kitty fabulous
08-20-2006, 07:35 AM
The few hours I had my kids with me yesterday went well. I figure this is probably a life they should get used to, so I want to try to create safe habits for them now. Boulder Fest is a small, new festival where most of the staff & many of the vendors already know me and even the kids, so it's a good place to practice. Sure, they should stay with me, but better safe than sorry, just in case we get separated.
I made a point of introducing myself & the kids to the security guards at the gate when they arrived. I made sure they knew where my pop-up is and who our neighboring vendors are. They can't miss the coffee shop, and many of the people there know them, but they've just remodelled & it's chaotic in there when busy which can be confusing to kids so I'm making sure they recognize the staff's badges & t-shirts and know at least Lyjah's name. They should also know where the front gate security guards and the main festival tent are, and which stage we are near.
If we're vending at a market on a regular basis, I want them to know who to ask for, where our usual spot is, neighboring vendors, and the names of the people in charge, who should meet them too, if possible.
I made them badges to wear that say "HI! My name is --- and my mommy is Lizzy, the hemp vendor in the blue pop-up." I included my cell phone number (which they should memorize) and taped my business card to the back.
To keep them busy I have markers and index cards to make signs & pictures on, and I'm planning on letting them decorate some bags for me with the markers or rubber stamps, so they feel like they are helping with my business. Lyjah's wife (who told me her name 3 times & I still keep forgetting it! http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/embarassed.gif ) said that Damien could have a little "lemonade stand" in front of my pop-up if he wants. That will work for Boulder Fest because it's a small, local festival but I'm technically not a food vendor so I'm trying to teach him to knot so he can feel like he's helping me keep up production, too, and even sell his own work for his own spending money if he wants, learning the business. Keeping the little one (age 4) busy might be more of a challenge.
Any other tips from families who vend would be appreciated!
I made a point of introducing myself & the kids to the security guards at the gate when they arrived. I made sure they knew where my pop-up is and who our neighboring vendors are. They can't miss the coffee shop, and many of the people there know them, but they've just remodelled & it's chaotic in there when busy which can be confusing to kids so I'm making sure they recognize the staff's badges & t-shirts and know at least Lyjah's name. They should also know where the front gate security guards and the main festival tent are, and which stage we are near.
If we're vending at a market on a regular basis, I want them to know who to ask for, where our usual spot is, neighboring vendors, and the names of the people in charge, who should meet them too, if possible.
I made them badges to wear that say "HI! My name is --- and my mommy is Lizzy, the hemp vendor in the blue pop-up." I included my cell phone number (which they should memorize) and taped my business card to the back.
To keep them busy I have markers and index cards to make signs & pictures on, and I'm planning on letting them decorate some bags for me with the markers or rubber stamps, so they feel like they are helping with my business. Lyjah's wife (who told me her name 3 times & I still keep forgetting it! http://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/embarassed.gif ) said that Damien could have a little "lemonade stand" in front of my pop-up if he wants. That will work for Boulder Fest because it's a small, local festival but I'm technically not a food vendor so I'm trying to teach him to knot so he can feel like he's helping me keep up production, too, and even sell his own work for his own spending money if he wants, learning the business. Keeping the little one (age 4) busy might be more of a challenge.
Any other tips from families who vend would be appreciated!