So your school ages child comes bounding out of their classroom after school clutching an invitation to their much rehearsed school play.
You are of course so proud and can’t wait to see their performance, yet the whole experience it going to be one full of stress if you have toddlers in tow!!
This is of course my own experience and I’m sure lots of you have wonderful little ones that sit there watching intently as the play is performed. In fact I have sat through many a performance jealously looking on at a well behaved toddler sitting with their box of raisins taking everything in without moving a muscle. After five children however I am still longing for that day.
I always start out well prepared with non messy/crunchy foods to pacify for as long as possible, drinks that can’t be easily tipped over the poor person we are sitting next to, toys that will keep them amused without being massively noisy or can be rolled into the audience with no hope of getting back; which will obviously cause mass hysteria!
Through experience though even with my military precision planning nothing will stop me from having to fireman carry them screaming and shouting from the hall.
My sweaty palms start the moment the headmaster introduces the children followed by the same sentence about removing noisy children that I can’t help but think is always aimed at me.
After this point they usually spot their older sibling on the stage and from there continue to bellow their name whist waving furiously. Once this is over and the singing begins we usually get a rendition of a beautifully sung nursery rhyme at the top of their voice which has no connection to what is going on on stage.
This causes uproar from the audience and the hundreds of children which just adds fuel to the fire as they are loving the attention.
If we make it this far every toy, set of keys, bit of rubbish is then emptied from my bag in a bid to keep them quiet.
Lastly boredom really kicks in and they need to be removed. Usually before their sibling has got to do their main part which in turn then sends a massive wave of guilt as I am bundling a screaming child through the door whist looking at a forlorn face standing on the stage.
I then have to congratulate my poor performer and try to convince them that I could hear every word through a fully closed fire door!
I am sure that a free classroom and a classroom assistant keeping a watchful eye on bored toddlers would save a lot of stress on everyone’s part and would leave parents to enjoy their offsprings performance and I will be taking this suggestion to out PTA soon.
How do you cope with little ones in the same situation?
Please let me know if you are in the same position as me as it would make me feel so much better!!
My children never sat through school performances very well but that shows they have strong personalities!
Ha ha yes that is a nice way to put it x
Lol – sorry! My children are not old enough for school plays yet but I cam imagine it being a nightmare when the time comes – I wonder how many boxes of raisins we’ll get through! #momsterslinkup
We usually get through a whole grape vine!!
We have a weekend show this weekend and been saved by my parents babysitting thank goodness!! X
we’ve been lucky enough to have one parent attend the teenager’s dress rehersals and the other goes to the actual production so that we can leave the little at home. Don’t think it would have went well otherwise
That is so good when you can do that. My parents have the younger ones at the weekend so we can see a big play my daughter is in but o struggle when it is the daytime plays as no one is around!!
I imagine this happens to every parent at some point. It doesn’t feel that way when its happening to you though #momsterslink
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
Very true and I sometimes think I worry way to much what everyone else thinks, when really they are probably not that bothered x
The Tubblet’s school only gives you two tickets per show and asks yiu not to bring toddlers. Great idea, but everyone has local childcare!
That is the best idea, but yes tricky of you have no childcare.
We’re off to a performance at weekend that is child free so I will be able to watch and relax x
I can totally relate to this post. I somehow committed to going to a concert my parents were putting on at a local church. My wife was out of town and so I brought my three children who are all under the age of seven. My kids raced up and down the aisles, fell on top of an elderly man, danced in their chairs. It was so bad that after some older lady came up to me and told me that I was a brave man. #momsterslink
Ha ha so sorry this really made me chuckle!! I’m so glad I’m not the only one.
You know when they have really played up when you get comments like that.
I like the ‘well done’ comment as you know they have really been playing up!! #momsterslink
My 15 year old participates in a lot of sports and other school activities that I have to take my 3 little ones to and yes it’s chaos! And then sometimes I just decide I’m not going to do it and the guilt sets in because he is my stepson and I never want him to feel like he’s less important then the 3 little ones. So indeed I totally get your pain. Thanks for sharing with #momsterslink.
Oh no now I’m feeling really bad!! My sim has just restarted football and I always just drop him as I can’t stand the stress of the others trying to run onto the pitch!!
Good on you for for making the effort to go and watch.
I have promised him that I will stay once a week once the holidays are over x
I have so been there so many times and missed key parts, or worse still flung said toddler on another parent outside to peep back indoors at that magic moment! Yet I can also now say as the Mum of 3 in year 6 with leading roles it is so appreciated when bored little ones are taken out and their much rehearsed lines can be heard. School performance tomorrow for me, and my last ever *sad face* #SundayStars
This is thing to them it is so massively important you don’t want anything to ruin their big day.
I hope you have. Wonderful time tomorrow and not to many tears!! Xx
Being a mum of 1 toddler, i have not come across any of this yet. I do agree that there should be some sort of toddler creche at the start so the parents can enjoy the older ones performance.Such a great idea, please let us know if you succeed! 🙂 #twinklytuesday
I’m going to put the suggestion in come September when they are all eager and open to new ideas!!
When all else fails…bribery 😉
I think I always use the bribery cars to early!! X
There’s def a strength too it!
I meant strategy 😉
As a drama teacher I have all this to come if I dare bring my child to any of my school performances!!! 😂 a great read! X
Ha ha of you do please let me know how it goes!! Xx
As a drama teacher I’ve got all this to come…if in crazy enough to let my children see my school productions! 😂 a great read. #wineandboobs
I only have the one and he’s not even at school yet so I am a way off of having to deal with this! I shall remember for future reference though. Love the bit where they spot their sibling and start shouting their name! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Oh yes just wait!! The name calling is bad but the worst was a full rendition of ‘wind the bobbin up’ at the top of their voice! X
Have got all this to come – eek! I think it is just part-and-parcel of having kids isn’t it?! Thanks for linking up to #SundayStars
Ha ha yes it is!! The same goes for a lot of things such as doctors appointments that you just beg they are good for and never are!! X
This makes me feel slightly sick!
I know that Mister L is NEVER EVER EVER going to sit still during a future school performance by Miss S, so may as well give up now.
Thanks for linking up with #wineandboobs
@twentyfirstmama