DS 4 is participating in our school's annual play. This year, they are doing The Jungle Book. He was cast as a Monkey. By way of background, let me say that there are over 120 kids in this play. There are the traditional cast of characters: Mogli, Baloo, SheerKahn, etc. and then they have added Rocks, Trees, Bushes, and Leaves. The set is beautiful, but full.
On Friday, DS 4 came home and told me he was not a monkey anymore. He said they asked him if he could stand up on the risers and get everyone else around him to sing. They told him they "needed his energy" up there. As the mother, I knew there was another part of the story that he wasn't told.
Now, I don't want to be a "stage mom". I know that putting these productions together is tough at best. Add in that many children, and it is even more difficult. But, I asked the arts teachers so I could help him understand.
It turns out that he wasn't remembering the "monkey dance"....and there were "too many monkeys" anyway. He seemed to freeze (according to the dance teacher).
I went to watch dress rehearsal yesterday and my heart broke. He doesn't have a costume now. Only the t-shirt that the other kids are wearing. He is up on the top riser with some girl crowding him out. He did dance up there. He was doing each and every step that the Monkeys did while he was up there. In fact, there were other monkeys who missed steps and cues, but it was really not a big deal.
So, this morning he says, "I don't want to do that. I want to be a Monkey." I tried to explain that this is what they needed him to do. I told him that he did a wonderful job yesterday. I mean, if you have to be a leaf, be the best leaf you can be, right??
In the meantime, my "Mommy heart" is breaking. They are JUST kids. It's hard not to want to fuss and whine until they reinstate him as a Monkey. But it wouldn't be right, either. It's their play and they have to do what they think is best for all.
The play is this week, Thursday and Friday. It will be a memory very soon (thank goodness). Please say a prayer for my "little leaf". Pray that he is the best leaf that he can be and that this does not leave a sour taste in his mouth.
I'll post pictures when I can. After all, I may be heartbroken, but I am PROUD of him!!
15 comments:
He got shafted.
If they cast him as a monkey, they should let him be a monkey. Monkeys don't do anything with precision...
He should go tell those ladies that he wants to be a monkey and that they should give him another chance.
Alas, we are all proud of your little leaf!!
xo
LBC
Oh! I know that you are so disappointed for him. I think seeing your kids hurt is the most difficult part of being a mom. But...you are doing the right thing! It's so hard to not jump in and try to control things, but you are right to not teach him tha Mom can not always "fix" every hurt! And, you are teaching him to bloom where he is planted. Good for you (even if it is breaking your heart)!
There isn't a mother out here reading this that doesn't feel what you are feeling as we read your words. Good for you though...not being the meddling mom and not trying to fix it all. I believe God has lessons for all of us in each of these life experiences, good and bad. I love the advise of being the best leaf he can be. When he is a grown man you two will remember this and the memory will be good!!!
Poor baby. How disappointing. Sounds like you are handling it like a trooper. Good for you (although I know it is difficult) for letting him work through this one and being there to cheer him on!
Can't wait to see the pics! Love you!
Awww, bless his little heart! I know your Mommy heart is hurting for him, and rightfully so. I think you're teaching him a very important *life lesson* by not fighting this fight for him. I bet he'll be the BEST leaf out there!! Can't wait to see pictures!
I've read lots of really nice comments regarding our "leaf"...but as one of his G'ma's I know that he will be the brightest leaf in the bunch. The toughest part of this story is for Mom and what she has to go through..for that I'm sending a big hug and as you know "this too shall pass". I think A will probably enjoy the play..and in his own way be the best leaf on stage. LY both...C
Reading this post brought back feelings I've felt before. As a mother I know exactly what you are going through. I think you did the right thing by just letting things go. I am proud of you for doing that!
Oh goodness. I hope he "shines" brighter now than he would have as a silly ol' monkey.
I can't wait to see the photos! :)
I agree with Penless Thoughts ... there isn't a mom out here that doesn't feel your pain. If I could have magical power right now, I'd turn your boy back into a monkey. But all the other encouragement and wise counsel you received in these comments is probably more wise than my wishful thinking. Still--it's only a kids' thing--he should get to keep his part. I am sorry you guys are dealing with this. I can't wait to see pictures!
Poor little guy!! No fun. :(
Aw... my 'daddy' heart aches for him too. May the Lord instill rich memories in the both of you.
Oh, I know that Jungle Book backwards and forwards...we wore that tape slap out when Miss Sam was little...all the way up into age ten...I still have wonderful memories of singing those crazy songs while floating her around the pool in her yellow 'submarine' ;) It's never easy being a mom is it?
My heart is broken right there with you...
I know that I want to wrap my kids up in a little cacoon and protect them when these things happen... but then I know that isn't the best either..
so momma, I'll say a prayer that you will survive and your baby will be the best leaf ever.
Blessings
Connie
I recently went through something similar--I had to watch my son have his feelings hurt--I could hardly keep the tears back--sorry for his disappointment.
Awwwwwwww... ya know my Krysti went through times just like this... and it IS hard not to step in an want to protect your little one. I try to look at it as this is probably "one of those lessons" that God needs him to learn right now... and I think YOU are doing a perfect job of helping him to get through it. If you rant and rave and make things go "your way" then he might get to play the monkey (might) but he might be missing an important message that God needs him to get. I think the best you can do is to help him deal with what life tosses his way. You won't ALWAYS be there to "protect" him -- but you WILL always be there to support him!
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