Kids and Speakers By Gail Davis | Tuesday, May 25, 2010
We have all been there. Sitting in an audience hearing a compelling message and wishing our children had the opportunity to experience the message.
I have two sons in their 20s. They have grown up hearing speakers. I have taken Nando Parrado to their middle school, varsity football team locker rooms … they’ve had incredible opportunities.
I have seen a trend that more and more companies and associations are inviting entire families to hear speakers or adding an additional session with the speaker for children of employees or members.
So the question arises, when is an event is appropriate for children? How do you decide if the topic and content is family friendly?
Step #1: Ask the speaker. The speaker knows their topic and the considerations. Get their input. If they give you a minimum age, respect and enforce it.
I have several speakers who welcome kids but have identified minimum age limits. It is frustrating when an attendee thinks that the age limit cannot possible apply to their child. Why ask if you aren’t going to honor it?
Nando Parrado says age 13 and above. Why? Ironically it is not the nutritional component of the story but rather the unsettling response from younger kids who have parents that travel for a living. Without the maturity to understand that the crash in the Andes was pilot error, some kids wake up at night in fear their parents will die in a crash. I know this from personal experience when I took Nando to my own sons’ local middle school. There is a reason we say 13 and above.
Kristina Wandzilak says age 13 and above. Why? She has some tough material. She is a mother of a 10 year old son. She would not discuss some of her material in front of her own son. We need to trust her judgment and honor her request for minimum of age 13. If not, she edits her comments and the entire audience gets a watered down presentation. Kristina also request that all parents read The Lost Years in advance and encourage the kids to read the book. That makes for a more meaningful experience and provides the platform for great dialogue between parents and children on the topic.
Cathleen Lewis and her son, Rex Lewis-Clack , provide a great program for families. Cathleen requests 3rd grade and above. Why? Because Cathleen is a Rex’s mom, she knows that once children get into third grade they have been exposed to children with differences and can enjoy the music rather than be distracted by Rex’s blindness. Again, Cathleen knows what works.
Step #2: Ask yourself if the event format works for kids. Is it a school night? What time does it end? Will the children be eating the adult menu? If so, will they enjoy it and does that work for the budget? It is highly possible, young adults might prefer pizza in a separate room with an opportunity to discuss the speaker amongst their peers.
In the end, inviting families to experience a speaker together can be a great gift to your organization. It allows the entire family to not only connect in a meaningful way, but shows an investment in the employee or member’s family. Just be sure you follow these guidelines to ensure your event’s success.
ANGELINE NORTON Says: Tuesday, June 01, 2010 at 1:27:00 AM
I do not think I have seen this said in such a way before. You actually have clarified this for me. Thanks!
2.
Scott Leonard Says: Monday, June 07, 2010 at 7:42:00 AM
Gail,
Wow - that makes so much sense. We've never actually had a request for children to attend a session, so your article provides food for thought!
We do have Flight Plan for Life, a program designed specifically to apply Flawless Execution to the important components of teens' lives, but we've not contemplated how our messaging at a keynote would be perceived by teens and possibly younger children. We'll definitely conduct some open planning around how to address the opportunity.
Thanks so much, Scott Leonard Afterburner
Nando Parrado shows kids his crash site
Kristina Wandzilak & Constance Curry sign books for kids
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