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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Inauguration Day with an Infant
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Anonymous
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Just wondering whether people with infants plan on going downtown for the Inauguration Day parade on Jan. 20.
I really want to attend and experience history and am ready for the lines, crowd, etc. But I have a 10 month old and am concerned it is going to be absolutely crazy and even dangerous. I may be able to use my office (downtown on PA ave) as a safe haven, but I still worry about getting home and the crowds generally. Just curious what other people are thinking. Given my concerns, I am leaning against it, but wanted to throw it out there. It would really be a shame to miss this moment in history . . |
Anonymous
| Nope, too crowded for an infant, IMO. Possibly dangerous, but I'm a worrywart. |
Anonymous
| No strollers, no bags, no backpacks, no place to change a diaper, breastfeed, sit down to give a bottle or solids. Unknown whether or not walking to an office within any reasonable length of time will be possible. No thanks. Am happy sit out history on the sidelines in this case. |
Anonymous
| why no strollers? |
Anonymous
| bad idea. get a sitter. it unfortunately sounds like no place for small children. |
pamD
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| You can't take strollers into the ticketed areas (and maybe the whole mall), for security reasons and because it is too crowded. I think they said you can have them along the parade route. |
Anonymous
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Thanks everyone. Didn't know about the no strollers. Where can I find that info? It would be along the parade route, not in any ticketed areas.
BTW, my office is two blocks from the White House, but not on the parade route. Can't get a sitter. Nanny is visiting her native country the last two weeks of Jan. Might leave my 10 month old with DH, but take my 3 1/2 YO. What do people think about taking a preschooler? |
Anonymous
| Planners warn that people should be able to stand in the cold for four hours and maybe longer. I'd be too scared of getting hemmed in by the crowd. |
Anonymous
| I wouldn't do it. It could be a very unpredictable situation. What if you had to change diapers, what if it's too cold for him/her, what if it's so crowded that it takes you hours to get out of the crowds, what if...what if...too many unknowns to bring an infant into such a situation safely. See it on TV and just know that you lived see it happen. |
Anonymous
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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. |
Anonymous
| Anyone who takes a child down there under the age of 8 or so how lost their minds. LOST THEIR MINDS. |
Anonymous
| Why don't you just make a day of it at home in front of the TV with the family? |
Anonymous
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I'm pretty sure I heard that you can't take strollers along the parade route either. NPR did a story on how fewer families or old people will be able to go because of no backpacks, strollers, or chairs along the parade route.
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Anonymous
| Where can we see the official bans? I'd say the crowd will be a lot less than predicted if they are banning all sorts of stuff. I know a bunch of people from out of town who have decided not to attend because the costs and crowds are scaring them. |
Anonymous