Seeking Advice for My 18 Month Girl

There will be a LOT of little boys and girls waiting for the parade, so definitely take her! She will be interested in just the people. But if you think she will need something to do, get a couple of small board books from the library so she has something new to look at! And bring some snacks too. I would bring a little stroller in case you need to keep her in it with all the people around. Enjoy! She will like the parade (just cover her ears if there are any really loud parts, like fire truck sirens, etc.)

V. (Mom of 3 boys -- ages 4, 3, 1)

L.,
First I want to start by saying Bless you for stepping into this little girls life, she is very lucky to have you to do all those special things for and with her.

I to have an 18 month old and with her and my 4 other children we have found that taking snacks and small books or other toys on outings has always helped pass the time.

Enjoy your time with this little sweetie and hope you have a very merry and blessed Christmas.

I think the Christmas parade will be fun. You can handle an 18month old - grab a stroller - make sure she has warm clothes - and snacks and juice - just in case - and some toys to play with if she gets bored. We used to take ours to the parade when they were small and when my first daugher was 18 months we had another 9 months and 2 boys - 3 & 10 - lol - so it can be done. Harder when you have 4 - but definitely doable with 1.
Good luck
Have fun!
PS - what a blessing your are for this little one. We will pray that her mom gets her head on straight and starts to do what she knows she needs to do. Thanks for stepping up to the plate.
S.

You can bring her lots do but she prob. won't watch all of it and will leave early but it builds a life of getting used to things like parades.

If you live in the Manassas area, they usually show the Manassas parade on Comcast chanel 3. You get to see the parade without the bad weather, noise, people, etc.

M.

sounds like a tough situation! I'm so glad that she has you in her life! My husband is a police officer and is IN some of our town's parades, and so I have taken the boyS by myself. Mine are now 5 and 2! You definitely want a stroller. keep her bundled if its cold, but you could take goldfish or animal crackers and a sippy cup for one thing! Also maybe a couple books in the diaper bag that you could read to her while you wait! If she has a small toy that she really enjoys that would be good too. I hope you have a great time! I commend you for stepping up for this little girl!

My son was that age last year and LOVED the parade. He even fell asleep when the loudest band was marching by :). There is so much to see, it's a great thing to take kids to.

I think she will love the parade. All the things going on, she'll be thrilled. And if it is the Manassas parade, I'm in that one.

Go For It! Just make sure she's bundled up appropriately - don't want her to be too hot or too cold. My niece was 12 months old the first time my sister-in-law and I took her to a parade and she loved watching the bands, cars, clowns, etc go by!