Am I a terrible person for this?

[mcrracer]

This is ridiculous that you have had to put up with this crap this long...
As the father of four now grown kids who all survived...get a roll of duct tape and tape their asses to a chair until practice is over!

 

[mambo4]

I voted for finding another band.
You need to realize that you actually don't love playing with them : you used to love it.
Maybe give them a heads up and gently tell them why, but don't stick it out cause it used to be great.

 

[Alucard817]

Dude say something!!!!! seriously

I'm one of the few people who cant stand kids, i would say something immediately. tel the guys that you cant consentrate with the little terrors around and they are destructive

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

You'll just get frustrated to the point where you'll just say something you'll regret. And it'll be out of anger. I'd choose a quiet conversation over a big 3 on 1 argument any day.......

 

[magickbass]

Whether you wind up in the band or not is incidental at this point, you NEED to tell them about their unruly children. Put the ball in their court.

 

[SMILEYSIXX]

Do the kids' parents not say anything? At age 6 and 8, the idea of "respect other peoples' property" should be something a child understands. I don't care what age someone is, acting like that just isn't necessary. I've dealt with younger cousins doing stuff like that, but as soon as they do something, their parents are their to discipline them, and that's the way it should be. If the guys you're playing with aren't willing to say something to their kids, speak up.

 

[Gus Borden]

Hey, just make it easy, tell them that you'd prefer the rehearsals to be "just the band" so you can get work done.

Or have an honest conversation with them and tell them exactly what was in your OP.

It's rehearsal, not romper room. But you don't have to be a doosh to get your point across, you know?

And if the other people in the band don't like what you gave to say, put them in time out.

But really, just talk to them - if they really are "good blokes" it shouldn't be a problem to talk to them about it.

 

[taphappy]

"Naw, maaan. They're free spirits, maaan! Property is just a concept manufactured by the MAN to bring YOU down, man..."

 

[Ric5]

Lol, yep it does sound like a bar! But I'm nowhere near ready for gigs yet, and kinda feel like I'm already playing one every week, but for faster, smaller, and higher pitched people!

Except unruley kids are better behaved than many drunks.

 

[bluewine]

Since your not a working band right now and your doing this for fun and to become a better player I would not make a anything of it.

If you become a working band then everything changes.At that point it should be no children, wives or girl friends at rehearsals unless you get it approved my the band leader berfore hand.

Blue

 

[Bubumaster]

got a solution: Play Station 2

 

[GianGian]

I can't stand bad behavioured kids. I would definitely tell them. Hard to find bands in the UK? Try another city, the whole island is so small anyway, nothing is very far. No disrespect intended.

 

[electracoyote]

But... they've now started bring their kids to practice every week. The two older ones I don't mind so much (early teens) as they sit down and just listen and are calm and all that. But there are two younger ones as well, around 6 and 8, who don't stop running around, screaming, jumping about.... it gets worse... grabbing the spare mics and screaming into them, running up to the drum kit and hitting the cymbals and banging on the piano (this is all while we're halfway through trying to play songs!) and the worst thing is... no matter where I sit or stand, they bump into my back, bodge my arms, smack my headstock... it's impossible to play or concentrate.

Open rehearsals. Ouch. In my experience they almost always lead to distraction, wasted time, frustration, and even break-ups. IMHO, you have every right to be frustrated. I go so far as to ask about a band's policy on open rehearsals before joining.

Since you're already in, it's your choice to either shut up and tolerate ongoing frustration and compromised productivity at rehearsals, or speak up. I would speak up. And I would say it is a distraction to you and you suspect it is a distraction to the band as a unit. Since you all share the goal of getting enough good music together to perform in public, open rehearsals are only slowing you down. Voice your thoughts in a non-confrontational way.

Get it out in the open and let the chips fall where they will.

 

[1stOfficerRiker]

I don't know if I could discipline them myself. I don't have kids and wouldn't know how to.
I guess it also doesn't help that I'm mildly autistic.

Apart from being afraid to put my bass down in case it gets knocked over, and not being able to concentrate, I also don't want to injure any of the kids by accidentally knocking them with my bass, or them tripping over my cables etc.

Yeah but an accident like this would only take them one time to learn their lesson. JK!

 

[nerfbass]

Maybe it's time to introduce a couple of kids to the sedative properties of benadryl in their juice.

 

[Genericbassname]

Maybe it's time to introduce a couple of kids to the sedative properties of benadryl in their juice.

Honestly, with the number of happy pills kids these days are on, you're probably gonna need chloroform.

 

[bass.monger]

personally i dont particularly tolerate children, it hard enuff to get practice around my little cuzins when ever im out that way. What you should do is tell them about it. If they dont like it, then bring in a bass with explicit sexual material on it, and your pet pittbull. I guarantee there wont be any children there the next time

 

[ric stave]

Since your not a working band right now and your doing this for fun and to become a better player I would not make a anything of it.

If you become a working band then everything changes.At that point it should be no children, wives or girl friends at rehearsals unless you get it approved my the band leader berfore hand.

Blue

I don't agree.

True, it's not a rehearsal situation, it's a get together and play/jam thing. But if the OP is not comfortable or enjoying the get togethers anymore because the situation's changed he has every right to say something. It doesn't matter if they are playing to look forward to playing out somewhere else, or just playing for fun - nobody should have to put up with that if it's not fun anymore.

To the OP - I think the other guys will understand if you just be honest with them and tell them your feelings and concerns. If they don't, then it's probably time to put an end to it.

 

[Scott1]

I don't agree.

True, it's not a rehearsal situation, it's a get together and play/jam thing. But if the OP is not comfortable or enjoying the get togethers anymore because the situation's changed he has every right to say something. It doesn't matter if they are playing to look forward to playing out somewhere else, or just playing for fun - nobody should have to put up with that if it's not fun anymore.

To the OP - I think the other guys will understand if you just be honest with them and tell them your feelings and concerns. If they don't, then it's probably time to put an end to it.

+1
Speak up to the band members. Their reaction will give you your next move.

 

[Marko 1]

“Hey guys, you know I love jamming here, and I love these kids, but as much as I’ve been trying to get used to them playing here like this, I’m finding it’s just too unnerving for me to handle. Believe me, I tried, but it’s not working.

I’m not expecting you guys to change everything just for me, but I have to say that if this is gonna continue, as much as it breaks my heart, I’m gonna have to bow out after this session,

and whatever happens, no hard feelings, eh.”



Hopefully they’ll figure something out, I know that would drive my crazy.

At least one poster had a great idea of some kinda video game thingie that often mesmerizes kids for a few hours.

Best of luck to ya...