How young is too young?

BeeMaster2 · November 17, 2011, 01:15:33 PM

My granddaughter is 6 years old, rather mature for her age. Do you think that is to young to start working in a open bee hive? I'm more concerned with over reactions to something that might scare her and cause her to flail, than any thing else.
Looking for input. She was in full gear with me once when I first started last year. No problems. Just felt like it may have been putting her in a high risk situation. My bees are very gentle when handled properly.
Like to hear what others think?
Jim

Kathyp · November 17, 2011, 01:32:35 PM

i had my grandkids out there at that age. i think it depends on the child. i sure would have them covered and have some liquid benadryl on hand...just in case.

if the kid is given to freaking out, or doesn't follow directions well, you might want to wait.

hardwood · November 17, 2011, 01:50:21 PM

That's about the age that my father started my journey with bees.

Scott

Francus · November 17, 2011, 02:09:05 PM

My daughter will be 3 in December and I got her a suit this summer and had her helping me.

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Robo · November 17, 2011, 03:20:22 PM

Not too young at all. Here is my son at 5 yrs old. He had been in the bee yard since he could walk, so this wasn't his first time, just a picture he is proud of. I would follow Kathy's suggestions, just don't build too much fear into them by making it appear they need to have "armor" on before they go near a hive.

caticind · November 17, 2011, 04:22:49 PM

I would probably introduce a kid even younger than that depending on their maturity level.

If you feel confident that she can follow instructions and remain relatively calm if stung, then she's definitely old enough. Be prepared to intervene if she should happen to manifest a severe allergy.

Here's a follow-up question: Would you consider catching a bee and deliberately stinging her so she'll know what to expect? If you think that a single sting would traumatize her, then maybe it's not a good idea as if she helps she'll eventually get stung.

Robo · November 17, 2011, 05:07:19 PM

Quote from: caticind on November 17, 2011, 04:22:49 PM
If you think that a single sting would traumatize her, then maybe it's not a good idea as if she helps she'll eventually get stung.

Very good point. My son knew from the start that at some point he would get stung. But after seeing me get stung numerous times and not making a scene out of it, but simply shrugging it off and continuing with the job, by the time it happened to him, he had no fear about it and handled it like a pro.

Set a good example and they will follow.

We always wear veils, but that is about it for protective equipment. Of course when you are around bees enough, you will eventually get a good one. We weren't even working the bees and one day out of the blue one flew into him and stung him by the eye. He was a real trooper about it (I think he was more upset with me taking a picture than the actual sting). Point is, no matter how careful you are, she will get stung if she is around bees for long enough, so be prepared, and have her be prepared to accept/deal with it.

luvin honey · November 17, 2011, 09:08:59 PM

Quote from: kathyp on November 17, 2011, 01:32:35 PM
i had my grandkids out there at that age. i think it depends on the child. i sure would have them covered and have some liquid benadryl on hand...just in case.

if the kid is given to freaking out, or doesn't follow directions well, you might want to wait.

Ditto. Totally depends on the kids. My kids hung out over the open hives when I started and they were only 7 and 9.

luvin honey · November 17, 2011, 09:11:05 PM

Quote from: Robo on November 17, 2011, 05:07:19 PM
Quote from: caticind on November 17, 2011, 04:22:49 PM
If you think that a single sting would traumatize her, then maybe it's not a good idea as if she helps she'll eventually get stung.

Very good point. My son knew from the start that at some point he would get stung. But after seeing me get stung numerous times and not making a scene out of it, but simply shrugging it off and continuing with the job, by the time it happened to him, he had no fear about it and handled it like a pro.

Set a good example and they will follow.

We always wear veils, but that is about it for protective equipment. Of course when you are around bees enough, you will eventually get a good one. We weren't even working the bees and one day out of the blue one flew into him and stung him by the eye. He was a real trooper about it (I think he was more upset with me taking a picture than the actual sting). Point is, no matter how careful you are, she will get stung if she is around bees for long enough, so be prepared, and have her be prepared to accept/deal with it.

Ditto to this, too. My daughter was great until she once got stung in the lip. It swelled so badly I thought her lip would split open. She didn't want to visit the girls for a long, long time after that, and I didn't push it. They've watched me get stung so many times without reacting that they never built up a fear of bees before their first stings.

It was also great prep for getting rabies shots this year! After bee stings, shots are nearly painless :)

AllenF · November 17, 2011, 10:50:46 PM

My son got stung for the first time at age 2 playing in the driveway. I watched him get popped right in the forehead. That is where he first learned about the bees even though no hives were around. After that he knew bees would sting, but wearing his bee dress (my jacket) he feels ok looking into bee hives. It is hard enough to keep him away from the hives when I am working them when he is not wearing anything. Age 3 in the pic, helping feed nucs.

BeeMaster2 · November 18, 2011, 06:06:51 AM

Wow, thanks for all of the replies. If the weather is good this Sunday, I will be inspecting my hives and if she is available, see if she would like to help me.
Thanks, Jim

mikecva · November 18, 2011, 12:47:04 PM

My granddaughter was 4 when she started visiting the yard. By 5 she asked if she could help and that is when she started around the hives but almost six months before she stepped up and went into the hive to help look fat the brood. We just let her go at her own pace.

AllenF love the outfit -Mike

Michael Bush · November 18, 2011, 09:17:42 PM

As long as they have protective gear and they aren't afraid, I don't see any limits, but they don't tend to have much of an attention span so I would stick with the backyard. If you need to get bee work done in an outyard, you may want to leave the kids at home...

BrentX · November 18, 2011, 09:30:31 PM

Loved the pictures of the kids in bee suits! Getting them around the hive early is planting seeds that will grow all their lives. Nicely done.