For the longest time I have been relieved that my eight year old loves art and performing in plays instead of being on sports teams. While all of her best friends are playing softball in the heat and dealing with a game every weekend, my kid is rehearsing for a play on her school campus. Our weekends are free, I don't have to schlep her to a ball field, I'm not responsible for bringing snacks on a given day, etc. Well, I think I got a little cocky and spoke too soon.
Ever since school ended, my daughter has been in a summer theater workshop. I will start by saying what a positive learning experience it has been for all of the children.
However, summer theater will sometimes feel like your kid is on a sports team.
* It is every morning, so you may have to deal with a cranky kid when you wake them up early as if it was a regular school day.
* Although the actual performances are held for only two weekends, they are whole weekends; beginning Thursday nights and ending on Sunday afternoons.
* You will find yourself in the heat one day, just like the sports parents. It starts with standing outside in a line for about an hour because you want to pick a decent seat. You then proceed into the warm theater where you will be seated on hard plastic chairs for two and a half hours. Luckily, my husband and I came prepared with ice packs and water.
* Just as I'm sure sports parents sit with fingers crossed in hopes that their kid has a successful game, I find myself observing my daughter perhaps too much. Is she smiling enough while singing? Could she have said that line better? etc.
I sound like a stage mother, so it's time to relax and remind myself that she is a kid.
The goal is for the kids to learn, stay active and have some fun.
So I will now think twice before I brag to a sports parent how relieved I am that I am a theater parent.
Shirt: Gap cat print from last year.
Skirt: Isaac Mizrahi for QVC. Old.
Belt: Anne Klein vintage from Goodwill.
Shoes: Payless flats.