Bringing One Of Your Parents to a Convention

[angelmage99]

Well even then a lot of convention require a parent/guardian to be on site at all times the minor is on site. I used to be the adult for my sister for a short while (we're about two years apart) and for her friends.

I think it's a must that parent/guardian should be there. They are legally responsible for the well being and discipline. In Washington Start a child (16 and under) can not technically enter a story without an adult. Though in practice we don't pull that card unless the child acts up or to discipline a parent for child abandonment.  

[angelmage99]

smithers456

angelmage99

Well even then a lot of convention require a parent/guardian to be on site at all times the minor is on site. I used to be the adult for my sister for a short while (we're about two years apart) and for her friends.

I think it's a must that parent/guardian should be there. They are legally responsible for the well being and discipline. In Washington Start a child (16 and under) can not technically enter a story without an adult. Though in practice we don't pull that card unless the child acts up or to discipline a parent for child abandonment.

At Youmacon I had to have a form filled out for my niece and it had to be signed by my sister. They made it clear that my niece had to be with me at all times. That wasn't a problem because my sister would kill me if something happened to her. My Mom said that my niece was too young to go to the convention (13 years old). It was a harder sell to her than my sister! Yes I admit that Downtown Detroit is not the safest place to be especially at night but I'm pretty good at being aware of my surroundings and had promised my sister that we would leave the con at Sunset. Good advice for people taking kids / teens to a con.

Timing is super important depending on location. When I go to Sakura-Con I leave fairly early in the evening. It's not the safest at night. I also change clothes so if any of my friends stay I'm not walking back in a cosplay. With some cons I'm in more safer areas of course or they're local so I know hen it's time to leave.  

[angelmage99]

smithers456

Fortunately I have lived in the Detroit Metro Area all of my life so I know what area's are safe and what isn't. It can be a Parents nightmare to be on the Detroit People Mover and something happens. The same can be said for subways or the Chicago L-Train. You are basically trapped in them. Planning and getting familiar with the area is very important for safety. Unfortunately Cosplayers can be easy targets if they are not aware. I don't have kids myself but if I was a parent I would go to a convention with my kids whether they like it or not.

If it's just my brother and I going to a convention we usually stay late into the evening. Youmacon I can do that with but not necessarily with others. Also I don't stay at a hotel. It's only a 45 minute drive to Downtown Detroit for me. I really want to go to Anime Central in Chicago. I know that area pretty good too. It's about a 5 hour drive but I would stay at a nearby hotel.

I agree. Even if my kids were 16 (which is the state age for being unsupervised), depending on the where the con is, I would even let them go out of the hotel without me. Of course it's easier when the hotel is attached to the convention center or the convention is in a hotel. That way you know that there are "safer" people all around.

Down side is those hotels usually are more pricey.  

[angelmage99]

smithers456

angelmage99

smithers456

Fortunately I have lived in the Detroit Metro Area all of my life so I know what area's are safe and what isn't. It can be a Parents nightmare to be on the Detroit People Mover and something happens. The same can be said for subways or the Chicago L-Train. You are basically trapped in them. Planning and getting familiar with the area is very important for safety. Unfortunately Cosplayers can be easy targets if they are not aware. I don't have kids myself but if I was a parent I would go to a convention with my kids whether they like it or not.

If it's just my brother and I going to a convention we usually stay late into the evening. Youmacon I can do that with but not necessarily with others. Also I don't stay at a hotel. It's only a 45 minute drive to Downtown Detroit for me. I really want to go to Anime Central in Chicago. I know that area pretty good too. It's about a 5 hour drive but I would stay at a nearby hotel.

I agree. Even if my kids were 16 (which is the state age for being unsupervised), depending on the where the con is, I would even let them go out of the hotel without me. Of course it's easier when the hotel is attached to the convention center or the convention is in a hotel. That way you know that there are "safer" people all around.

Down side is those hotels usually are more pricey.

You talk about pricey. Youmacon is at the Detroit Renaissance Center which has the Detroit Marriot Hotel in the center. I just learned that the Hotel is 73 stories high and is the second tallest all-hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. Youmacon is their and at the TCF Convention Center (Former Cobo Hall) near by. The convention center is really big to. The view of the Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario, Canada is beautiful. It's also a nice backdrop for Cosplay Photos.

For a family of four staying at the Hotel and being at the con for the main 3 days is a fortune. Like most cons you need to reserve rooms up to a year in advance. Youmacon is an international con and we usually get a lot of Canadians at the con and guests from around the World. With all of that going on I can see the stars in the eyes of kids who want to go. I guess I get stars in my eyes too. Stephanie said that someday she will come to Youmacon. It's about a 5 hour drive from Toronto. When I get a passport again I would love to go to Anime North in Toronto. Chicago, Toronto, and Detroit are all worth going to.

For my Niece to go to a con with me she had to get a lot of money and have a Cosplay Outfit made. Fortunately my sister is really good at sewing and patterns. She did one of my outfits. Come to think about I should have her help me with another one. My niece has to earn the money to go. What's sad is that when she became 19 years old I was suddenly out of the picture. She wanted to go with her friends instead of her Uncle. I will get her to come with me again. I might have to bribe her with a Pokemon Plushie. LOL

Yeah the cost can add up. I know that I usually spend at least $50 per cosplay. Depending on the project it's more.

I personally hope when I move that I can make new friends. A lot of people split cost for things like gas and hotel to keep the overall cost per person down.  

[angelmage99]

smithers456

$50 seems to be a low price to me. Since you are an expert in my mind, I can see you pulling it off. For a parent to go to a convention you need an understanding. Sometimes a kid wants to go but is annoyed that he / she has to take their parent along. On the other side a parent needs to be willing to go to the convention. There is a lot of things to consider. If the parent happens to be a fan of Anime and Cosplay, then that works out really well. Some kids might have to make it their parents while to go. My wife basically tells me that Anime and Cosplay is my thing. If she went though, it would be to check out the artist alley / crafting area because she is into making crafts.

I also sew most of my stuff and look for things that are on sale as well to be fair. I also have to think about the wig too. A good wig is usually about $25 so. Most of my cost can come wigs.

I agree. It easier if the parent is willing to come. You can support your child without having to go to every cosplay event. My mom was worried even when I started to go at 18. She asked a family friend to watch out for me since he was going to the con too. Same con I learned to play DnD.  

[angelmage99]

smithers456

I haven't needed a wig yet. My own hair is just fine. I'm trying to figure out who to cosplay next. Sasuke (From Boruto), Ash (Pokemon), Yugi (Yu-Gi-oh!), Subaru (re:zero - one of my new favorites). It all depends on what you can pull off. Re:Zero I've seen a lot ofRem Maid Cosplays for some time on Instagram. It made me curious. I found a Blu Ray copy of the first season at Best Buy. Now I'm hooked. I don't know if I want to die for a "Do-Over" but it's an interesting idea. It reminds me of the Groundhog movie. I think that I could pull off a Subaru Cosplay if I suck in my stomach. LOL Right now I don't have any money for an outfit.

When it comes to Cosplay Outfits that could be a deal breaker for a parent. I can see a kid crying or a teen whining about that. I have gone to a con before not wearing a cosplay outfit. Also an outfit especially for a girl needs to be appropriate so it doesn't draw a lot of unwanted attention. A parent can be upset about that too. Years ago I saw too parents cosplaying (one Chi from chobits) pushing their baby in a carriage. An added touch was that the baby carriage was the same color as her outfit.

My #1 advice to anyone who wants to cosplay is to develop the skills. You'll find it easier to save money that way. Right now my husband is learning more about leather working while I'm going to start learning about using Resin soon.

I think it's important not to force a younger child to cosplay, but I do plan on making outfits for when I finally have a child. I already have a list going. Like Gohan/Chichi/Goku, Sailor Moon/Mini Moon/Tuxedo Mask, Koenma/Botan.  

[angelmage99]

smithers456

angelmage99

My #1 advice to anyone who wants to cosplay is to develop the skills. You'll find it easier to save money that way. Right now my husband is learning more about leather working while I'm going to start learning about using Resin soon.

I think it's important not to force a younger child to cosplay, but I do plan on making outfits for when I finally have a child. I already have a list going. Like Gohan/Chichi/Goku, Sailor Moon/Mini Moon/Tuxedo Mask, Koenma/Botan.

I bet your kid / kids would look really cool in Cosplay Outfits. I do agree that Cosplay is for the fun of it and never forced. I've read about some adults being in a group cosplay where they are forced to cosplay as a certain character.

As for Cosplay Outfit Creation Skills. planning on what you want to do is important. Having good photos online of other cosplayers doing the same outfit and or some photos / drawing from an art book.

Agreed. Forcing makes people miserable. Like if my kid wants to do a different show then I do, then so be it. I'll help them make the costume anyways.

Well even then. Developing new ways of doing things or learning to mold fabrics in different ways, I only recently learned to do bias tape properly.