Photography courtesy of Liz Darby
My daughter’s love for Taylor Swift reached obsession level during 2020 and 2021 (a.k.a. peak pandemic). At the time, we would have said anything to make her feel better about being homebound. So when she asked (repeatedly), “Can we see Taylor Swift?” we replied, “As soon as she is able to tour again.” Flash-forward to November 2022, when we successfully fought and won the Ticketmaster War to secure tickets for our 6-year-old. After telling her the news for her birthday, we had three months to prepare. We were nervous, we learned a lot, and it was an overall memorable experience. For music-loving parents, it's well worth it with a little planning.
Photography courtesy of Liz Darby
1) Prepare your child for what to expect. No matter how prepared you are, walking into the upper level of an NFL stadium with 70,000 screaming fans is overwhelming. So we scrolled concert posts on Instagram and TikTok, listened to songs from the setlist, and watched music videos to help get her ready for the magnitude of the show. We also bought the clear bag required for the stadium and headphones to protect her ears. We packed a cooler full of drinks and snacks for the inevitable wait in the parking lots. We planned comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate outfits. We did our best to control everything possible, so her inevitable nerves were at a minimum.
Photography courtesy of Liz Darby
2.) Triple-check the essentials before walking into the venue. We forgot her headphones in the car. Luckily, my husband found the Fans First booth, which provided information, first aid, and ear plugs (for adults, but they worked for our daughter). Any protection from the noise levels was better than none—it was incredibly loud, even in the open-air stadium. The re-entry policy was complicated, and this saved us a ton of extra steps back to the car. We also attached an air tag to her shoe, just in case. It was never needed, because we held hands, but it gave us extra peace of mind. Also helpful: leaving the day of the show open for last-minute details, such as buying a new denim jacket for our perpetually cold kid because it was a rare 60-degree night in July. “Mom, I am cold” complaints avoided. Wet wipes were another last-minute addition and came in handy for sticky hands from sno cones and popcorn. (No matter how much kids love Taylor Swift, they probably love snacks more.) And keep in mind that vendors close early, so consider packing extra granola bars, which would have been game-changing during that last-hour stretch.
Photography courtesy of Liz Darby
3.) Get some rest before the concert. A day-of nap was essential, even for a 6-year-old. The show itself was three and a half hours, and we arrived two hours early to allow time to park and get to our seats. Then, after the show, we had another 30-minute walk to the car and an hour-long wait to get out of the lot. She needed the energy, and we needed to avoid dealing with a crabby kid.
4.) Be prepared for bathroom breaks. My husband and I took turns taking our daughter to the bathroom, though it never presented much of a problem. I took her with me, and my husband found a family bathroom for his turn. (Apparently no one leaves their seats during a Taylor Swift show, so we never waited in a line.)
Photography courtesy of Liz Darby
5.) Make it personal. There are things we would have done for any show, and then there are the things that were Eras Tour specific. We spent months planning sparkly outfits and bedazzling her shoes. Creating the perfect bejeweled look helped her feel like a part of the night’s vibe. I packed replacement sticky jewels in case any fell off her face and hair, as well as extra hair ties. But it was the friendship bracelets that made the biggest difference. From the moment the tour was announced, Swifties embraced one of the lyrics from the song "You're On Your Own, Kid" and made friendship bracelets. The trend is as simple as it sounds: Fans make beaded bracelets with song titles, lyrics, albums, and phrases. They then bring them to the show and exchange them, similar to camp or school. It was the perfect activity to spark excitement in a 6-year-old, and we made a ton of them. Armed with a bag full, she was approached by other fans from the parking lot to our seats. By the time we sat down, she had an arm full of beads and a shiny distraction from any anxiety that the size of the crowd may have caused. The bracelets spurred her to interact with others, feel like a part of something cool, and provided a sort of built-in fidget toy.
Overall, we made it through the experience with minimum panic or whining. Although there were moments of doubt and worry leading up to the show, seeing her face and watching her sing along to the songs was worth every bit of planning. If you can see your child's favorite artist, consider making plans. You'll never forget it, and they'll never stop talking about it.
