Since Burning Man is upon us again, (OH GOD, GET HIM OFF ME! GET HIM OFF! HE’S BURNING ME!) someone thought this article about helping your children enjoy the festival could be useful. It’s via Slog tipper Griff, and everything is [sic].
So read on Burning Moms and Dads, in honor of this years Rights Of Passage theme, we’ve compiled a list of 10 Insider Tips to make your Burning Man 2011 a fun-filled success with your Burner Babes.
Bringing along the kids will lend an entirely different experience. This is the reality, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t have an amazing time!
Little ones can be especially prone to playa foot so try and keep thin socks on their feet and be sure to clean off every night with Vinegar wash, which neutralizes the alkaline dust and restores Ph balance.
If your kid gets a nose bleed or the dreaded “playa-taters” (nose buggers), blow their noses in a moist fragrance-free towelette and then run the moisturizer inside the nostril before sleep.
Maybe Stranger parenting issues editor Charles Mudede will have some advice about bringing the tots ‘n tykes™ to Burning Man, if we ask him nicely.
Don’t forget “You are creating an experience for your child that will validate their imagination and give them confidence.”
I think they’re using “playa” here as the Spanish word for beach, but I prefer to read it as the hip-hop spelling of “player”.
When I knew about about Burning Man as a wee (okay not that wee) lad, I really liked the idea of it in theory. But then as I learned more about it in actual practice, it made my skin crawl just as much as any other organized party. Now it has officially crossed over into complete hilarity.
@2 – I couldn’t honestly tell you which version of the word they’re going for, but honestly, it’s an irritating affectation either way, so who really cares. Read it once through each way, and tell me if one version or the other doesn’t make you want to poke them in the eyes.
@2 & @4, it’s been the Spanish “playa” ever since it started on a beach in San Francisco.
Sounds like someone has done just a wee bit too much acid in their life.
I don’t think an acid casualty would even have the presence of mind to write this.
The only thing that could make Burning Man sound even less appealing to me is to know that some people take their children there as well. Jesus.
I only went the one time, long before I became a parent. The kids I saw there appeared to be having the time of their lives, but even then I thought there was an enormous amount of age-inappropriate stuff around. Still, probably did them no real harm. Look at it this way – when all those kids rebel against their parents, they will become the next generation of accountants and tax lawyers. The “playa” refers to the perfectly flat, highly alkaline ground the event is held on. It can and will cause damage to skin if you don’t take precautions. The dust is as fine as wheat flour, and it gets into EVERYTHING.
Guys, a “playa” in this sense is a geographic term – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sink_%28geo…
I am in NO WAY advocating Burning Man or taking your children to said cesspool, but I do have to point out that the sentence “prone to playa foot” isn’t wrong so much as ambiguous. Playing barefoot in the playa, or evaporated sink, is apparently bad for your feet due to the alkalinity left after the water evaporates.
The only thing worse than the nasty shirtcocker with a chapped ballsack who stole your bike is the jackass’ dirty, feral “indigo child” who looks like a caricature of that kid from The Road Warrior, wandering about with no supervision causing all sorts of havoc.
This is bull.
1. Potty trained. Seriously.
2. Bring cases of juice pouches, store with ice bags in giant cooler. Dry ice burns inquisitive kids’ fingers.
3. Hats. Lots of fun costume hats.
4. Clip on walkie talkies.
5. Make expeditions.
6. Write camp location on tag for pants.
7. Don’t ever explain the sex camps or adult toys. Kids are easily distracted at the Burn, anyway.
8. Spring for lemonades every time in Center Camp.
9. Bacon and eggs for morning.
10. Bag of disposable ear plugs and dust masks and cheep shades and bandanas.
@9 My understanding is the people at Burning Man already are tax lawyers and accountants. Oh and hedge fund managers.
@13 true.
@13..and broke retired baptist preachers