Some pieces of advice and insight are helpful for parents of children of all ages and abilities. Instead of repeating them on every age-specific page, it may be best to list them here.
Appreciate Your Limits
Though the office of the Chancellor Minor is happy to provide guidance and suggestions for participating in the SCA with children, it is perfectly okay to take a break or simply leave the little ones at home during this phase of your and, if applicable, your partner’s life. How you participate in the SCA as a parent of a child at any age is vastly different than it was without children and you may go to a few events and determine that this game isn’t as fulfilling as it once was.
This is perfectly okay! Along the same lines…
Do What Is Best For Your Family
As with anything in handling children, do what makes sense for your family and accommodate as necessary! Every parent, child, and cohesive family unit is unique in what they want to get out of the SCA and how they can participate. If any suggestions offered here or from other people who work with SCAdian children is not feasible for your child/family, adapt or opt out as it makes the most sense.
You Are Responsible For the Youth You Bring
The office of Chancellor Minor and official Youth Activities coordinate opportunities for youths to learn about the SCA period and participate in ways that are meaningful to their age levels. However, Youth Point and other official youth activities are not babysitting services. Children under 10 must be supervised at all youth activities. This can be the parent or a designated responsible person (ex. babysitter, child minder, camp/household-mate).
Note: This isn’t necessarily a 1:1 ratio of child: supervisor. For example, one babysitter can take several children to Youth Point for an activity that they all want to go to.
For the full documentation on East Kingdom and Society policies, please see our Laws and Policies page.
Utilize The Village
“It takes a village to raise a child” is a phrase we have always heard… but seldom get the chance to practice in modern life. Historically (and in modern tribal societies), this literally was how children were raised; i.e. through a network of similarly minded adults who all had the best interest for their children. Communicate before the event with your friends/household about your needs and arrange time to do the things you want to do and make sure everyone is okay with being a spare pair of eyes for the children. Do not assume that everyone will happily watch your child for you.
Suggested reading: If you’re interested in some anthropological work on children and childhood, check out the works of David Lancy, who has been studying children and adolescent development in modern tribal societies. His works offer some insight into how humans raised children prior to the Industrial Revolution and may be helpful for navigating parenthood in the SCA. After all, the SCA recreates historical cultures and children existed all throughout history!
If you’re stuck, reach out to your local or the kingdom Chancellor Minor! They may have some suggestions and resources to help you navigate events and activities with children.
Garb
Clothing sprouting children can be a challenge. Yes, you can go all out and make perfectly period accurate garb for your baby/toddler… but here are some hacks from parents and the community to assist in clothing your children.
- Tabards/gowns/tunics over onesies/long-sleeved shirts/leggings – Simple, effective, and great for tired parents of children. Don’t even need to bother with a hem! Raw edges are period!
- Fun last-minute DIY – White onesie + Sharpie makes a quick and easy last-minute outfit
- Hand me downs – Youth Activities at many larger events may have a garb chest of donations from parents whose little ones have grown. Check with your local Chancellor Minor, event steward, group, Chatelaine, etc. to see if anyone has garb they want out of their house or host a garb exchange of your own to swap garb that you need for another family’s outgrown or extra clothing!
- Repurpose, repurpose, repurpose – Do you have a tunic that is a little small for you? A belt and rolled up sleeves do wonders.
- Bring more garb than you need! – Your diaper bag always has a spare change of clothes in it should the worst happen. Make sure you prepare the same for an event.
- Teach them to sew – If you make your garb, let your children see you make it. Teach them clothing construction techniques when they ask to see it. Yes, it may slow down the process (ask anyone who has done a pre-Pennsic sewing binge) but it will also prepare them for adulthood and allow them to help when they’re old enough to be trusted with a sewing machine. Bonus: You get help when sewing in bulk!
Food
Offerings at day board and feast are not always child/sensory friendly or cost effective (especially if all your child is eating at feast is the bread). Most food coordinators at events are happy to share menus but you may learn from experience that the food offerings are just not going to work with your kid. Some helpful ideas for avoiding a food-related meltdown:
- Bread, cheese, and fruit are always period and are usually favorites among children.
- Use this as an opportunity to find food options that are both period and child friendly!
- Don’t forget backup options like PB&J, and mac and cheese! Are they period? No. Will they keep your child from being hangry? Yes.
Listen To Your Child
Check in with your child before and after events to gauge their interest and what they want to do next. If so, see what would grab their attention and keep them engaged and comfortable at events. As children grow, their interests change. Children are also more likely to try something if a parent is doing it with them. So plan on doing archery, or an A&S class with your child. Who knows? You might find out you like it as well!
However, keep in mind that even those born into the SCA may not find their experiences worthwhile and choose not to participate once they are old enough to stay home. This is also a valid option. Forcing your child to do something they don’t want to do will only cause stress.