My husband is a coach and this will be the first year taking a baby to competition. She’s 8 months old and I’m a bit nervous, even though she’s incredibly well-behaved, because, well, she’s a baby. Does anyone have any tips? We are planning on being there as much as possible this weekend.
Also, has anyone found any type of baby safety glasses? My husband will be in the pit primarily, and I’d like for us to be able to go in there occasionally (I’ll be wearing her, so no, she won’t be crawling around and getting in the way).
I am not aware of any eye protection specifically for a baby… other than sunglasses.
They have polycarbonate sunglasses designed for little ones… it would be better than nothing.
I would keep them away from the pits most of the time and enjoy the tournament. But wear the ear protection all of the time… its is really loud…
My youngest was 9 months old at her first regional. We found the smallest pair of toddler safety glasses Amazon sold and just had to hold them on her face during a few walks through the pits. She spent the vast majority of the time in the stands happily drooling away and admiring the flashing lights. We sat in the top row way off to the side so the main speakers weren’t blasting at us, but plan on some type of noise management. Make sure to remind all the high school kids admiring your adorable child that since becoming a parent, you get tons of sleep, have loads of disposable income, and definitely have never been covered in someone else’s excrement.
One of our parents had one free pair of prescription glasses with their insurance, so they asked the doctor if they could get the lowest possible prescription for the child with safety lenses.
My little brother attended our competitions last year when he was 1. He would not wear safety goggles so we put a pair of swim goggles on him. While he did look rather comical, it worked well because he couldn’t take them off.
The competition left a lasting impression on him… He talks about robots all the time :ahh:
I had my son at competitions, last year and this year. He was ~9 months last year and almost 2 this year. We’ve found that all safety glasses do not fit (even if they are for a child). Like a previous poster we held them on the first year. This year, our son picked himself out a pair of multi-colored swim goggles which he wore while being carried around the pits. Of course those are not as safe as real safety goggles, and they looked really strange (but hey we’re at a robotics competition so he fit right in)… but the fact that they stayed on was much better than him not having anything covering his eyes at all.
Of course hearing protection as everyone else has mentioned.
Exact Same Boat, Last year my kiddo was just over 1, and this year he was just over 2.
He would not keep Safety Glasses on to save his life, so it made life in the pits tough, but all around otherwise, he was happy running and watching the “bobot”. I would encourage a stroller with under baggage also (Snacks, Blanket, Snacks, Diapers and plenty of wipes, a change of clothes (Blowouts happen), and also Snacks!). Plus the stroller makes nice for nap time and ease of transportation!
Make sure to remind all the high school kids admiring your adorable child that since becoming a parent, you get tons of sleep, have loads of disposable income, and definitely have never been covered in someone else’s excrement.
My kids actually really took to my son, and enjoyed having him around helping with the robot as he could (loading gears and fuel) during practices. But alas - They too saw the time commitment it takes to do both!
