Minor vent re: dance recitals

[KiminChicago]

I realize that dance recitals are family affairs and everyone wants to see their dancers perform, but do some people really think that their 9 month old infant will remember or care that he was there to see his big sister perform? I can tell you that all the people sitting around you will remember that you sat there while your infant screamed and cried through the last two numbers of the evening (this was at 9pm). Since there was assigned seating, couldn't you at least have planned ahead and bought the seat on the aisle so you could make a discreet exit?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I agree with you!

I am guilty of taking my baby though--but do as you suggest, make it so my exit is easy and with minimal distraction. This is the first time we have had to attend 2 recitals--definitely had to move to the back today towards the end as baby girl had enough. Then while she was happy with the new locale, the mom next to me who had just performed in a grown up dance number...was texting.

 

[marymouse]

Must be in the water today, I listened to a toddler very loudly say "oops goldfish" about 50 times during one dance while the mother and the other lady with her just laughed and said "shhh". It was cute once but they just egged her on with the laughing. My mother and I both gave them dirty looks and she finally managed to shut the kid up.

 

[KiminChicago]

And it's actually not only dance recitals. My DS was in a musical for his middle school. These kids put in many, many hours before and after school and the week before opening night they were all there every evening for 4 hours. At one performance a baby was crying all through the key scene. I was sitting on the opposite side of the theater and could hear the screaming, I can only imagine what it was like for the people sitting closer. The musical was at the same theater as the dance recitals, so there was assigned seating.

And then there was the winter band concert at the school -- one toddler was running up and down the bleachers with boots on. The bleachers are metal, so it echoed too.

I just wish that the parents would use a little common sense -- if you have to bring a small child then plan ahead for the possibility that you might have to leave the theater for a little while. It seems that some of these parents are determined to see the whole show, even if their infants are disturbing everyone around them.

 

[kacaju]

I hear you!! Saturday night at my DD's recital there was an preschooler who was talking softly to himself...he was not bothering me...it was mom who was says shhh,shhh,shhh the whole time that I wanted to slap!!

 

[Kimberle]

Some people don't have anyone to watch the baby. However, if your baby fusses, they should be taken out asap.

 

[princesshannahsmom]

I despise that. We went to see my cousin's 4 year old in her dance recital. Of course, her baby sister was there. She was doing great and was mesmerized, until.....her big sister's 1st number came up. The lights were VERY dim on the stage, but not dim enough and she saw her mama bringing her big sister on the stage and she lost it!! It took me 5 seconds to scoop her up from her grandma's arms and dash to the back of the theater!

However, there was a baby in front of us and one behind us and they screeched for almost the ENTIRE performance, which in my opinon was way to long for a little ones recital, 3 hours. The bigger girls performed later and we noticed the same two screeching babies would be staying for that performance as well. I felt sorry for the folks that had to sit near them, because it was distracting, to put it very nicely.

 

[ForAandA]

Right before any school events, the announcer gently asks that any children who are feeling "not themselves" be taken to the lobby area to relax a bit. I understand that some parents just do not have the option to leave. They might have other kids and no other parent to watch. You should still try though regardless.

 

[golfgal]

Some people don't have anyone to watch the baby. However, if your baby fusses, they should be taken out asap.

Then find someone. Babies should NOT be taken everywhere. There is a time and a place for an infant and dance recitals, theater productions, movies, etc. is NOT it. Some people NEED to learn that you can't take your kids everywhere.

There was an 18 month old KILLED while his mom was at a chiropractor's office last week in our state. The mom was strapped into some kind of machine while her 3 children were running around the office-so she couldn't do anything about it. The toddler got into some machine and it crushed him. Get a babysitter.

 

[libraryfreak]

Parents can be very rude too. In my kids middle school years, the band concerts were horrible! The kids took turns by grade playing, and if their kid wasn't on stage, it was talk talk talk... no consideration whats so ever for anybody else's kid who might be up there. I hated going. So many inconsiderate people. And the kids in the bands who were not playing were behaving the same way.

I think it stems from the band director. Once the audience started getting loud, I would of halted the concert until it got quiet again.

 

[Acklander]

Then find someone. Babies should NOT be taken everywhere. There is a time and a place for an infant and dance recitals, theater productions, movies, etc. is NOT it. Some people NEED to learn that you can't take your kids everywhere.

There was an 18 month old KILLED while his mom was at a chiropractor's office last week in our state. The mom was strapped into some kind of machine while her 3 children were running around the office-so she couldn't do anything about it. The toddler got into some machine and it crushed him. Get a babysitter.

Well, there's a difference between bringing your baby to the Chiropractor's office and bringing a baby to a dance recital. I can understand the need to bring to bring a baby to a recital because you can't just reschedule the recital if you can't find or afford a babysitter. That being said, they should have brought the baby outside or to the lobby once it started fussing.

 

[kamik86]

Well, there's a difference between bringing your baby to the Chiropractor's office and bringing a baby to a dance recital. I can understand the need to bring to bring a baby to a recital because you can't just reschedule the recital if you can't find or afford a babysitter. That being said, they should have brought the baby outside or to the lobby once it started fussing.

For many people the babysitters are family and thus are there too. I went to many things you probably don't think I should have as a baby, because my only babysitters were my older sisters or my grandmother. So for my sisters high school graduations (I would have been 9 months for the first and 21 months for the second) I was there because everyone that ever babysat me was also there.

Since a doctors visit wouldn't be something all 3 of my baby sitters and both parents want to be at there would be no problem getting a sitter for that.

 

[Acklander]

For many people the babysitters are family and thus are there too. I went to many things you probably don't think I should have as a baby, because my only babysitters were my older sisters or my grandmother. So for my sisters high school graduations (I would have been 9 months for the first and 21 months for the second) I was there because everyone that ever babysat me was also there.

Since a doctors visit wouldn't be something all 3 of my baby sitters and both parents want to be at there would be no problem getting a sitter for that.

I think you meant to quote the person before me, I don't have a problem with it.

 

[LaughingSphinx]

Parents can be very rude too. In my kids middle school years, the band concerts were horrible! The kids took turns by grade playing, and if their kid wasn't on stage, it was talk talk talk... no consideration whats so ever for anybody else's kid who might be up there. I hated going. So many inconsiderate people. And the kids in the bands who were not playing were behaving the same way.

I think it stems from the band director. Once the audience started getting loud, I would of halted the concert until it got quiet again.

I had a director who had the perfect technique to handle this. Once the talking got too bad, he would stop, (never in the middle of a song) turn around, and just glare at the audience. It was a perfect, "You all know what you are supposed to be doing, and I am not moving forward until you give all these musicians the respect and attention they deserve." Worked every time.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Then find someone. Babies should NOT be taken everywhere. There is a time and a place for an infant and dance recitals, theater productions, movies, etc. is NOT it. Some people NEED to learn that you can't take your kids everywhere.

There was an 18 month old KILLED while his mom was at a chiropractor's office last week in our state. The mom was strapped into some kind of machine while her 3 children were running around the office-so she couldn't do anything about it. The toddler got into some machine and it crushed him. Get a babysitter.

Oh my goodness!!!!

That was negligence on mom's part! My chiropractor has a playroom. How on earth did those children have access to machines???

As far as the first paragraph--I would kindly oblige to any instructions to not bring children of a specific age if they were not permitted. All dance recitals I have attended have been family friendly. The onus is on the parent though to exhibit proper etiquette and remove any noisy children.

Not really the same as the child dying, IMHO..

 

[LisaNJ25]

I hear you.. my kids had theirs last night..

What is even worst.. is those people who leave right after their kids performs...

I was at my kids dance recital for 4 1/2 hours last night. The were on the second half and by than they audience was half empty. Your kids are to stay there the whole time with the execptions of the 3yos who can come back to the parents seats after they perform. It was sad to see how few kids were left to be on stage for the finale.

 

[Katy Belle]

I agree! Take them out!

The band director here always starts concerts by saying, "We are recording tonights concert and will be selling the CDs. I know its a long time for little ones to be quiet. If your little one starts making noise, please take them to the lobby. We have the concert playing on speakers in the lobby for you."
It works!

 

[bgirl29]

Yes people dont think about others in the audience. I was just at a high school graduation sitting with the parents of the valedictorian. As soon as he started talking the lady right behind them thought it was a good time to have a phone conversation. When she answered the phone I expected she would tell whoever that she couldnt talk, but no, she kept right on with her conversation. I guess she thought since she didnt care to listen to the guys speech so why would anyone.

 

[princessmom29]

I have done over 30 dance recitals between my sister, me, and my daughter. I don't mind the babies and toddlers there. How else are they gonig to learn proper manners in a theater if they never visit one? They SHOULD be taken out if they become a disturbance to others however. The more used to the environment they are, the easier it isto teach proper manners. It is just like taking kids to restaurants. We took DD to restaurants, even as na infant. Did Ihave to get up and leave my meal a few times? Yes, BUt by the time she was 2 1/2 we could sit through a meal with a child who was plesant ot be around and knew how to act in a restaurant. She is 7 now, and waitstaff still comment on the fact that she behaves well through the entire meal.

 

[princessmom29]

Then find someone. Babies should NOT be taken everywhere. There is a time and a place for an infant and dance recitals, theater productions, movies, etc. is NOT it. Some people NEED to learn that you can't take your kids everywhere.

There was an 18 month old KILLED while his mom was at a chiropractor's office last week in our state. The mom was strapped into some kind of machine while her 3 children were running around the office-so she couldn't do anything about it. The toddler got into some machine and it crushed him. Get a babysitter.

So at waht age do you feel it is OK to bring children to a theater? Do you think that there is some age where they will magically know how to behave there? By the time she was about 2 1/2 I could count on DD to sit through a perfromace pretty much every time, and she really enjoyed going. She would sit on mine or my husbands lap and ust watch. The look on her face the first time she saw a live ballet at 3 was priceless. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The mom at the chiro. Is a completely different situation. She was not in corrol of her chidren, and was not monitoring where they were. I think that is a completely different than taknig achild to a performance with the understanding that if they become a problem you will be leaving.