Talent Show Hell

[Guest]

Yesterday and today (along with three other brave adults) I supervised the auditions of elementary-school acts for an upcoming talent show.

On the terrific end, we heard budding instrumentalists, Ashlee Simpson and Raven vocal renditions, witnessed cheerleading, gymnastic and dance routines, saw a 5-year-old breaking boards in true karate style, enjoyed humorous skits well-written by clever young folks, and even chuckled through a few older skits (an Abbott and Costello, for one).

On the other end, unfortunately, we heard many over-rehearsed children with over-eager parents who pissed me off overly much.

Fuck.

What in the hell are parents thinking?

I can never understand why an adult who for their own egotistical purposes forces a loved one to undergo such an ordeal.

We saw very young girls cavorting in Jon-Benet makeup, kids reciting jokes with words they couldn't quite pronounce, a sweet little kid with an electric guitar who only played 3 notes (God I was hoping he'd at least do Twinkle, Twinkle - throw me a bone here, kid!) and then an older boy student who deliberately changed his tap-dancing routine so he wouldn't get in the show. I'm certain that's what happened and BOY is his mommy pissed.

Anyway, the auditions are only the first part. After decisions are made I always call each student to give them the information - good or bad. I think at this level it's important.

And you know what? The kids are fine with it. They understand that not everyone can be picked. And I know this is tough for them. But I truly feel an elementary talent show shouldn't be an open-mike situation. (It would last for days!!!)

At any rate, to listen to the parents who attempted to beat me up earlier this evening you'd think I was that asshole Simon (I've never watched the show but I did catch the clip at the end of the Shrek 2 DVD).

*sigh*

You know, my own daughter, excellent young musician already, didn't want to do the talent show. When asked, her laughing comment was, "And what makes you think I want to be up there on that stage?"

No problem.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

To paraphrase what the Marines in 'Nam used to say, "When you die, you're sure to go to heaven 'cause you've already spent your time in hell."

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

Thank you, Rumple -

 

[Liar]

Poor kids.

Same thing as with fanatic parents living out their own failed athletic ambitions through their kids by yelling at them during little league soccer, right?

 

[Guest]

In another life time, it seems, my daughter was a figure skater. god, she was so awesome! We were at the rink constantly. She skated about 8 hours a day and had 5 coaches. She eventually learned all her double jumps...
She went to competitions atleast 5 to 8 a year. I was what i had always dreaded becoming....A STAGE MOTHER. *gasp*
When I woke up to this realization, I did a major step back and quit working at the rink... quit making her costumes...allowed other people to take her to the rink...It was a harsh time in my life to realize I may have been pushing my kid too hard. I'm not proud of it...AT ALL.
One day, after we had gotten her custom make skates that cost over 1g, she decided to quit. Just full stop quit. It crushed me, but, I respected her decision. (relief because really it was hugely expensive sport) The experiences she had... allowed me to grow and us to be closer.
I agree with ya, I don't like parents who push. I didn't like myself when I did it and can now see it clear as day when others do it. Nothing good comes of it.

sorry..didnt mean to blurt...
v~
learning how to be a better mom every day. hell, maybe by the time they move out, I'll be doing it right.

 

[Guest]

 

[TheEarl]

My dad loved his sports. He coached the local football team and played regularly for his rugby team. He tried to teach me to be a good footballer, but I practically flat out refused to be taught. I liked spending the time with him, but I was determined that I didn't like football or for that matter any other sports (mainly cause every other kid my age loved sports and was devoted to football. I was such a little iconoclast!). He didn't force me, just respected my decision.

When I was a little older, I discovered rugby. Then football. then cricket. And every time, I have come to him to learn how to do them. Because I knew he'd teach me what I wanted to know and wouldn't push.

The Earl

 

[cloudy]

The year the Olympics were held in Atlanta my daughter was invited to try out for the US Gymnastics team.

I've never been pushy as far as things like that go.....I was athletic, myself, in school, and this was her thing. Could she have made the team? We'll never know. After much thought, she decided that she didn't want to. Her reasoning was that she would miss too much school, have to rely on a tutor to keep up with work, and that school was too much of a priority to do that. I let her make the decision for herself - it's her life.

I have moments when I wonder, but I know it was her decision to make.