Sapphire Sue (Love that picture, girl!) brought up a good point I needed to ask about.

I've had a number of moms with younger babies, 2 and younger, that just won't take no for an answer when it comes to making their children a balloon. I offer cartoon cards that I also make with the children's fingerprints using kid friendly ink, and then I draw an animal or character of their choice. I have magnets on these to put them on the fridge at home, along of course with my name and number on them for promotions. I try to offer these for the young child instead of balloons, explaining the risk involved with biting.

I've had cases in which the young child has an older sibling, has already gotten a ballon for them, and comes back for another one. I have turned them away, with a cartoon card, mind you, but I had one last week that then brought her mother, and she then demanded I make one for her. I knew what was going to happen, and so politely warned her of the dangers of ballon biting. I even made it a little patter for her, at the same time trying to get the message across.

How do you guys handle situations like this?

Goodness, Bips! I haven't had that problem yet. I can't imagine a parent being so obnoxious, but I guess that just happens. Hang in there. I'm sure there are more experienced clowns here that will have suggestions.
Jubilee

Is it because so many younger parents don't think about such things? Let face it, the majority of us are older an are parents too. We have been in the trenches so to speak. Do you think its because we know from experience. It could be the thing to do to get Bubba's button about no balloons for kids under three., Or have something else planned. (I like your idea Bips) I've been know to hand it to the parents and tell them they can beak very easily, so watch mouths. I'd like to find some sort of small stuffed trinket for them. but it would have to cost next to nothing to make it comparable with the cost of an animal balloon.

I come across this problem regularly at the Pizza resteraunt where I clown. Fortunately The current manager has small children and is aware of the risk so he backs me up in a crunch. However whatever way you handle it you have to be firm for the child's sake. I think I will start learning origami. I could fold the napkins instead. :D

To be honest, I avoid just doing balloon animals if I can, not just because of this, but it can get boring and at a festival they'll work you to death. I'm usually very firm, and have has mothers walk off in a huff. I have given a way small blow up balls, not balloon, but only for the young ones. Check out Oriental express , I can't think of the other mag. but you can get things by the gross real inexpensive, we order a few things at time to use as give aways on a one on one basis, like at the hospital, to expenisive for resturant or festivals. I also think if your stationary it's good to have some type of sign, so they can't say "you just don't want to make me one because of ...." also protects you if some one does send sister to get baby one. But now birthday parties, try to find out in advance and all that show go into the cost of your show.

Hi! To be honest, I always ask the parents about giving babies a balloon. That way, if they have another, older child they usually say no, but this kid can. Then they have to deal with the children fighting. And, I ask even if it seems obvious that the child is too young, to avoid problems like this. If it really seems inapropriate for the child to have one but the parent says it is okay, i tell them about the dangers.
:D Giggles

That can be a dangerous policy Giggles. Unfortunately parents are not always responsible and if things go wrong you can be sure it will be you with the litigation problems. Anyway litigation aside, I wouldn't like to feel responsible for a child suffocating on one of my balloons! It's never easy to refuse people but in this case refusal is self protection as much as child protection.

Just last Saturday I had a young mother with a 1-2 year old baby girl that was learning to walk around the table they were seated at. One of the other kids had dropped a balloon I made for them, and the girl had gotten a hold of it, and immediately started to bite it.

I quickly got the mother's attention by turning my patter to focus on her.

" There's my stray dog! Hey mom (I said looking her in the eye) Could I borrow that balloon? "

I pointed at that moment to her little girl, and she turned to see the little girl gumming the animal. I had already started to walk over to their table, and leaned forward to quietly tell mom that these animals can sometimes be ornery. I then offered my cartoon card to replace the toy, and she agreed. (Thankfully!) That way, I was able to keep the child from getting hurt, and also give her my contact information. (whew!)

As the other kids watched me and waited, I returned to my "station" and resumed my activity.

This is the first close call I've had so far...

Bips,
That "stray dog" bit is great. I really think those kind of creative remarks are so helpful in defusing hard situations.
Jubilee

That was great piece of creative ad-libbing Bips! It's so hard to come up with that sort of thing when you are in those situations. If you don't mind I will adjust that a little and try and keep it in reserve. That sort of thing could happen very easily at the Pizza Hut where I clown. With a little adjustment I can create a few variations to suite that environment.

Don't mind at all Gilbert, have at it....

I've learned quite a bit here from this great creative pool, so I'm glad I can contribute.

Thanks Bips. Hopefully I'll come up with something you can use sometime.