#1 Your child is a preshush snowflake. We know this. So is the person's child beside yours. Remember that. Everyone wants to to see their child perform. As a result, please refrain from the following behaviors:
- Stressing yourself out as if recital is an audition for the Joffrey Ballet. It's not. And even if it was, it's the child's audition. Not yours.
- Yelling at your child and then yelling at them for crying because their eyes will be red on stage.
- Standing in front of people during the performance, thereby obstructing the view of someone else's preshush little snowflake.
- Talking during the performance. Just because you aren't interested, doesn't mean the person beside you isn't.
- Criticizing another child. You don't know if their parents are sitting next to you.
#2 Respect the dance teachers and staff.
- They will be busy. Do not take this time to ask if Little Suzy did a good job or if there will be dance class next Thursday.
- Do not ask the photographer (if there is one) to take special pictures for you. He/She is also very busy. There is a picture day for these kinds of requests.
- If you want to watch the dances, have a seat. Standing at the side of the stage is rude. It distracts from the dance, especially if your child is very young. Buy a ticket and sit down. Many parents have to run back and forth between costume changes. It's part of the experience. Embrace it.
#3 This relates to the first item. The recital is more than your child's class. There will be many, many numbers performing as there are many children involved.
- Your child's dances will not be the first few numbers so that you can "get out of there."
- Allowing your child to watch the older kids will fill them with wonder and develop a deeper love for the art. (Trust me on this.)
- If you must leave, do so quietly, without making a scene.
- Yes, it may take 2-2.5 hours for the recital to be finished. Enjoy it. These children have worked hard for many months to put on a good show for you.
#4 Things that I shouldn't have to say, but...
- Please refrain from using profanity in front of the children. It may be ok for you, but it may not for the kid standing next to you.
- Turn off your phone. No one cares that you're so important that you have to take a call in the middle of a performance. It's rude. And if you must take a call, go outside.
- Applaud for everyone.
- Thank the teachers for teaching your children.
Of course, they can't really put this stuff into a parent note. But it would make things easier on everyone if they could. ;-)
