Inauguration Day with an Infant

[Anonymous]

There've been lots of articles in the Post about the various restrictions - no strollers, no backpacks, no diaper bags. We have a 5-year old and there's no way we're going - and I'm not the worrying type at all. The logistics just sound nightmarish. There'll be no parking at our nearest metro in Arlington (so we'd have to cab or walk about 1.5 miles), and the lines to get into metro and then on a train are supposedly going to be crazy. Then, no meaningful amount of food can be brought in, and the crowds may make it difficult to get to a portajohn in time. I don't shy away from crowds at all, but this event, when combined with the prospect in January of very cold weather, just sounds like hell for children of any age.

[Anonymous]

I was contemplating taking my 1-year-old IF we had gotten tickets, but since we didn't, there's no way I'm going to brave the crowds/traffic/metro/cold for hours with no diaper bag! I remember freezing in '96 and while it was nice to be part of history (it was my first election cycle in DC), I'm either jaded or mellowed enough now to realize it will still be historic if I'm sitting in front of the tv!

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for all the replies and for saving me some time doing research. I was thinking that having my office 2 blocks away from the White House would make things better --- somewhere to go the bathroom, get warm, eat (I can stock up on food in my office before the 20th), change diaper, etc.

But the no stroller rule makes going impossible.

Oh well. I havent' missed an Inauguration Day since I moved here 20 years ago. And I don't thinking watching it on TV is the same.

Thanks again for the thoughts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For many reasons I wouldn't take a 3.5 year old. When mine were that age, we would have needed a stroller for that amount of walking and standing. I would also worry about being separated from my kids at that age. FWIW, I decided not to take mine due to the crowds and the risk of getting separated and mine are 6 and 10.

Also, in addition to not being able to take strollers into ticketed areas, you aren't permitted to take them on Metro either. Strollers are not permitted during rush hours and Inauguration Day is rush hour all day.

Totally OT, but since when are strollers not allowed on Metro during rush hours? Seems like a) an impossibility for the thousands of parents who commute to daycare, and b) impossible to enforce

[Anonymous]

the PP who stated that strollers were forbidden on the metro during rush hour is completely wrong. Bicycles are forbidden during rush hour. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted all day long.

[Anonymous]

... not to mention the weather. I remember on the day of one of the recent inaugurations, it was artic weather with artic winds.

[Anonymous]

I work 2 blocks from the White House and I have to work that day. I'm already planning to walk the 4 miles from my house, in case Metro is too crowded and the tourists also decide to learn the Metrobus system. I can't imagine trying this with my son in tow...

[Anonymous]

My mother actually volunteered to come out and watch our 7 month old so we could attend. We ended up deciding against it because I'm concerned about how long it would take us to get out of the city and back to Bethesda afterwards. Such a historic event and I'm disappointed to be missing it, but the "hype" about the crowds has scared me off. Interesting point by an earlier poster that crowds may be less than expected due to the reports of the crowds...could be?!

[Anonymous]

We are going to try it because we live near downtown and can walk to THe White House in 20 min. Plus, my office is a few blocks away. If it ends up being a nightmare we can get home on foot. Watching on tv is not the same -but we'll see how it goes............I don't think I'd attempt it if I lived further away than I do. I feel like I should give it a shot since I live in the city.

[Anonymous]

Heard on the news that no UMBRELLAS allowed at inaug, whether it rains or not. I understand security but geez.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For many reasons I wouldn't take a 3.5 year old. When mine were that age, we would have needed a stroller for that amount of walking and standing. I would also worry about being separated from my kids at that age. FWIW, I decided not to take mine due to the crowds and the risk of getting separated and mine are 6 and 10.

Also, in addition to not being able to take strollers into ticketed areas, you aren't permitted to take them on Metro either. Strollers are not permitted during rush hours and Inauguration Day is rush hour all day.

Um, strollers most certainly are permitted on Metro during rush hour.

[Anonymous]

You may not be able to get into your office building. In any event, you may have to make arrangements in advance, and have special innauguration day passes. That's true for my building, so it may be true for yours.

[Anonymous]

I think it's all hype and won't be all that crowded anyhow.

How about leaving a well-stocked diaper bag and noshes at work beforehand? If you get stuck there a few hours, all will be well?

[Anonymous]

Why the heck would you take a child? I don't get it.

[Anonymous]

I will be there with my 14 month old (I plan on putting in my mei tei or Ergo and hell be perfectly safe and we will have a blast