Is She Too Young?

Go for it....I took my 2 yr old son to the circus recently and I am expecting a second meaning we will be going to ringling brothers in NY city in the spring for my son's second time and with a 4 month old in tow. They are never too young!

I took my son, then 22 months to the soul circus in brooklyn last year, and he loved it. when he got overstimulated, he just fell asleep on my lap.

I found that the circus is too long for a 2 yr old to sit through. Even my 6 yr old had a hrad time making it through the whole show. If you go with the knowledge that you'll probably be leaving early then go for it. You never know.

Dear A.,

I have taken my kids to the circus and found it distracting and expensive. There is usually a million things going on a once and I found it hard for them to focus. At first they are engaged, but then I think it becomes to much for them. Personally I think my kids enjoy the zoo much more, where they can see the animals up close and enjoy watching them. I don't think at her age she will appreciate the acts that are going on at the circus. Find a local zoo, or a petting zoo, I think she will enjoy it much more. Good luck!!

I don't think she's too young. It's loud and there's so much going on that if she doesn't sit she won't be distrubing the other guest. Have a great time.

I doubt if she will be able to "sit through" the circus. I went with a 5 year old, and he needed to be constantly re-directed, and told where to look and what was happening. He finally had enough.

If you are willing to leave if she gets too antsy, that is an option. You can't really know how she sill respond, but if you are willing to be flexible, you will be able to handle it.

Whether or not she can sit through, you will have learned a lot about yourself as mom and her as a child. Sometimes we want so much for out kids to love what we love as much as we love it, and when it doesn't happen, we are disappointed or feel like failures. This is possibly a good place to start, to accept your daughter's responses to the things you love without giving her the message that she is less than because she doesnt join you in your passion. Or to pass on your enthusiasm and watch her share it.

Hi A.,
If it's a cheap, local circus, I say go for it. But don't buy tickets to anything that costs so much that you'd be really unhappy if you had to leave. She may have a great time, or it might be overstimulating or some parts could be frightening. Only buy the tickets if you'd be okay with leaving. Good luck and I hope you and your toddler have fun.

Hi, A.:

My son and I were invited to the circus when he was 2 years old. Based on our experience, yes, it was too early for him. The music was incredibly loud, the lights constantly flashing, and the various acts a bit overwhelming for him. We left after an hour, and if I had to do it again I would have waited until he was older.

T.

I took my daughter to the circus when she was 22 months old and every year thereafter. We also brought our twins along when they were 19 months old. The first year, they slept through some of it. Last year, when they were 2 1/2, they LOVED it!!!!

She may be too young. Seeing clowns may frighten her as well as the animals. It is going to be loud. I'd wait another year when you know she'll understand what she's seeing and be able to appreciate it.

I am looking forward to reading some responses, as I have a 27 month old and want so badly to take her to The Christmas Spectacular in NYC on Broadway but my husband says she's too young. He's probably right. I am just so anxious to show her things and take her places that I might be jumping the gun some thinking tha she is ready at 27 months. However we are taking her to see Disney on Ice next month so we'll see....

I'll let you know how she handles Disney on Ice.

It all depends on what circus you are talking about. If it is a small traveling circus, then no problem. They usually have a little side show where you can look at the animals. If it's Ringling Bros. I would reconsider. I went a couple of times with my daughter (who was 9 and then 10 for the second time) and I was the one getting antsy. It's soooo long. It is also very loud. I do a preschool program in my home and I find that even when you read a two year old a book you have to use a lot of expression and have very few words on each page to keep their attention. Think about that and then think about sitting in a seat for two hours......BUT, if you don't mind shelling out the cash just to have a fun family afternoon, the circus is full of excitement. You could spend some time in your seat and then go for a walk and look at all the fun toys and "prizes" the venders are selling. I would advise an end seat. Personally, I think 4 or 5 is the perfect circus age, but either way if you have the right attitude and keep your expectations low, you should have a good time. Sue

Hi A.,

Yes she may get a little antsy because of her age, she may even be afraid of some of the things she sees, such as clowns. Children her age tend to dislike costumes. When I took my son and daughter to amusement parks, such as Disney World, Sesame Street Place, at that age they would cry. They soon grew out of that. Take her and have some fun with her.

All the best.

It's loud and made for kids...who cares if she doesn't sit...there's way too much to look at anyway...she's not expected to sit quitely and watch, it's an interactive show!

Absolutely take her!! Don't expect her to take in the whole thing. I took my son and he LOVED it. He fell asleep about half way through it, but I felt it was well worth it. These things are about quality, not quantity.

Not at all. I took my son, 24 months at the time, to a Backyardigans Live Show - an hour and a half long, and he sat through the entire show without a peep or stir. If it is entertaining with lights and music, your baby girl will be in awe! Take a chance; I am sure she will love it.

I took my son to the circus this summer when he was about 30 months old. I had the same concern but took him knowing it might not work out. I was willing to leave if he wasn't enjoying it. As it turned out he loved it. He wasn't scared and there was so much action it held his attention. There was an intermission and I wasn't sure he'd go back in but the break was good and we stayed for the whole show.
I think as long as you are willing to recognize that it might not work out and you are willing to leave if you need to it should be ok.

Definitely take her!!! I took my son when he probably the same age as your daughter and the only problem I had with him was getting him to leave. IT was a small circus, so I don't know if that had anything to do with anything, but there was one ring and it was a small tent so we weren't far away and he LOVED it. He stood and stared the entire time. He clapped and cheered when evryone else did and thought it was soo funny. He loved it and I totally think your daughter would too. Maybe you want to try a smaller circus if there's one near you just in case...? But I would absolutely try it for her.

I took my then 26 month old to the Ringling Bros Circus at Soveriegn Bank Arena. He enjoyed it up until the last half hour. We had the opportunity to meet and great the performers prior to the show, he loved this and it gave him an idea of what to expect when the show started. I also suggest a box of popcorn, that kept him entertained during the slow parts of the performance. I say go for it!

TAKE HER!!!! She will love it and it is never slow so the changing action will keep her spell bound. Bring snacks and drinks and know where the potty is but other than that HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!! Can I go in your purse!!!?!!! A.