Limiting balloons per kid

in Harmony with Jesus · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 03:42 PM

Is it wrong to tell a kid they can't have any more balloons if they get them & purposefully pop them?

OK. This was the situation... our ministry volunteered at a fall festival. There were 2 or 3 of us just learning balloons & had no line work experience. Well, toward the end of the afternoon a couple of the older kids kept getting balloons - simple stuff like a sword, dog, flower - & would run off, play for a few minutes then **POP** and they were back in line for more. We weren't paid to do this & they weren't paying for the balloons. Well, it got to the point that we finally said they couldn't have any more. In a situation like this is it wrong to put a limit on the # of balloons you do for 1 kid? I mean, if it's an accidental pop, I don't mind at all doing another balloon. But these kids were popping on purpose. I was getting aggrivated! What made it worse was it was the ranch owners' kids!!!

Any suggestions?

Fitzwilly · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 04:43 PM

I don't think you were wrong at all Harmony. The idea is to stop them and you did that. Another option I have tried when there was a slower moment. I have asked them to wait because the other children had not had a balloon yet. Sometimes they get bored waiting and go away. Other times if there are just a couple of kids behind the trouble makers, and the kids are not too rowdy, I ask them to wait and then offer to teach them to make a dog. Other times I have simply inflated a 350 (260s work but I prefer 350s for this.) I make sure it is as straight as possible and then I slowly insert my finger into the end with the knot. i tell the kids to go about 30 feet away and I release the balloon. It goes flying and they start chasing it. They bring it back because they can't get it to fly like the clown can. So then I show them how to make it fly. I give it to one boy and send the others away to chase it. It usually keeps them occupied for awaile.

Bumbles · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 05:09 PM

Thanks for the suggestion about the 360, have a gig coming up this weekend and I am sure we will be able to use that one.

Twinkles LC · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 05:23 PM

thanks Fitz--I was with Harmony that day and I will definetly try the 350 trick.

pixcoco · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 07:08 PM

We are clowns but we also adults. We are expected to be able to set some boundries. If you don't the kids behavior can just escalate until you do or someone comes and rescues you.

I tell the abusive kids, very quietly and calmly, I won't make them another one because they popped it on purpose, "I saw you"

I then ignore them if they presist and make things for the other children. These kids know what is right and that they are wrong. Once you let them know you have boundries they will respect that.

That is also a Mom's prespective.

Sir Toony Van Dukes · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 07:09 PM

You need to use your best judgement. No two situations are the same. Fitzwilly had tow good suggestions about making them wait for the other children who haven't gotten a balloon or giving them another outlet for their energy. It is important that you don't get too aggrivated (or at least let others see you are upset)

If it is slow, take your time, having a customer may draw other kids to you.

Bonkers #361 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 07:41 PM

A. The kids now a days don't care what you say
B. They will do what ever they can to the clown to impress their friends
C. Use a stun gun on the little boogers

Ok C was a bit harsh. What I do is something you can try. I use stickers. When I make the a Balloon I give them a sticker when they come back I tell them I already made you one. They never know how I know. If I am not busy I will make them something else but if I have a line. NEXT! When I was a mascot I had alot of kids abuse me because hey it a stupid giraffe. I had one kid about 10 years old punch me Below the belt and his dad thought it was funny. I changed out of the suit and approched the child and all of a sudden it was not funny. I explained to him that he punched me NOT a giraffe. I then informed his father that is was concidered assault. Kids are out of control these days!!! My first clown gig when I was 18 I was attacked by two 15 year olds trying to impress their girlfriends thank god the police was at the event

Willace-the-Clown · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 07:51 PM

I always limit one balloon per child unless it accadently pops then ill give them a new one the same kind they asked for before but you were in the ight saying no th balloons are comeing out of your pocket

Fitzwilly · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonkers #361

C. Use a stun gun on the little boogers

Personally I prefer a tazer. That way I can still get them back as they run away.

Nettie Belle · #10 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 08:33 PM

I did a birthday party a couple of weeks ago, and one little boy kept grabbing my balloons by the handful and running off. The other kids would go after him and make him bring my balloons back to me. The third time he did it and brought them back, I bent down so my face was even with his, and gently but FIRMLY told him that if he stole my balloons ONE MORE TIME, I was not going to make him a balloon.

Now, you who know me and my balloon skills know that that was really no big deal, but to a 3-year-old, it was. He was going to be the only kid in the room without a sword or a hat and that was a big deal to him. He looked at me with his adorable little face and hung his head and said, "ok ... I'm sorry." That was all that was necessary.

It's not his fault that he's a stink pot ... there were plenty of adults there, who were gathered around the pizza and cake, totally ignoring the kids, and that's why I was there ... to BABYSIT so they could continue grazing and wouldn't have to take the time to discipline or entertain the kids.