bringing a toy is a good idea. a small one, but I would hold onto it and instead of taking it as a threat to encourage good behavior, I would use it as a reward for good behavior when I see the child's ability to stay focused is waning. the toy will hopefully help maintain decorum.

3 and under a toy is ok.Parents have lost control when you have to bribe your child not to act like a toddler satanist at something they should behave at. No structure for kids to behave is why we have a show called "16 and Pregnant" on mainstream tv. Their parents blew it buddy.

If it's a serious grown-up sort of event, WHY would I bring the kid along? I vote for getting a baby-sitter and enjoying the event!

They can bring a toy but they have to be willing to share if other kids are there and want to play with them.

Kids have no structure and no demands are made of them. And then everyone wonders why our youth are so messed up. Make them behave. Yes it takes work, but that part of being a parent. Get a grip people.

Let's just do away with all serious grown-up sorts of things and make everything 100% about *your* kid.

Isn't this what iPod Touches are made for? (Grammatical side note: iPods Touch?)

SeeThree777 wrote:If it's a serious grown-up sort of event, WHY would I bring the kid along? I vote for getting a baby-sitter and enjoying the event!

EXACTLY.

If they can't have a small quiet toy there, then it's not the kind of event you should be bringing your kid to. Kids only have so much attention they can give to a serious adult event.

If the kid can't have a small toy there, then why am I going?

I agree with SeeThree. It's an adult event.
Hey, is this a trick question?