Originally Posted by
Austinite
This thread breaks my heart: many years ago, when my younger child was an infant sleeping in a stroller I was asked to leave two different local shops cause "you won't have time and it's too difficult, we don't allow kids" variations on that anyhow. So I went home and got a book on Amazon and went to JAF and taught myself. Later in a class two older ladies made several rude comments about the college-age shopper, basically shamed her out. We need to encourage and pass on, nobody lives forever. I understand now why I was always the youngest by decades in the few classes I took.
I agree--and SO grateful that the Guild I belong to is fine with members bringing a child (and if someone does they are always respectful of keeping the child quiet) and we actively encourage children that have an interest (which seems to be about 10yr--then there's a gap during the teens/20's when their lives get much more busy--then they sometimes return to quilting late 20's/30's). I'm also grateful that when there have been some "people" issues for whatever reason, the leadership has dealt privately with the parties involved so the matter does not become divisive in the guild. While our workshops are usually filled with members (limited by space and electrical plug ins)there have been times when members will bring a child that actually sews. and that has worked out ok, too.