I have just received Ironflower's 8 PAGE packet for her dance recital. Now, I might welcome the packet if it told me exactly what make-up to put on her or what to do with her beautifully unruly hair. I might welcome the packet if it laid out her 2 routines so that we could practice at home. I might welcome her packet if she wasn't in preschool. But instead I look at the packet and think, are you FREAKING SERIOUS?
I still don't know how to do her hair or her make-up. . .or even what her costume looks like (which doesn't really bother me because the recital is not until late May, but why not just include this info in the packet?). But I do know that we can't make our own DVD of the recital AND that it will cost us $40 to buy one. I also now know that I can purchase extremely over-priced bouquets and photos. Oh, and there's a complicated lottery system for ticket purchases. I have also read about the procedures for picking up my child after the performance and extensive details about the dress rehearsal.
I am also to provide non-staining snacks and toys for her use backstage.
Snacks????? Toys??????
You know what I did backstage during the myriad recitals and performances I was in?
I talked to my friends and I watched the other dancers. When I got older, I put on more make-up. And I didn't get to eat anything. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I also walked 2 miles up hill to school (actually, I would have done that, if my mom hadn't driven me to school most of the time) and survived just fine.
I am usually the person who stands up for the booster seats until they can drive (or whatever the rule is now), helmets and bouncy playground surfaces. I'm reluctant to leave my children with a baby-sitter or for them to have playdates without me. I overanalyze everything (which you have probably noticed if you've ever read this blog before). In short, I am a modern parent.
But I think we've gone off the deep end where dance recitals are concerned. First come, first served seating is no longer good enough for today's families. DVDs have to be professionally produced. Bouquets have be big and expensive. Photos must be taken by an overcharging professional. Children must be entertained backstage. Packets must be sent home 3 months beforehand. All the spontaneity of live performance must be crushed.
I am so NOT cut out for helicopter parenting.
9 comments:
I much prefer to down bottle of beer in between my dance routines.
Now that I would pay to see.
Wow, that sure seems crazy. I guess I am glad that my daughter chose to get out of that kind of stuff and went on into choir. The whole deal sounds a little stressful. Hang in there and remember your doing it for you little one and if that doesnt work then try some makers mark.
What, no recital gift registry?
Not sure where in Jersey you are, but when I was little the recitals where held at Count Basie Theater in Red Bank, and the sheer awe at being in a real theater was enough to keep us entertained backstage. You should totally bring a huge, old school video camera and tell them they are violating your 1st Amendment rights if they tell you to stop.
Soccermom - I have a bad feeling the by the time my girl gets to choir, it's going to be just as bad.
Zeecon - we're up north, but the recital is in a "real" theater. I like the taping idea - or maybe I should do secret taping and talk about my rights only if I get caught!
You and me both, sister.
Francis - Exactly! So wrong.
Post a Comment