There are so many reasons to love weddings and be able to share a couple’s big day filled with love and laughter is a special time for everyone. While weddings are about friends and family, there are many couples who stick with just allowing children in the immediate family and ask guests to leave their own offspring at home. That’s great news for most parents who can enjoy the celebrations without worrying about their child. For some couples though, the day would not be complete without being surrounded by friends and families, including the youngest. That’s why if you’re one of those parents taking your young child, you need our handy guide to surviving a wedding with a toddler.
Toddler Wedding Survival Kit
Loosen Up
As much as you’d rather they nap, chances are the excitement will be all too much and your little one will love the chance to run around and explore. While you’ll want to keep them a little quieter during the service itself, you have full permission to loosen the routine and do whatever it takes to get through the day, including a huge amount of snacks, bribery, and distractions.
If your toddler is only allowed their pacifier for naps, consider letting them have it for the duration of the service. It’s not a permanent change and doesn’t mean you can’t reinforce your rules again the following day.
Approach your organization to the day as you would a long plane journey. Have your toddler in comfortable clothes and get your travel bag wedding-ready. You’ll need the usual nappies and wipes if needed but throw in a lot of snacks and a lot of toys; some old and some new to unwrap.
Playtime
Chances are that the bride and groom, having created a child-friendly wedding will be happy to have children making noise at the reception and might even have provided some entertainment for them.
While the speeches might be the time for a little silence, allow your child some space and time to roam and explore, expelling some of that excited energy. If you’re at the wedding with your partner or spouse, make sure the childcare duties are split evenly, allowing you both a little time off to enjoy the wedding bands.
Weddings with small children can be a real challenge and a point of stress for parents who spend much of the day chasing and pacifying small children. The key is to be prepared and to have some plans in place should your child not cope well with staying still in the service. Make sure you know where the nearest exits are and sit close enough that you can leave quickly and quietly should you need to.
Get your bag packed full of exciting and quiet things to do that will adequately distract and entertain your toddler throughout the day. But most importantly, try to relax. All families with children will understand the challenges and there’ll be someone willing to play a game of catch and give you a break for a while. Enjoy a day filled with love and laughter together as a family.
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