ACOT Message Board

 Dh wants to take my 3 yr old to the local park tonight for fireworks at dusk (around 9pm?). I will stay home as that is the baby's bed time.

Is 3 too young for fireworks? My ds is on the Autism spectrum, not sure if that matters.

I guess if Connor is freaked out they could just leave.

 One of my kids was young (3ish) and didn't like them..the other one loved them.. We just made a big deal about them with "ooooo" 'AHHHH" and "Boom!"  It ended up being fun! Happy Canada Day!!!

 no, as long as the noise doesn't scare him it would be great!  its a special ocasion and he would be thrilled!

 As long as the fireworks are in the air, and not right in front of him, he should be ok Rhonda.

We have been doing fireworks at home for years and the reaction of three year olds has run the whole spectrum, but when we turn to watch the ones in the air, they all calm down and love them!

Is your son ok with loud noises?

 My dd and the neighbors dd were scred by the noise but loved the fireworks-- so we use ear covers-- the ones my dh uses for mowing the lawn and now they both love them-- the scary part is taken away.  I would reccomend this to anyone with little ones who might be scare of the noise-- as it has saved the last 2 4th's for a few of our friends.

 My niece (she was 3 last year) loves the fireworks, but hates the noise. She is scared of thunderstorms and the noise from fireworks scares her the same way. But she loves to watch them The ear covers are a great idea!! Never thought of that...we'll try that this year.

 It depends.  My DS#1 hated fireworks and is almost 6 and last summer was the first one he didn't cry during the whole show.  When he was 4 we went the the park and he hid under a blanket and cried.  My other DS on the other hand has always LOVED fireworks even when he was a baby.  So I think it depends on the child.

My Best friend has a son on the spectrum and she takes him, but they have ear-phones to put on his ears so the sound isn't so loud.  She says very loud noises trigger his system and then he has to be removed from the situation and she has to help him practice is coping techniques. 

I would say let Dh take him and if it isn't working out, have him plan on bringing him home, you never know what is going to happen unless you try and that goes for ANY child!  Best of luck!

 I think your idea that if he gets freaked out they could leave is a good one.  I think it depends on the kid...mine have all pretty much loved them...last year the littlest was 2 and was thrilled!  But I know some kids could get a little scared of the booms.

GL!  I hope he likes 'em!!

My son was afraid and didn't seem to enjoy them until he was around seven. I felt like it was torture for him when we would go. He would just stay in my lap, hugging and clinging to me, and alternate putting his hands over his ears. He would not even turn to look at them.

 we've taken my kids every year to the fireworks, X loved them at 2, he didnt understand them at 1. Alicia was just a couple months old and slept threw it last year. We will see how it goes!

 My ds used to be scared of loud noises but he has really come around this year. We do have ear phones just in case.

I really hope he enjoys the fireworks.

 My dd had liked them since she was about 3. Before the noise cared her.

Maybe get some earplugs... That helped w/my kids. They loved the fireworks, but not the noise.

My mom wouldn't let me light fireworks till i was 7 yaers old and my brother started at 5 years old that's not fair but that's life for me i think at age 6 yaers old but if she is still scared of loud noises th en 7 years ol.


       

 3 yrs old is fine as long as you can leave if he gets scared.  Last year was the 1st year we actually got to GO see fireworks. My DD is 11 years old and has hated the noise all her life.  We tried earplugs and headphones a couple of times. They worked as long as we weren't close to the display.  My 8 year old loves fireworks and we always felt it was unfair to her that we'd stay home. We'll try again this year.

 Coming from a mom of an autistic kid, I would ask is he hearing sensitive?  It would also depend on how close you are.   I have taken Aaron before and when we were far away from the ignition site it was fine, but once, and only once we were closer and the noise (loud booms and bangs)  really bothered him. 

You know Connor best and what he can handle!

 ArmyWife, he is not hearing sensitive but I'll mention to dh not to sit close to where they light them. Thanks for the suggestion!

 Aaaww, I hope he enjoys them. I remember being scared when I was little but everyone is different.

 Rhonda, how did he make out? Did he enjoy them?

We went to ours and they were awesome...'cept those pesky skeeters...