It’s time for the annual school nativity play; and every parent is waiting with bated breath to find out which cheesy classic they will be forced to endure for the next month. I will never forget the year of the ‘Whoops a Daisy Angel’ songs on constant repeat in my head. But the school nativity doesn’t need to be a chore or a stress for you and your child. Here are my 5 Ways to beat the stress of the school nativity…
Read our School Nativity Play story here.
The School Nativity Play: The Role of the Parent
1. You have a Part to Play
As a parent, you are not just a spectator at the school nativity play. You have an important part to play in the whole extravaganza, whether you want to or not.
You are required to help source costumes, outfits or accessories. You will be needed to help learn lines, dance routines and a multitude of cheesy songs. You will be their confidence coach and their stamina station as they start to flag during the long Autumn term.
And most of important of all, you will be required to show up. No excuses.
2. Do Your Homework
Christmas is busy and there is a lot for parents to do, but don’t forget to do your homework. Be a source of support for your child as they try to commit their lines to memory.
Practise with them, making it as fun as possible. Who can say their lines the loudest? The quietest? Take a big step back after every line, moving further and further away from each other. By using repetition and play, you will boost their confidence for their big moment.
3. Show Up Early
You need to show up. Do everything in your power to be there or to have someone from the family or your important friend circle be there. Show your child that their moment in the school nativity play is unmissable to you.
And be on time, or even better, be early. So, that when the children file out, a mix of nerves and excitement, desperately looking for your face, they will be able to find you. They will be able to wave and point you out to their friends or their teacher.
4. Embrace the Cheese
School nativity plays range from the hilarious to the mind-numbingly boring, to just painful. I know, I have been to several of them over the years. Don’t be the parent wincing as a child stumbles over their lines. Don’t be the adult on their phone, head down and distracted through the whole performance.
Be the parent who smiles and laughs through the whole shebang. Be the parent who claps the loudest at the end (even if it completely embarrasses your child). Embrace the spirit of cheesy Christmas fun.
So that every time your child looks for you in the crowd, you won’t miss it. For every small little smile or wave, you will be there to reciprocate.
5. Share Your Story
The school nativity play is a great time to big up your kid. Let them overhear you tell others how wonderful they were. How proud of them you are. In the years to come, they won’t remember which part they played or what their lines were or whether they thought the songs were silly. But they will remember that you were there.
The School Nativity Play – Which Parent Are You?
Here is a funny, light-hearted post highlighting the different types of parents who turn up to their children’s school nativity play.
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