PERFORMING KIDS MAKE ME LOOK BAD

Last year my daughter performed in the Inner West Performance extravaganza, spectacular, eisteddfod whatever you want to call it.

It was a group of schools from the area banding together to put on a show.

We were ridiculously excited when our daughter came home to say she was in the choir. It may have been a small role but who cares?

She was pretty excited and her preparation included about half a dozen rehearsals and 4 live performances.

So it wasn’t too disruptive to our day to day running of the household.

On the night of the show we did have a bit of trouble finding where my daughter was sitting. You see she was in the mammoth choir that was the backdrop to this show.

It took us a while but we found her. For a while we weren’t sure because everyone looked the same.

Anyway, lights go down and then the show began. These 8, 9, 10, and 11 year olds came out and they there singing, dancing, acting and they blew me away. They were spectacular.

You could see the talent and no doubt the work that had gotten into developing their performing skills. Obviously they were dedicated because no-one just falls out of bed and acts like a future Tony Award winning performer.

And then I started thinking. What the hell have we been doing with our time? I mean these kids were on the fast track to being successful performers.

In a way, I felt guilty because I never pushed my daughter to engage in more performing arts activities that she already does.

I know, I should follow her lead and never push. But how many of us have said, “I wish my parents pushed me a little more; I wish my parents didn’t let me quit piano, tennis, singing lessons”.

I know I’m not made of champion stuff. But should I let my complacency impact my kids?

And then of course you don’t want to be accused of living vicariously through your kids. Bad. Very very bad.

But some time has passed and the excitement of adrenalin rush from the show diminished and well those thoughts of “my child could be a star too” faded away.

I have to confess, I like how not crazy my life is.

But far out it is easy to get caught up in the spectacle of it all as it’s happening in front of you.

These kids were good. And when you think it could be your son or daughter up on that stage….well…… I feel a tiger mother moment coming on.

5 Comments

  • At 2011.06.09 23:55, Kleonaptra said:

    Its a fine line my dear, one Im sure I’ll soon be walking.

    I have a national champion winning show horse out there in my backyard. A perfectly mannered, beautifully conformed animal who wins judges hearts with his lovely brown eyes. They practically throw ribbons at him.

    I had to start showing on a cranky, old, hog maned bugger who hated getting up early on show day and liked to pick the judges pockets. We NEVER won a blue ribbon. My next equine attempt took such contempt to getting up early on show day she yawned in the judges face. Mortified!

    So I’ll be very pleased to present my established show horse to my daughter. So she can actually win.

    IF she likes horses. Like I said. Its a fine line!

    • At 2011.06.12 16:49, Maria said:

      I hope your daughter loves horses as much as you do. You know Kleo, I love how talk about your animal family. I know people that have pets say that the pet are a member of the family, but you, you take it to another level of connection. You must be a horse whisperer.

      How is the lovely animal family you have taking to the newest addition?

      Love & stuff
      Mrs M

    • At 2011.06.12 16:29, Christie-Childhood 101 said:

      I was talking to a group of Mum friends about this just this week, a discussion that started with the revelation that another mother was taking her child out of school for a week to perform in a dance competition of some sort. We were all asking, how much is too much when it comes to children’s hobbies and activities? I think there is a difference between children who enjoy an activity and those who have a real drive/passion and/or talent/gift. If my child was one of the second group, then I think I would be looking to support her to grow her talent/passion as much as she wanted to, but if she was one of the first, then I too think non-crazy is much more important.

      • At 2011.06.12 16:46, Maria said:

        Hi Christie,

        I dated a guy in highschool who was a very very talented soccer player. He was constantly missing classes in Year 12 to play or train. Consequently he didn’t do very well in Year 12 exams. He had everything riding on becoming a professional soccer player. Well 2 years after highschool he suffered a knee injury and he missed his window of opportunity. I don’t think he regrets giving it his all but…. it was hard for him to pick a new career when he had been so focussed on soccer. But you can’t live with regret.

        Thanks for the visit.

        Love & stuff
        Mrs M

      • At 2011.06.15 16:14, Kleonaptra said:

        Id say Im an everything whisperer. Theres no animal language I havnt been able to learn. People say “If only animals could tell us where it hurts” when they are sick, whereas I always feel like they are shouting it at me!

        the animals seem to be taking it well. Im thinking of doing a post to update all that.

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