I did a birthday party for about 25 kids most around 6 yrs and most girls, got plenty of hugs. But I had to tell you guys this. Had one little girl come and pull on my skirt and she told me "I don't like clowns" I told her I was sorry but I hope she like me, and I got a hug from her too. Aren't they so cute. I got so tickled instead of Sallybangs I kept getting Miss Sally.

that is one of the reasons that I love doing birthday parties. the hugs are great. being a guy, high fives are just as good. with all the problems today, we have to be carefull.

I agree with you on that one Baloo. When I hug a child I turn my body sideways so it the side of my body making contact and my hands are always visible! It’s sad we have to take these precautions but you need to protect yourself.

I use to drive school bus and we got a one hour lecture on how hugging was wrong, I had to get special permission to give high fives on the bus. now thats going too far, in my humble opinion

Yep I do also feel this worry. Next to being clown I also work in a children care centre. Because of some people with wrong intentions you constantly have to be so seriously aware of what you are doing in the case of giving physical attention to children. About this bus I can asure you it's not only your humble opinion. If I wouldn't be alowed to give a child a hug I couldn't do my job properly. It's a shame though that as a man you have to be so aware if you like working with children.

I did a birthday party for about 25 kids most around 6 yrs and most girls, got plenty of hugs. But I had to tell you guys this. Had one little girl come and pull on my skirt and she told me "I don't like clowns" I told her I was sorry but I hope she like me, and I got a hug from her too. Aren't they so cute. I got so tickled instead of Sallybangs I kept getting Miss Sally.
Nice one Sally. Must have felt so good if you can overcome someones dislike or fear. These experiences are the creams on the pie as we say in Holland.

Thats awesome. I have a couple of gigs coming up. Can't wait!

These experiences are the creams on the pie as we say in Holland.

I think I'll adopt that saying OkiDoki :)

When I'm in the pediatric wing, the kids love to hug Dr. Scribbles the puppet. It's pretty safe. The kids give all the affection.

Hey let's face it, there are weirdos out there. I did a 6 month nursing gig in a 1400 bed prison some time ago. Amazingly, it's the nicest acting, fatherly type and innocent looking inmates that are the predators. Most children would walk right up to them without any fear. Street smart kids may not though. I like shy kids.

Whaenever I do a party I let the person that hires me know there must be an adult in the room at all times
This is for the childrens protection as well as my own
I know this a sad way of doing things but its the way it must be

I'm careful and don't request hugs it was spontaneous as I was walking through the room several came up with arms out reached and got me actually, But you are all right can't be to careful these days. It was just so funny, her words then her reaction. Don't really know if I won her over or she just copied her friends, but it was different, I'm mean I've had them be scared, then get used to me. It was her choice of words I think, not "I'm scared of clown" but the "I don't like clowns".

last year when i did a earth day gig I painted a lil boys face then he wanted a pic so he posed with me & we got out pic taken. he started to walk off then whiped around & gave me a big hug. when i was clown classes we were told when pose for pics with people we have to keep both our hands where they can be seen that is kinda sad i thought

when in doubt, give the kid a big ole hug. He initiated it. Just leave his back to the camera so they can see those big bad hands.

You have to protect yourself. If you are out there entertaining for money and you do not have insurance you are asking for a lawsuit!

last year when i did a earth day gig I painted a lil boys face then he wanted a pic so he posed with me & we got out pic taken. he started to walk off then whiped around & gave me a big hug. when i was clown classes we were told when pose for pics with people we have to keep both our hands where they can be seen that is kinda sad i thought

It is sad but but you can never be too carefull you have to protect yourself there are alot of cazy people in the world and there is no way of knowing what some one is capeable of just by looking so its best to not give any room for questions

I find it terrible that the actions of a few hamper us from doing something that we all love! I have been on the recieving end of numerous hugs from little kids, but always because they have hugged me..... And like you guys said, i always turn sideways, and keep my hands where EVERYONE can see them.

Even when doing pics, either with kids OR adults, i always keep one hand away, and the other is usually making the bunny ears behind the head....

The more i think about this the sadder i get....... cant believe we have to be THIS careful, simply because of a few weirdos.

Hey Sue!!! That is awesome!! I love it when the scared ones come around and end up liking you! Love the hugs too!! I don't use any caution or rules when I hug. I hug close and tight and warm and loving and I say come and sue me if you really want!!! Kids so desperately need this kind of attention! I know God will honor and protect me! Been doin' it 20 years and no complaints yet!

I find it terrible that the actions of a few hamper us from doing something that we all love! The more i think about this the sadder i get....... cant believe we have to be THIS careful, simply because of a few weirdos.


Timmy, I feel the same way out the government this time of the year. Well actually most of the year, just this tax season "chaps my hide and frosts my top." Next year I'll know more and be better prepared. I usually do my own taxes but there is always some new twist.:(

I battled with the hug issue for a long time. Hugs were pretty far and few between. I wanted to do what was right. If they down right came up to me for a hug I sure didn't stop. But there was always that tug at my heart, that question. I asked God about it.Honestly I felt I should accept and do it alot more often. Then a patron of one of the restaurants gave me a confirmation I was looking for, without my even bringing it up, they said I needed to hug more. He noticed how tender and sweet the children are and really needed the love from Miss Priss and from a very nice clown. Kids need love, and quite frankly I needed a hug me own self. From then one, I've gotten in the habit of watching for kids that want a hug. I do it. It may be a quick one, it may not be a close one. Sometime's it a real hug. There's always someone around anyways. Give me a break, it doesn't look offensive. It's a precious site. Yes, I'm a female clown. I suppose that does seem different weather it should or not. Hugs warm my heart. It's like a little battery charger for me. I don't have kids. It keeps me going. It's called Love and it's sometime expressed in the form of a hug. I don't go around hugging everybody. I guess if something wanted to look bad, it would look more funny if I were to go around hugging the DAds and teenagers. I don't think so! So, I've worked it out in my heart and mind. That is what works for me. Thanks.

:cry: It's such a shame it has to be like that though. The worst thing is we haven't done anything wrong it's just the occasional person that thinks a clown outfit is a good disguise and goes around doing the wrong thing. And bad movies. Curse you Pennywise.

Penny wise and pound foolish. I keep telling myself I'm going on a diet.

sorry but I think it the guys that have to be more careful, fair or not, that's society.

I love to see a shy one come around by the end of a party, I love to hug too, not so much children but all people. So when approached by a child to hug at the end of a party, I look to the adults and just raise my eyebrows a little to see if they acknowledge, if they nod yes I will go down on one knee to make myself more the height, then I will be slightly sideways as well, using only one arm to pretty much pat them on the back or shoulders like two guys would do. As long as I know I have adult approval and can keep the kids from hugging me in a standing position, I feel that it's okay. Sometimes there's such paranoia about the whole thing... It's a shame the world has to be this way. A hug like a smile can generate a great positive feed to people. well just my input on this topic.