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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To stand in the rain for an hour so I can be at the front for my son's navitity

46 replies

mightyducks · 17/12/2014 13:25

DH thinks I'm mad, they make us queue up outside and it's peeing it down! He has one of the main parts though, am I bonkers or have you gone to desperate measures to see your little one in their play?

OP posts:

dannydyerismydad · 17/12/2014 13:26

Nope, not mad at all.

My view was obliterated yesterday by idiot parents standing. I'm going back early this afternoon!

Olivo · 17/12/2014 13:27

I can only usually escape to be there at the last minute, so. Y place is usually standing and the back, but I. Find I get a better view than those sitting down.

I wouldn't queue in the rain.

NorwaySpruce · 17/12/2014 13:27

Hmm, the best view at ours was had by the people standing at the back.

Front rows were reserved for attending pupils, teachers, governors etc.

Summerisle1 · 17/12/2014 13:27

If you are prepared to get drenched and cold then it's up to you! I've never gone to desperate measures myself but then I always had to fit nativity plays around work so the chance to be there an hour early wasn't available. Despite ds2 managing to land lead roles twice - little drama llama that he was!

emeline · 17/12/2014 13:29

YANBU! Precious moments, so transient. My kids still remember now the fun of being in the nativity, and the fun of me being right there at the front and our 'secret' looks and smiles.

Treasure of life!

Goingintohibernation · 17/12/2014 13:29

I've often wondered how early those parents that get the seats at the front get there. I agree with others that standing at the back gives you a good view.

Original poster

mightyducks · 17/12/2014 13:30

Thank you, I'm off to get drenched, wish me luck!

OP posts:

PrincessOfChina · 17/12/2014 13:37

I sent MIL and FIL and they got us great seats. To be fair, the theatre has tiered seats so most people had a good view.

o0 · 17/12/2014 13:38

Our school has pull out bleachers in the gym hall so everyone ends up being able to see perfectly.

I still go early just to get a parking space!

Good luck Mighty.

flossieflower · 17/12/2014 13:41

My mum was an hour and a half early when DD was Mary- the office staff offered her tea and biscuits while she waited! Got the front row though!

flipchart · 17/12/2014 13:41

From what I remember the front rows were reserved for the head teacher and people connected to the school such as the governors and others so even if you queued from 7.00am you wouldn't have got the front row seats. I preferred to be at the back where I could stand and got a really good view.

KatoPotato · 17/12/2014 13:44

Our school provided numbered seats and tea, coffee and mince pies beforehand. Also no filming, a DVD is being made by a sixth year in the feeder academy. All profits to PTA, it was a pleasure this year!

SantasBassoon · 17/12/2014 13:46

You need to volunteer to help get the children ready in their costumes. The teacher should then reserve you a seat because you can't queue up and they owe you a favour

BackforGood · 17/12/2014 13:50

Well I think you're bonkers. You do realise (depending on the way the hall is set up) that the vast majority of people won't be able to sit on the front row, and still enjoy their dcs' plays and concerts, don't you ?

IWillOnlyEatBeans · 17/12/2014 13:50

I queued from 9am, play started at 10am. DS1 was Joseph. They only get to play the parts in Reception - the older classes sing in the choir. I got some grief from the office staff, but frankly I don't care. It was worth it!

IAmNotAPrincessIAmAKahleesi · 17/12/2014 13:54

I was right in the front one year because they reserved a space for my wheelchair, but other parents complained so now I'm put right at the back every year and people standing front of me!

Good luck mighty, hope you get a great seat and your little star shines brightly

CatWreathkeith · 17/12/2014 13:59

IamNotAPrincess. Really? Not sure which is worse, that people complained about you being at the front or that people stand in front of you.

I am sorry some people are such total arses.

manicinsomniac · 17/12/2014 14:03

We have to tie the hall doors the parents access together with rope 3 hours beforehand to stop parents getting in and laying scarves and coats across the front seats.

One year I came in from the school side and there was still a parent who'd managed to get in. The only way he could possibly have managed it was to come through a door at the very back of the hall and then wriggle flat on his stomach all the way underneath the stage (big stage, lots of metal legs in the way) until he came out by the chairs. I was

Good luck; hope you've got a good seat.

Sparklingbrook · 17/12/2014 14:18

I have teens now and look back on Primary school nativities with a mixture of wistfulness (because I can't go any more) and rage.

Not once in 8 years did I get to sit at the front. The doors would open and there would always be the same people (plus their relatives) already sat at the front.

I was lucky to get a glimpse of the top of either DS's head. One year DS1 didn't even know I was there and accused me of not turning up. I couldn't see him nor him me.

flipchart · 17/12/2014 14:22

CatWreath I don't know why you are being outraged because people complained about Iamaprincess. Surely just because someone is in a wheel chair it doesn't give them automatic right to ruin the view for everyone. Before everyone jumps down my throat,all I mean is that with a bit of thought a wheel chair user can be placed where they have a good view eg at the side near the front and everybody else can see as well.
This is what happens at DS's former school.
Just a bit of consideration for everybody.

I agree that people that stand in front of her are arses but they would do that to a non wheel chair user anyway. In other words, some people are just arses!!

pudcat · 17/12/2014 14:45

At the school I taught in, we tiered the rows by putting very small Reception class chairs for the front rows and then getting larger until there were the teachers' chair for the back row. Followed by room to stand. So parents had to choose whether they wanted to sit comfortably or squeeze onto a tiny chair with no elbow. I am so glad those days are over - parents refusing to take disruptive younger siblings out even though we ran a creche, parents ignoring the no phone/camera rules (we gave them photo opportunities afterwards) and rude parents talking all the way through. Some parents take no notice of the head teacher's requests. They were even worse for the Church carol service - we used to collect bin bags of rubbish at the end. I don't go to my granddaughters' plays as I would not be able to keep from telling parents to be quiet.

Original poster

mightyducks · 17/12/2014 16:37

Well I made it onto the 2nd row, front row was for staff and Governors only. My boy was brilliant! Very proud Mum

OP posts:

Libitina · 17/12/2014 18:02

Flipchart, who said she was blocking other peoples views?

Re standing in front of non wheelchair users, I'd imagine that the non wheelchair users have the option of also standing for a long enough period to be able to see the play. IamNotAPrincess may not be able to do that so why shouldn't she sit at the front like an able bodied parent?

Picklesauage · 17/12/2014 18:19

My school was had an hiker opus solution this year! The front 2 rows were on reception chairs (tiny) then 2 rows of year 1 chairs, then 2 rows of year 2 etc. so those at the front were short and uncomfortable. Those at the back were taller and more comfortable. NOONE is allowed to stand except the teAchers leading the play. You WILL get thrown out of you attempt to stand! Our office ladies are fierce!

Kiffykaffycoffee · 17/12/2014 19:03

Well done OP. Hope you get a good seat! I've been going to school concerts for the past 6 years and haven't ONCE got a seat on the front row I think you have to camp out the night before to get a front row seat or bribe the PTA

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