Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To discourage child from doing something he really wants to do because he will be rubbish at it?

76 replies

WallisFrizz · 12/06/2018 19:55

DS is Y1. They are having a school talent competition. He wants to enter...playing “air trombone”.

He is adamant he wants to do this and I have seen his act...it will not end well for him. I tried to tell him this and he looked crushed.

Should I just let him get on with it?

OP posts:
LooksBetterWithAFilter · 12/06/2018 20:16

Yeah find some backing music to help them out and get them practicing.
Dd joined the jrock when the school started doing it in her final year at primary. She has dyspraxia so her coordination is rubbish. I was really worried she’d feel bad doing it but I encouraged and the way she was talking she was hidden in a crowd scene. Now I have cried at school sports days watching her struggle with a huge smile on her face she really could fall over fresh air.
I’d seen her practice at home and she was wooden and visibly painting her steps. When we went to watch her perform turns out she had a huge part and I sobbed the whole time she was on the stage it was the first time I’d ever seen her look like the other children in something like that she was awesome.
I nearly talked her out of it and I’m so glad I didn’t now.

I think your ds is little enough for people to think it’s funny and cute bet the older kids will think he’s adorable.

The3 · 12/06/2018 20:19

Air trombone sounds ace! What a confident child you must have. Good luck to him.

PumpkinPie2016 · 12/06/2018 20:19

Aww let him have his moment!

I love kids at that age when they are willing to just have a go and don't feel embarrassed.

I don't think the other kids will laugh - not at primary school. The ones of similar age will love it and the older kids will likely think it's cute and recognise that he is only little so will clap for him anyway!

Littletreefrog · 12/06/2018 20:20

Sounds fab get them a fun backing track I'm thinking Cheerleader by Omi and let them practice a few times. I bet it could look really good actually (as far as a 6 year old playing an 'air' instrument can look good)

Beamur · 12/06/2018 20:21

DD's school did this a few years ago. One little boy decided to 'dance' which consisted on him jumping on the spot for 3 minutes, hilarious and very sweet!

Notquiterichenough · 12/06/2018 20:22

That would go down really well at our school, honestly. He'll probably make the final. In fact, if it is our school, I'm sure I'll hear all about it!

Whereismumhiding2 · 12/06/2018 20:23

The more I think about it, the more I'm impressed with what a joyous little boy you have! He's got plenty of time to worry about what's cool or not. 5-6 year olds don't IME.
You might enjoy working on 'his act' with him. But let him do it his ways and offer suggestions (if he's open to any). Video him at home and show him so he can refine it himself. A short version of Bohemiam rapsody, on CD, might lend itself to such an act!

justcheese · 12/06/2018 20:23

DD entered her school talent show in Y3. Her act was that she could fit her whole fist in her mouth.

She got 6 votes

Original poster
WallisFrizz · 12/06/2018 20:25

Thank you Four4me. Genuine best wishes for your sister.

You’re all right, instead of raining on his parade, I will get some props and music and tell him to go for it.

OP posts:
Original poster
WallisFrizz · 12/06/2018 20:26

Just cheese Grin

OP posts:
SnapCards · 12/06/2018 20:27

it’s him and his friend who will be on the “air drums”.

I think it sounds great! We always argue about who gets to watch the talent show auditions at our school Grin

SenorBork · 12/06/2018 20:27

Try Sam and the Womp, that would be a great track for it.

category12 · 12/06/2018 20:29

YABU. I've sat through numerous small children's shows. He is up there with a friend, they'll have fun, the audience will be sympathetic and you'll cheer loudest. Make sure he has a backing track and be charmed.

MyOtherUserNameIsAUnicorn · 12/06/2018 20:29

When I was 12 (Year 8) My friends and I dressed in some ill fitting River Island clothes masqueraded as the Spice Girls in the school talent contest. We literally played "Wannabe" and stood on stage and wiggled a bit. I don't think we even mimed.

It was brilliant and although I'm sure some older kids thought it was hilarious, I didn't notice at the time and had a great time.

user1495997773 · 12/06/2018 20:32

Yeah, Bom Bom by Sam and the Womp would be great

MyOtherUserNameIsAUnicorn · 12/06/2018 20:32

Equally as a teacher I once sat through a particularly talent free Eistedfodd where the worst culprit was a Year 9 boy "singing" Danny Boy and not hitting one right note, but in the spirit of it, everyone sang along with him and cheered his obvious enjoyment of being on stage. If DS is positive he will enjoy himself

Muddlingalongalone · 12/06/2018 20:35

If it's any consolation, Dd1 and her friend are apparantly dressing as clowns and doing a "comedy" circus act.
I think she'll fit right in with the gymnastics acts and little mix tribute acts 😂😂😂😂
As long as he's having fun let him carry on. Wouldn't it be great not to be self conscious and just go for it.

Unescorted · 12/06/2018 20:37

Why make him afraid so early. At school and later they give you courses to teach you bravery to do presentations- give him a headstart and support him wholeheartedly. Believe in him and celebrate getting up and doing. He will thank you later.

MyNewAlias · 12/06/2018 20:38

At a holiday camp my then 10 yr old DD recited a poem in the talent show. One girl of similar age did skipping with an invisible rope! Everybody cheered.

TheFirstMrsOsmond · 12/06/2018 20:39

This thread reminds me of that bit in the film About A Boy when Marcus wants to sing the song "Killing Me Softly" for his mum in the school talent show....

TeacupDrama · 12/06/2018 20:40

yes definitely encourage it's not BGT it's about having fun, it;s only as they get a bit older that they catch the embarrassing thing

however if it was BGT I would be with you, the parents insisting their child can sing when even someone that is hard of hearing like me can tell they are singing all the wrong notes then I think the parents would have been wise to tell wee Johnny he really couldn't sing but in Primary it really really doesn't matter especially in Y1

TheFirstMrsOsmond · 12/06/2018 20:40

It ends fine for him (because Hugh Grant saves the day!)

Rozzzzzalmost35 · 12/06/2018 20:42

YABU

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 12/06/2018 20:42

It'll be him, in among 100-odd other kids all doing the floss. Everyone will be grateful for him and his trombone.

Original poster
WallisFrizz · 12/06/2018 20:43

Skipping with an invisible rope...awesome!

This has cheered me up and made me feel bad about discouraging him in equal measures. I will definitely get on board with the idea when he’s up in the morning. That Sam and the Womp song sounds promising. Thanks.

OP posts: