HELP! My 14 year old son is a huge classic rock fan. His favorite bands are AC/DC and Van Halen. He is a straight "A " student and is involved in several sports and clubs at school. He is a great kid with a good group of friends. I went to see both of these bands 25 years ago. The stadium was filled with pot smoke and LOTS of VERY intoxicated people. This is really not something I want my son to think is okay to be around. Does anyone know if concerts are still like that? Has anyone been to a rock concert at American Airlines Center? I would love for him to get to go, but am unsure if appropriate for him?? Thanks so much for your input.
Concert crowds haven't changed since we were kids. But if you go with him, and talk with him ahead of time about what he'll see and what your take is on all of it, he'll probably think you're the coolest mom on earth.
Indoor concerts are a lot different than they used to be. I went to go see Bob Dylan a few months ago, and even during Rainy Day Women (Everybody Must Get Stoned) there was no smoking to be seen.
If you enjoy the music too, then it sounds like a great opportunity for you to do something together. I have been seeing a lot of this when I go to concerts. At the Austin City Limits festival there is actually a whole kids area for the younger ones. Concerts have become a lot more family friendly.
Of course there will be some drunk people and you may even see someone smoking weed. So what? As you said you went to these shows 25 years ago when I know there was lots of debauchery to witness. Did you turn out all that bad? Did it scar you for life? Did you turn to a life of crime? You're not going to be able to shelter him forever. He will learn that he has decisions to make in life.
Let him go. If he's planning on going with other kids his age, then they will need someone to drive them anyways. Why not you?
I have a friend with a son who also loves classic rock. She had the same fears and decided they would make Van Halen a family affair. She said they had a great time. And there were some rowdy people there, but it didn't interfere with their good time. She said that at the AA Center, since it is indoors, drinking was bigger problem than smoking. She felt like the indoor concert was monitored a bit more closely. She said she may consider letting her child go again with friends, but for her piece of mind, she and her husband would get tickets a few rows down, so she could watch them. She isn't concerned about them getting involved in anything elicit, but doesn't want her kid hasseled. I have been to a few concerts there and there is still some pot smoking and drinking, but it's not as prevalent as what I have seen in the outdoor arenas.
Yes, rock concerts are still like that! I, too am into classic rock and started going to concerts when I was his age (am now 31). I was a straight-A student, class president, etc... and confident in who I was (as far as not wanting to damage my brain with drugs), so my Mom fully trusted me. I had a blast at these concerts, drug-free, rocking out with my friends (who were all great students and people as well) and these are some of my favorite memories of high school. In my opinion, what matters is if your child is confident enough in who he is to make the best choices. In my exerience kids who like theselves and have parents who are engaged and open don't get loaded. I had many different types of friends, still do. I also worked in the modeling and movie industry for 12 years. Trust me, I've been exposed to every kind of drug imaginable. But my positive belief in myself and appreciation for my life, without judging others, kept me from dabbling. I hope this helps. If you trust in your son's ability to make good decisions, then by all means let him go! If he's not ready, go with him. He might be opposed to this at first but once he hears that first guitar chord, he won't notice you are there!
Hugs!
Take him just explain to him that there will be some people that are not acting like adults. I think AA is smoke free so hopefully that will help. Of cource there will be people who do it anyway, but what can you do. He will love it!!
I took my 14 yr old & her friend to see Justin Timberlake last March & it was their 1st 'real' concert. I know JT doesn't exactly compare to VH but there's still alcohol involved at any concert. I don't think they let people smoke in the arenas these days. I think they were so in awe of the show that they didn't pay attention to anything else around them. Not that there was any smoking going on but I think your kiddo will be so impressed that he won't really notice. Go with him & see if he can take a friend along & he will be having too much fun to be worried about all the other stuff! Be sure to get him a t-shirt so he can wear it to school the next day, thats part of the fun too. My daughter still loves & wears her JT t-shirt ;~)
