Erik
08-24-2009, 12:12 PM
JUST hours after the heaving crowds of Sydney's seedy nightclub district dispersed, a crowd of mums lined up to let their young children loose on the dance floor.
Parents flocked to Oxford St yesterday as Slide nightclub opened its doors for Australia's first Baby Loves Disco event - where children under the age of seven go clubbing, wear feather boas, swill organic apple juice and get temporary tattoos.
While the kids go wild on the flashing dance floor, under the watchful eye of babysitters, upstairs parents can have a drink at the bar.
It's hard to tell who was having the most fun - the children or their parents.
Event co-host Tash Henry, a mother of two, said: "We really wanted to create the ultimate dance party for our kids."
Already a hit overseas, the concept is expected to divide parents in Australia.
Some will take the chance to head back to an old nightspot.
"That's where parents used to be five or 10 years ago," Ms Henry said.
Others, such as Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive Dr Joe Tucci, said that children were growing up too fast.
"As a community we are pushing children into an adult world at a faster and faster rate," he said.
"We need to realise that childhood development is a phase in itself and it shouldn't be shaped by adults and what they see as important."
Ms Henry said the "child-proof club" event, staffed by early-childhood trained workers, was designed to provide an interactive environment for families to have fun together.
Entry prices include healthy snacks for children, a "chill-out" play area, bathrooms kitted out with nappy change tables and a goodie bag and glass of champagne for parents.
Yesterday's event was sold out.
Parents flocked to Oxford St yesterday as Slide nightclub opened its doors for Australia's first Baby Loves Disco event - where children under the age of seven go clubbing, wear feather boas, swill organic apple juice and get temporary tattoos.
While the kids go wild on the flashing dance floor, under the watchful eye of babysitters, upstairs parents can have a drink at the bar.
It's hard to tell who was having the most fun - the children or their parents.
Event co-host Tash Henry, a mother of two, said: "We really wanted to create the ultimate dance party for our kids."
Already a hit overseas, the concept is expected to divide parents in Australia.
Some will take the chance to head back to an old nightspot.
"That's where parents used to be five or 10 years ago," Ms Henry said.
Others, such as Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive Dr Joe Tucci, said that children were growing up too fast.
"As a community we are pushing children into an adult world at a faster and faster rate," he said.
"We need to realise that childhood development is a phase in itself and it shouldn't be shaped by adults and what they see as important."
Ms Henry said the "child-proof club" event, staffed by early-childhood trained workers, was designed to provide an interactive environment for families to have fun together.
Entry prices include healthy snacks for children, a "chill-out" play area, bathrooms kitted out with nappy change tables and a goodie bag and glass of champagne for parents.
Yesterday's event was sold out.