I do not like nativity plays

I think team sports are the most brainless pointless things. 2 groups of people running around after 1 ball. Ridiculous when you think about it. (Teamwork is the big plus to be fair). I have hated every single match I've seen and mostly day dream with no idea of what's going on. But I stand under umbrellas and shiver or sweat on the sidelines because its important to my DC. I will continue to support them because I'm their Mum. All schools play sports despite some kids hating them, they all have to do PE so the kids that don't like the nativity can tolerate it because some kids love it and it's their turn to shine.

😂 Wait til the recorder comes home.

I had one kid who was always offered big parts and was happy about it, one who wished she was offered bigger parts and another who would rather clean his room rather than participate. I think that if you child is keen (singing the songs for weeks etc) then it’s rude not to go where as for the one who wasn’t keen, I offered him an excuse not to go to the evening performance (no lines so didn’t affect the play)
FWIW I think that the enthusiasts attend to see their child, they don’t care about the actual play unless it’s a performance school like Brit School and the kids have professional ambitions.

I absolutely hate all that stuff and find it torturous to sit through. YANBU.

Even if you don't like them, it's once a year for a few years. I can't understand how you don't enjoy seeing DC on stage and the pride and love it brings but that's fine, it's important to them. Xx

It was tedious

I think we’ve got to the point in society where everyone expects everything to be highly entertaining all the time. Your child as third shepherd is just never going to compete with the dopamine hit you get from scrolling your phone.

Get the school to do Lights, Camel, Action next year, I actually quite enjoyed watching that one!

One of the things I'm dreading about mine starting school. I will go but I'm not looking forward to it at all.

You have to be a special kind of grinch not to find any joy in a child’s nativity!!!

Can I ask.. do you actually HAVE children?

Or are you a step-parent or a step grand-parent dragged to something that you have literally no connection with?

I know you said you have a daughter, but that's such a weird reaction about seeing your own daughter?

People enjoy it because they like watching their child perform, not because it's great entertainment in itself! Surely that's obvious?! It can be cute and (often unintentionally) funny, but I'm a bit baffled that you were somehow expecting the story to be the highlight! I mean... everyone knows the story, so I'm not sure how you were disappointed by it! You have clearly misunderstood what it is that 'enthusiasts' like about it.

I used to love nativity plays as a kid. First plays I ever performed in and began a lifelong love of drama and theatre.

Are you actually on crack?

‘Sorry darling, but I shan’t be attending your next school performance. Quite frankly is was a rather dull and amateurish affair and beneath me. When you’re all able to produce a half way professional version of The Seagull let me know and I will consider giving up an evening to attend. The same goes for that god awful racket you make with the school orchestra, and as for your performance at sports day…’

Are you serious? No one goes for the story or the production value. They go to support their child - who will no doubt be rather nervous and desperately hoping their parents will be proud- and to be filled with that warm sense of pride at watching their child perform.

You need to get over yourself and learn to appreciate the little things.

but then parents complain that the PTA helpers who organised, set up and sell the wine reserved their seats, as they sit down at the very last minute, and will tidy up after but still would like to see the play. Can't win 😂

It "benefits" a huge amount of children.
Often their first experience of the theatre world.
Is it that it was a nativity play that you're actually annoyed at?
If it had been "Reception and Key Stage 1 Present Jack and the Beanstalk" would that be ok?

Of course they’re boring and, generally, a bit shit. That’s the whole point of them. But the kids (and teachers) work so extremely hard every year to make them happy. I think a lot of children get overwhelmed by the performance itself (DS did) but it’s part of their development. I remember when we were considering deferring DS in Reception and the Deputy Head said that, is his experience, the worst time to start would by January because the nativity play was something that they found was a real bonding experience for the children. It’s not just about the play too, it teaches them so many other important skills as well.

I was a nativity play enthusiast, then they banned me from being closer than 1000m to a Primary School. So unfair.

Seriously OP, you go because your children are in the play, and they are proud that Mummy (and Daddy and Granny and Uncle Pete) saw them in the play and said how wonderful they were, and in a few years you won't ever get that again if you don't do it now.

People aren't going because they think the dancing is better than at Saddler's Wells.

Also, children look bored all the time. For my kids it was basically the default setting.

Everyone goes for the sake of their kids only.

absolutely not

Why do you want to remove the experience for the children? Learning, rehearsing, playing in front of an audience? Being confident in public is a life skill, they don't do anywhere near enough in state school, you can't remove what little they do.

You don't build confidence by never doing anything.

I don’t enjoy sports day either but I go to support my child.
At least at the Nativity they sell mulled wine 👍

I have three DC and one year I went to three nativities (when they were in nursery, reception and year 2). It does get a bit tedious but I disagree with you OP about the children not enjoying it. I mean maybe a couple don't, but most of them loved it IME.

a lot of kids love it!

Parents love seeing their own child, and frankly couldn't give 2 monkeys about other children, but that's true of each parent attending, so we all make efforts for the group.

I find it sad that you are so negative about your own child. Are you miffed they were just given the part of a tree or a door, or whatever delightful non-part was invented that year? Sounds like you are😂

It's the bible. It's not going to be up to date on sexism lol.