mine (21 yo) and my mother (66). It's going to be a multi-generational affair!
  
• Beautiful!
  
• Again, this may not be like other marches and protests. Be aware that there is less predictability here. If things go south, for whatever reason, you may not want to have children present.
  
• (Admin) Thank you for expressing your concerns. Both the IL and national team has safety as a top priority. This is simply my personal encouragement to stay positive. We have over two months to address everyone's legit concerns. 
  
• Oh my goodness I have no doubt of that! If there is danger I don't think that it will come from lack of thoroughness of admins for the event!
  
• Oh, I hear you on that, gal! 
  
• Thank you everyone for the great feedback. Your story about going to the March with your mom really struck a cord. I am going to keep my plans as is but we are on Southwest so I can cancel and bank the ticket if needed. I will also have a backup plan for where she can stay and follow her lead as was stated previously. Obviously if it's not safe or the weather is terrible we will figure something out. My gut feeling is that this will be an important event and a great experience for us to have together. But I may be naive since I have never been to anything of this scale before. I used to protest with my check book, no longer!!! Looking forward to working with some of you as we plan this and seeing some of you at the March. Fight the Power! (Had to add that because I am so vanilla that me saying that is laughable).
  
• Is there a plan for Chicago people to meet at the march somehow? My husband and I are grandparents and would love to march with families.
  
• I'm bringing my daughter who is bringing her daughters, 12, 8 and1. I'd suggest an extra adult if possible.
  
• I'm planning to bring my 10 and 12 year old
  
• We should meet up if possible. We are taking the girls.
  
• How do you guys plan on getting out there?
  
• There are 8 of us total and we are renting a van. He got us a room for two nights. Kids sleep on the floor.
  
• I am coming on a bus with 60 women and children!
  
• 
  

[tasha]

My husband and I are bringing our 8 and 5 year old from Chicago!