To think this is selfish (nativity)

[LolaDabestest]

My child's nativity today, 2 showings morning and afternoon. My daughter had a decent part with lines...not showing off they started school as a shy quiet child so massive step for her and I wanted to get her part on my phone. Anyway got there 15 minutes early I'm never one of the saddos that arrives early to hog the front row I always just slink to the back.
Bare in mind I was 15 minutes early front row was filled and ended up having to slink to the back.
I looked along the front row and there was literally about 4 parents the rest were obviously extended family bit peeved but hey they obviously got there mega early I don't got time for that shit.

I had to stand at the back zooming in to get a vid of my child which was annoying but hey ho. Anyway my aibu is I later found out that the parents at the front mum, dad, two sets of grandparents had been to both the showings (4 hours apart) and took up half the front row in both shows!! Their child didn't have a speaking part(), it's really pissed me off tbh as they should have at least let other parents have a chance at being at the front to get some decent pics etc. And the fact that it was half their family as well.

Anyway I know I sound precious but without going into things this was a massive moment for my child and it would have been nice to actually have had a decent view and come away with a nice vid of her part.

[nuxe1984]

Usually only allowed to go to one show. I'd mention this to the school as it's a bit unfair.

[CasanovaFrankenstein]

Yes it was rude of them to hog all those seats.

[MintyMabel]

I'd mention this to the school as it's a bit unfair.

Oh don’t be silly. The school don’t need to do anything. The OP just needs to get there earlier.

[FriedasCarLoad]

Yes, it was inconsiderate of them to take up all of the prime seats for two performances.

[Mothership4two]

My sons primary school used to limit spaces to two only. And no parent was allowed to film the event, but the school would video one of the shows and which we could buy later (making a little profit for the school). We also had to give permission for our kids to be filmed. It worked well and stopped seat hogging,

Yes that family was selfish but you should have got there early too if you wanted a better seat.

[Bootstraps]

All those saying the OP should have got there earlier - what if she couldn’t because of work?

[rainbowbear10]

our school events It was always the same same parents in the front few rows for full 7 years. they would get there early put jackets to keep seats for friends and family.
our school had a NO photo . video policy but it didnt stop parents taking them.

[Elfthaygotaway]

those saying the OP should have got there earlier - what if she couldn’t because of work?

So what do you suggest as an alternative?
The op thinks that the children with the main parts should have their parents at the front.
So maybe it could be row 1- 2 Main parts so probably parents of children playing Mary and Joseph.
Rows 3-7 parents of angels, inkeepers, shepherds
And at the back parents of all children with none speaking parts? Is this the way to go?

Or maybe, like a sensible person, you just get there as early as you can. Be proud of your child and sit in the best seat possible. If your child asks why you weren’t at the front you tell them mummy rushed from work to see you today and we are so proud.
Forget what other people are doing.
And certainly don’t be so unkind as to suggest parents of children who have not none speaking parts are confined to the back.
No such nonsense at my ds school and it would not be taken well if someone, full of their own self importance, believed they should have a seat at the front because their child had more lines.

[LollyBeebee123]

I am a teacher, and I agree with you this should never have happened. At my school (and also my own children’s school) there are 2 tickets allocated to each family for one performance or 1 ticket for both performances. Any additional tickets are balloted. You should make your feelings known to the school and request that they change their policy to prevent this from happening in the future. At my school (and my children’s) no one is allowed to record the performance due to child protection. Parents are informed of this before the show begins and are invited to photograph their own child at the end. Each parent is emailed an official picture of the performance too. (with any at risk children removed) Hope this didn’t spoil your enjoyment of your little ones big moment.

[Attitude84]

My rude ass would have just went to the front (in the isle) when my child’s part came on and stood and taken various videos and pictures!!!

[Attitude84]

@LollyBeebee123 my child’s school did permit pictures and videos being taken, however you were not to post them on social media without parents permission. I never did anyway. If I posted pictures I made sure they were of just mine or I would have the other kids faces blurred/covered out

[goose1964]

When my kids were at school, and now my grandchildren are, it has always been policy for only 2 adults per child to get tickets. This seems odd.

[onioncrumble]

I don't think anyone remembers that this is intended to be a fun learning experience for the children, not for the parents to fight over.
I hate hate hate the filers at these things, seriously, as cute as your kid probably is, I can assure you that you are the only person who wants to watch a wobbly, grainy video of the backs of parents heads and some (sweet but let's face it, crap) singing

[onioncrumble]

*filmers

[hel0225]

Maybe suggest to the school two tickets per child and then they request additional ones. My daughters school did this so it was fair. We got two for the evening show for us and requested 4 for afternoon performance for 2sets of grandparents - we only got allocated 1 set but can’t complain lol they only have so much room.

[TrishTeres]

"She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid her baby in a manger because there was no room at the inn. ". - She is still the most blessed and full of grace and mother to God. She did not even get a proper place for her newborn baby. I agree that it was unfair that others monopolised the seating. I would feel the same way. I might even have requested politelyyselg or requested of a member of staff that they do. We should sometimes act for justice. However I think the Nativity itself puts such things, when they happen, in a radical new perspective.

[bemusedmoose]

In our school you only get 2 tickets per child you can then choose to use those for the same performance or one each. Seats are first come first served. They que for nearly an hour! (mainly because there is no time to go anywhere after drop off so might as well wait).

They were massively out of order and selfish (bit like the 6ft plus bloke built like a brick wall who sat in front of me im only 5ft with a toddler on my lap and videoed the entire play on an ipad. The only way I could see a thing was to watch it on his bloody screen).

I didn't video this year as last time they made a cute dvd to buy to raise funds and wanted one to show my son. Wasn't til after the play I found out they aren't doing it. Bit miffed, my daughter was awesome (they all were but obviously we love our own kids bits the best). But i was there, i saw it, i loved it, she loved it and loved me being there. A video is just a bonus.

[PTW1234]

Our primary buts the 2 nativities each class does on different days.

You can only bring 2 people and go to one.

They also raffle off the front row tickets which I think is a good idea!!

[Chocmallows]

In my DC school you used to drop your DC in and rush to queue. Some families saw the event as a whole family event and large groups pushed in meant you were stuck at the back regardless. Some rushed in with toddlers despite being asked not to and there was noise throughout. They have switched to 2 adult tickets per family, so we'll see how that goes.

[Toomuchtrouble4me]

This is the schools fault ax ndd D.C. you should raise it with them to allocate tickets for one show or the other - in mine the first to but the tickets gets the front row - back is way better anyway because you can stand and film.
I think ‘other child didn’t even have a Speaking part’ makes it sound as though you think you’re more entitled to a great seat because you’re kid is more important.

[Barney60]

our school only allows direct parents/ 2 people, think id be inclined to mention this to head, doesn't solve your problem but might do for next year.

[Devora13]

Sounds like school managed it badly. Ours allows 2 tickets per family for each performance.

[Happyher]

Better to just remember seeing your daughter perform. Don’t let other people’s bad behaviour affect you. Forget it and enjoy your kids while they’re little

[TrishTeres]

Why The Nativity is true...

www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2019/December-2019/Confidence-in-Christmas-Why-the-Nativity-story-is-true?utm_source=Premier%20Christian%20Media&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=11149866_Christianity%20Sunday%2015%2F12%2F19&utm_content=Confidence&dm_i=16DQ,6MZAI,61BD3D,QFWPS,1

[PeachyPeachTrees]

2 adults per child
Chose showing 1 OR showing 2
Guest list, ticking names off as people go in

This is what our school does, it works well.