When my daughter was one, I bedazzled her baby carrier with Yes! badges and brought her canvassing for the marriage equality referendum.
It was a great experience. We went door to door encouraging people to make 'grá the law', and one young couple even let me change her nappy in their home.
Mini-activism can be a great way to encourage kindness and empathy in our littles ones.
This year, The Dublin Pride Parade will have food, music and above all: colour. In fact, I cannot think of a more colourful day. It is also a great way to introduce your little ones to the LGBTQ community if they do not already have a connection.
This Saturday, June 24th, we will be joining the tens of thousands of people that are expected to turn up to year’s Pride Parade in Dublin City Centre.
The parade itself will start at 2pm sharp from Stephens Green South. The route will be different from other years because of ongoing works with the Luas Cross City Project. You can get the map here.
Now I know from attending other parades and marches that little ones can become a little disagreeable if they have to wait around (think Stitch when Lilo gives him a can of Coke). I brought my daughter to the Women’s March earlier this year.
A small green park in the city centre became the stage for a tantrum. She also devised a cunning plan to escape the chains of toddlerhood by sneaking through the legs of fellow ralliers. My little rebel.
Anyone who has been to the St Patrick's Day Parade with a toddler will have the back pain to prove it. So, there are a few different things you could to do this year to avoid waiting around (and future hip replacements)
You could head to the Green for the pre-parade rally which starts at 12 pm and watch the parade take off at 2 pm. You could also follow the parade at a later stage in the route and wind up in Smithfield for street food and events (you can bet my daughter will spot the ice-cream van a mile off).
So, what should you bring?
It’s June in Ireland, and even though the weather is playing mind games with us right now, it’s best to be prepared. That means raincoats and even wellies should be considered as well as a sun hat and suncream.
If your child can handle the responsibility of holding a flag, shops in the city centre are selling rainbow ones at the moment for only about €2, as well as a range of Pride-themed items like face paint!
You can bring a buggy (many do) but if you have a carrier, you will find it easier to manoeuvre around the crowd. If you do bring buggies you can guarantee your kids will want a better view at some stage and will make sure they get the best seat in the house: your shoulders. If this is the case, snacks like popcorn and rice cakes should be avoided for anyone who doesn't want the snowy dandruff look.
Hopefully, the weather will hold up, but if not, we are all used to rain-soaked festivities and it won't get us down!
FYI, if you are heading to Pride on Saturday, security will be high and bags bigger than size A4 will not be allowed.
However, they will make an exception for families! You can get more info here.
Happy Pride!
