PRIDE survival guide with children

So I have been looking around for things to take to PRIDE.  Kind of like a pride survival list of things I need when attending pride with kids.

I know the basics and I know Pride isn't in some remote desert somewhere that I won't be able to buy anything, but I feel like the always be prepared motto really comes into play when you are in a large crowd with a small child.

So baby girl is 2.  So this is our PRIDE survival guide with children!

Almost everything!

1) Sunscreen.

Sunscreen and hand sanitizer!

The reality is you can never have too much sunscreen.  There is absolutely no reason to burn while out in the sun living it up.  So bring your sunscreen, whatever that may be.  And if you have a particularly pale child, lots of cover up clothing and a hat will probably be very useful.  I find shade at Prides to be lacking.

2) Water.

Yes, you can always buy water at the vendors.  But what we learned last year was that the lines were long.  And I mean Loooooooooong.  Long enough that waiting for just a bottle of water was a waste of time we could have been visiting other vendors.  So bring water.  And with a toddler, bring a cup they can drink out of if they can't drink from a bottle.  I often forget not every child has mastered the drink from an open cup thing like mine has.

3) Snacks.

Much like water, it's just good to always have some.  You never know when the toddler is going to decide she is dying of starvation and much eat now!  And she will just start screaming EAT EAT EAT! at the top of her little lungs.




4) A place to put it all.

We are converting our old diaper bag into a command center for Pride.  It will house all the things we need.  Obviously it's easy to carry and everyone already knows you need a diaper bag with toddlers anyways, so it's not out of place.

5) Extra clothes, diapers, wipes...

Yes, this is not at the top of the list because I debated even putting it in the list.  When you have child, you must always have extra everything they put on their body and ways to clean them.  I feel like this is a gimme, but I'm going to put it so someone doesn't comment about it not being there!  And make sure it's 3 times the amount you think you might need!

6) Bathing suit

No, not everyone will need this, but you never know when a fountain might present itself on a hot day and would you really want to deny your child the joys of getting soaking wet and wearing themselves out in the process?  I wouldn't.  But I also don't want to carry around a went child afterwards, so having clothes they can get wet in is a bonus to not having to carry a wet child.


7) Medicines.

You never know when teething may strike or an owie become an issue.  So always have some acetaminophen and ibuprofen close by.  We carry that and Benadryl at all times.  You just never know!  Add in some band aids, because kiddo is obsessed, and we have our own little first aid kit!

8) Some way to contain them in a crowd.

We have multiple ways we are taking this year... and hopefully one will work.  We plan to have a wagon to carry child and stuff.  Also a great place for her to nap if she becomes tired during the day!  But if she wants to get out and walk around we also plan to have out toddler backpack leash.  Yes, I know leashes for children are super controversial in some circles.  I don't run in those circles, so I couldn't care less what others think of me and my kid with her backpack leash.  We also have a carrier I'm debating throwing in the bag just in case, but that is still being debated at the time of this writing.  You can never have too many ways to contain your child.  One has to work, right?!  Right?!!!!!!!

9) A good attitude.

Look, I know everyone puts this on this list.  But let's be serious for a moment.  Things are gonna go wrong.  It's going to be hot.  The kid is gonna be cranky at some point when she's sleepy.  You cannot control everything, no matter how awesome your bag is packed.  So being able to go with the flow is a must.  This year we are going with a 2 year old (a task itself) but I am also still recovering from the complications from surgery, so we have an added layer of something to watch out for and worry about.  But the point of pride is to get out and meet with community.  To find kin and have a good time.  Making sure you walk out of the house with a good attitude helps that.  It helps everyone to remember what this is about.  This is a riot of community coming together to remind everyone we are still here, we still demand equal rights, and we aren't going anywhere.  So go with that good attitude and have a good time.

It is worth it.  It will always be worth it.