I'm 6:25 and we take our DC to local shows too, or when we are traveling as a family. It's more about the travel aspect and sending DC with one other parent. I think kids should have things to look forward to, and traveling to a pop concert with another family is one of those things.

And I fully realize I'm in the minority in this, but I don't think 9 YOs need to do what teens were doing a generation or two ago, or that 11 YOs need to use social media, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Wow- I'm surprised by the responses. My mom, sister and I STILL talk about going out of town for the NKOTB (yep, New Kids!)concert and staying overnight (about 70 miles from home) with 2 other kids and my mom's friend (the other mom). We were not spoiled kids at all- pretty working class/ lower middle class and it was basically our birthday presents for that year. I was 12 and my sister was 9.

I know its different bc my mom was with us, but I could see her being plenty comfy with the arrangement if we were going with an aunt or close family friend too- we were pretty easy kids though.

In fact my god-mother/ aunt brought me to a concert for my birthday the next year (not out of town, but started/ended pretty late) and I also remember that one and loving it- MC Hammer.

Man, thinking about the actual shows is making me laugh!

I guess I see experiences as being less of an entitlement thing than lots and lots of stuff.

I am not surprised at the responses, but I don't think what you hear here is representative. I've been taking my kids to concerts since they were five and I am in good company. Last year when Taylor Swift came to town, most of the Sunday night audience was elementary and middle school kids - or so it seemed.

Wow- I'm surprised by the responses. My mom, sister and I STILL talk about going out of town for the NKOTB (yep, New Kids!)concert and staying overnight (about 70 miles from home) with 2 other kids and my mom's friend (the other mom). We were not spoiled kids at all- pretty working class/ lower middle class and it was basically our birthday presents for that year. I was 12 and my sister was 9.

I know its different bc my mom was with us, but I could see her being plenty comfy with the arrangement if we were going with an aunt or close family friend too- we were pretty easy kids though.

In fact my god-mother/ aunt brought me to a concert for my birthday the next year (not out of town, but started/ended pretty late) and I also remember that one and loving it- MC Hammer.

Man, thinking about the actual shows is making me laugh!

I guess I see experiences as being less of an entitlement thing than lots and lots of stuff.

No, I wouldn't.

I took my (then) 9 year old to see Kelly Clarkson and Maroon 5 in September. She wears her concert t-shirt at least once a week and still talks about it frequently because we had the absolutely best time! We had tons of room to dance too because the row of similarly aged children sitting next to us, (six kids, two moms) didn't make it all the way through the concert. Maybe they were there to just see Kelly Clarkson, IDK, or maybe it got too late for them because they left around 9:30 and the show went on until 12:00.

I'd let my DD go because I know she enjoys stuff like that and can hang in there if things start to run late and she's the best traveler around. My only real concern would be that one of the kids found it too overwhelming and needed to leave. My DS (9) is like that, gets over stimulated and doesn't do well with crowds or noise and if we go to festivals then we know we are going for as long as he lasts. Sometimes all day and other times an hour so I didn't risk spending big money on concert ticket for him. I'd say as long as there isn't a girl like my DS going, do it. There are two moms so one can do bathroom duty while the other holds their seats, gets snacks, or whatever.

I took my DD to see Hanson, and another time to a Nickeloden music festival, when she was about that age. She had a blast. OMG my ears were ringing with tween screeches. Anyway, I would possibly have let her go to a concert out of town only if it was with someone very close, such as mom of BFF who I've known for years and is totally trustworthy, etc..so if two moms are going and you are comfortable with the two of them properly supervising and not letting the kids out of sight, then yes...

I went to a Backstreet Boys Concert when I was 12 - got the tickets from family friends for my birthday and their Dad took me and a friend of mine. I would say 12 is the youngest I'd ever even think about a concert for my children...

My DD's friends did this at age 8. No sleep over but an all day and night event. A year later, the kids barely mention the event and my DD just doesn't even care about it. No, I didn't let her go btw

Anonymous wrote:If I trusted the other mother, sure. If I'd let my kid spend the night at her house or go to Great Wolf with her family, I'd let her take my kid to a concert.

It's a boy band concert. It will be full of (very patient) parents and their kids. Crowded, but perfectly safe.

+1 I went to see boy bands and pop stars when I was under 10. With my mom and/or aunt, and we took one or two of my same-aged friends. I'm sure it would have been fine the other way around. Those of you who are saying "No way!" are weird.. let your daughter live a little.

If I trusted the other mother, sure. If I'd let my kid spend the night at her house or go to Great Wolf with her family, I'd let her take my kid to a concert.

It's a boy band concert. It will be full of (very patient) parents and their kids. Crowded, but perfectly safe.

Anonymous wrote:9 year olds do not go to out-of-town concerts.

I agree!

FYI, if it is r5 the concert is at the national, which is a 9:30 type place. Think floor general admission with a balcony and bar. I would be concerned re how many kids and adults would be in your group? A reserved seating venue is easy to maintain a groom but a place like this does the mom think she can keep watch over a certain number of kids? Also would she really want to be driving back on a Saturday night, late, up 95N to come home? Would you want her to?

OP here. Seems like you all are as split in opinions as I am on this. Part of me says "No way!", and the other part realizes that I've known these girls and moms (2 are going now) and I know they would take good care of my daughter. I would go if I could but I have younger children at home and a husband who will be out of town for work. I think I'll let my daughter pay for the ticket (chores and savings), and just make sure I have contact info and itinerary. I feel better now that I know there will be more than one parent supervising. Thanks for the advice (except for the hallway sex thing - that was just weird).

Absolutely not.

I don't understand why everyone is complaining about the cost, saying it is too much to spend on a 9y old. So your kids don't go on vacations unless they can pay half of it with their own earned money?

Unless it is a budget issue (and it seems it is in op's case) I don't see the big deal.

However, I would not let my 9y old go or even older child to tell the truth, unless I was driving him/her myself (or husband). I just don't feel comfortable with someone else driving my child around for such a distance.