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Original poster

DD and this weeks stage coach

28 replies

hercules1 · 27/07/2009 21:11

I have booked dd into a weeks stagecoach at the cost of £125. It is for 3 hours a day.
She goes on a weekly basis and enjoys it.

However, she isn't enjoying this one. She really doesnt want to go back tomorrow. I watched her near the end and although she was doing what they asked she was standing away from the rest of the group and wasn't looking very happy. She didnt know I could see her.

I have been looking forward to this week as it gives me some "me" time not to mention the cost!

But I feel guilty sending her somewhere she may not be enjoying just to give me some time plus the money has already been spent.

She agreed to do it but it was more me iyswim.

She is 5 btw.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules1 · 27/07/2009 21:45

bump

OP posts:
seeker · 27/07/2009 21:49

Can she put into words what she doesn't like about it?

Blackduck · 27/07/2009 21:50

hercules1 can you talk to the people running it and see if they can keep an eye on her, or engage her more or something? Was it clear why she was unhappy (or was she perhaps just tired - 3 hours is a long time for a 5 year old IMO). Not sure what to suggest otherwise - if it is that she is tired is there any chance of maybe doing 2 hours instead? do feel for you thou!

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giraffesCanRunA10k · 27/07/2009 21:52

Is it an hour of singing, hour of dance and then hour of drama? Same format as usual? Is it different teachers/children?

Original poster
hercules1 · 27/07/2009 21:54

No chance of less time as they prepare for a show at teh end of the week. I thought as she is confident she'd love it or at least enjoy it more.

She said she finds it boring. Tbh if she were chosen for a main part of even got a sticker at the end for working hard that would change her whole attitude.

However, I can see why she hasnt been chosen for main part or got a sticker (although they all get one by the end of the week) because she isn't throwing herself into and looks bored.

I do think maybe the 3 hours is too long although she is 6 in October.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules1 · 27/07/2009 21:55

No, it's preparation for a show so not divided up the same way. If I do take her tomorrow I will speak to the staff there.

It is different children as well apart from one child. Staff are nearly all different but she likes them.

OP posts:
giraffesCanRunA10k · 27/07/2009 21:55

I would speak to the principal and see what they can suggest.

giraffesCanRunA10k · 27/07/2009 21:57

x-posts. The sticker for only some people seems very outwith the stagecoach ethos.

Mind you I only remember it when I went myself! Good old theatre mask magazine - do you still get that?!

islandofsodor · 27/07/2009 21:58

Have a word with them. It might be that there are lots of children there she doesn't know (it happens with holiday workshops and sometimes you get groups of friends coming along together)

I had the opposite problem. Ds enjoyed the workshop last year but refused to come to the weekly classes (even though I work there) and it was to do with him wanting to do other things instead rather than not liking it at all.

The 3 hours isn't usually a problem for workshops at that age though there should be a break in between. Maybe she will settle in a bit as the week goes on.

MagNacarta · 27/07/2009 21:58

I'd let her stay at home, it's supposed to be fun and if she's not enjoying it what's the point. The money is spent either way.

islandofsodor · 27/07/2009 21:59

Its called Young Performer now, my dd was in the last issue and should be in the next one too.

islandofsodor · 27/07/2009 22:00

Early Stages don't get Young Performer.

islandofsodor · 27/07/2009 22:02

Re being chosen for a main part. I don;t know how someone else runs things but our shows for that age group evolve over the week, especially if there are children we don't know. Last year a girl was given a solo on day 4 because she seemed capable.

squeaver · 27/07/2009 22:04

Why don't you give her a treat afterwards?

trollbeadaddict · 27/07/2009 22:04

It's her first day - maybe she doean't know many kids. Ask staff if they can make sure the children are socialising as well as rehearsing hard for the show - make sure they do some getting to know each other activities too, and maybe that your dd is paired up with someone. My 2 dds ALWAYS describe things as "boring" if they aren't happy regardless of what the matter is, so that's probably a red herring.

I volunteer with a kids choir, and have found over the years that:
a. most kids are not good at making new friends;
b. kids go into cliques and don't notice others on their own; and
b. staff sometimes are completely blind to this.
Don't give up - I'm sure she'll have a great time by the end of the week. Also - don't underestimate the power of bribery - if it's a big deal for her to go, then promise her a treat afterwards!

MollieO · 27/07/2009 22:05

I would talk to the teachers. Ds did Peform last year. I didn't see him in it until the last day's performance at which he completely refused to participate (he was 4). His teachers were really surprised as he had been enthusiastic throughout the course. If I hadn't been told that I'd have thought he'd hated his entire time there.

Original poster
hercules1 · 27/07/2009 22:07

Dd just woke up (very unusual so I'm next to her now mumsnetting). Worried about tomorrow. We've agreed she'll go if I buy her some little toy puppies and some haribos after.
I said I'll talk to the teachers too although she doesnt seem fussed considering she is getting the toys.

Not good parenting I know but the time it gives me is really precious to me.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules1 · 27/07/2009 22:08

The thing is she doesn't deserve to get a main part although she will get given a line at some point.

OP posts:
trollbeadaddict · 27/07/2009 22:13

I wouldn't feel guilty about getting her a treat - I wish I had a toy and a bag of haribos every time I had to go on a conference and do stupid team building things and mingle with people I've never met before.

giraffesCanRunA10k · 27/07/2009 23:32

My copies of Theatre mask had a teenage Charlotte Church in them! What about Stephanie Mannuel (sp?) is she still around?

Hopefully she will enjoy tomorrow a bit more

cornsillk · 27/07/2009 23:39

I found that the stagecoach teachers take it all very seriously and aren't brilliant at bringing less enthusiastic kids on. I don't know why they're so stingy with the flipping stickers either. Tell them that your dd needs some more encouragement from them in order to gain from them and become more involved - you've paid for it!

Original poster
hercules1 · 28/07/2009 16:06

She went today and I spoke to the owner who was really nice about it and buddied her up with someone. DD said she enjoyed it much more today and was chosen for some sweets at the end (obviously a fix but it worked).
Happy to go in future.

Thanks again for the comments.

OP posts:
islandofsodor · 28/07/2009 20:53

Oh good.

Just to comment on the above post though. I always say that I class it as more of an achievment if a shy child gets the confidence to say 1 line rather thna the naturally confident child shining in a starring role.

We had a child who when she first started didn't speak - at all- for the entire 90 minutes.

As she started to gain confidence she started to speak, very soflty and shyly (is that a word) last term she took a major role, lines clear and confident. She may never become the greatest actress in the world (though her dance is looking really good now) but to quote any reality TV show "she has come on such a journey!!!"

giraffesCantRunA10k · 29/07/2009 00:35

I found SC wonderful for bringing on the quieter ones. I was painfully shy and I remember like it was yesterday the exact words some teachers said to me and I remember beaming with pride. They didn't have the sticker thing when I was there.

Glad she had a better day today.

islandofsodor · 29/07/2009 09:28

We only use stickers with Early Stages. It is an individual teacher thing, some like them, some don't (bit like parents & stickers).

I got some specially printed which say well done.

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