if it's really a "family" dance, make sure your program fits the families that are there!  if you've got a bunch of kids on the floor, you should be calling dances they can do.
 
however, if it's just one or two, and the parents are pushing it, i explain to them that as the caller, it's my job to keep an eye on the whole dance floor.  kids who are causing "clogs", especially when there are numerous non-dancers on the floor, are a danger.  tell the parents you're worried that someone will trip over the child and get hurt, and that you are also concerned that the child could be injured.  that usually makes sense to most parents.  this also works for kids who are not "dancing", but just running around while their parents are dancing.  
 
then tell them you'll call a couple of dances designed for the young kids, and do it right away.  they'll get tired and quit pretty quick, and everyone will have had a good experience, and the parents will probably thank you for being so aware of their kids.
 
good luck!!!
 
barb> Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:38:42 -0500> From: sue at manytracks.com> To: callers at sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] Young Children at Dance> > Hi,> How have you handled parents bringing their too young children into> a dance insisting "they can do the dance" when they are too small/young> to participate in any meaningful way, and generally are just confused,> clog up the dance and prevent the others from dancing (and the> youngster from having any fun either)? This is probably not a problem> at your usual contra dance, but at "family dance" events (longways and> such).> Cheers,> Sue R.> > --> > * * * * * * * * * *> > Sue Robishaw ~ [1]sue at manytracks.com ~ 906-644-2598> 770N Fox Rd, Cooks MI 49817 ~ ~ ~ [2]www.ManyTracks.com> > Don't just Celebrate Diversity ~ Live it, Look for it,> Appreciate it, Enjoy it ~ Allow it !> > * * * * * * * * * *> > References> > 1. mailto:sue at manytracks.com> 2. http://www.ManyTracks.com/> _______________________________________________> Callers mailing list> Callers at sharedweight.net> http://www.sharedweight.net/mailman/listinfo/callers
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