‘I take my 7-year-old to festivals with orgy tents and drugs’

“I get shamed all the time, but he goes everywhere we go. That’s just the way we live,” the mum reveals.

Bianca Snyder and her partner go to  the famous US desert festival, Burning Man, every year.

So when they had their son, Tage, it was only natural that he go along.

For seven years, the family of three has been attending the annual festival that includes an ‘Orgy Dome’, drugs and revellers dressed in extravagant costumes.

“Our son goes everywhere that we go, and that’s just the way that we live,” she told Insider.

Although she acknowledges there’s plenty at the festival that’s not age appropriate for Tage, she says people “can cultivate the experience that you want to have”.

“There are people doing yoga, and there’s people having important conversations that are relevant to improving the future of mankind.

“There’s people experiencing art.”

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Bianca and her husband have brought their son to Burning Man since he was a baby. Photo: Instgram

Mum brings son to Burning Man

Bianca, who owns a cannabis company with her partner said she was trolled mercilessly for bringing Tage to the event as a baby.

“A photo of me breastfeeding was in the 110 most epic photos of Burning Man. The flood of hurtful words ensued. I thought, why do I feel shame for doing something that I love that is natural? I realized people on the internet don’t know s**t about my life experience or my perspective on life. It was a breaking point where I said, f**k this. I’m doing this my way.

 “Despite what the haters said about me, I can live in my happiness bubble and savour every moment of motherhood without succumbing to the criticism or expectation of others.”

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Over the years she’s continued to receive hateful comments.

“Cool he can go to the orgy,” and “Y’all are wilding! Bad parenting 101.”

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She says the Burning Festival is what you make it, and it can be appropriate for kids. Photo: Instagram

But Bianca argues that Tage is developing essential life skills at the annual event.

The family rides bikes in the desert, climbs on artscapes, and it all serves to encourage Tage to be brave and curious.

“We pack in more fun, laughter, play and adventure into two hours of exploring on the playa than most families will ever experience. No regrets,” she wrote on TikTok.

The Burning Man website says, “kids are absolutely welcome at Burning Man… but the decision to bring children under 18 should not be taken lightly, especially if you have never attended”.

There are “harsh and unpredictable elements and environment”, and “areas of the event that are adult-oriented and not appropriate for children”.

Originally published as ‘I take my 7-year-old to festivals with orgy tents and drugs’