I don’t know many dance world mum’s who relish concert season. It is stress with a capital S! Most of all, it is a huge time commitment and takes over the scheduling for the whole family for weeks beforehand.
First up – so many extra rehearsals! My child would love to spend all her days at the dance school but there’s so much else going on. This is the season when school projects get finalised, tests and exams need to be sat, formals and special assemblies occur, sports finals are on, as well as many end of year celebrations, school spectaculars, etc etc etc. Not to mention trying to balance the needs of other children in the family who might undertake different activities.
It is so hard fitting everything in and there is so little flexibility if you have to miss a dance rehearsal. At least from my child, who feels the pressure not to miss any rehearsals, in case she misses some choreography or gets moved to the back line. I do understand commitment, but is it fair to pressure children to miss important school and life milestones, to fail to support their siblings’ endeavours, or to wear themselves out to a near nervous breakdown?
The commitment is especially difficult for working parents, who usually have lots of end of year commitments at work too. How can we be in several places at once?
What to do about this? I have no idea. Some schools hold their major concerts at times other than end of year – that sounds very attractive, and yet somehow doesn’t feel right…!?
And another thing - I hate organising ‘do it yourself costumes’. I just don’t have time and they end up costing me so much more than if I could just pay an account. I never seem to buy what the dance teacher (or my child) has envisioned. And my child usually can’t come on the shopping expeditions to try things on because she’s in rehearsals! Gosh I dread getting those notes!
So, is it worth it? Well, I know I’ll think so when the concert is on – that’s what keeps me going! I’ll be watching my child, proud as punch and relishing her joy. I’ll be admiring the army of helpers who I know have contributed to the fantastic show. I’ll be overwhelmed with gratitude for the hardworking teachers who have no doubt, just like me, had little sleep leading up to the night, just so that my child and her friends will have the best possible experience. And I’ll be back next year. So I guess – yes – it’s worth it!
