Teacher took my child’s Nativity part away

[Purplehaze34]

Ds had bronchiolitis last week but is now much better. He had three speaking parts in the Nativity which is being performed next week and the teacher has chosen to take them from him and given them to someone else.

He was off for a few days due to illness last week. AIBU to think the teacher is unfair? My boy is gutted

Did the teacher give you a reason? Has he got any part now?

He presumably hasn’t been in school for rehearsals and they didn’t know whether he’d be well enough in time to perform on the day. It’s upsetting for him, but just life, really. I don’t think it’s unfair, but have a word with the teacher and see if he could have at least another small speaking part.

Presumably she had to put someone else in for the three days of rehearsals while he was off, would it be better to take it away from that child?

These performances are hours of work, teachers can never please everyone. I'd hope she explained why she did it though.

I sympathise, I would be gutted for my child. But looking at it if I was the teacher, esp in the current health climate where a cold can mean 14 days isolation, I can understand and approve.

Try to be positive about it to your child, as they will take their cue from you too at some level (depending how old they are, my teens are rather unimpressed when I try the silver lining/Pollyanna thing - but I still do it so they can see the other side too).

From the teacher's perspective, it was just too risky:-
He might not have been back in time for the play.
He might have been back, but not be able to perform to his best e.g. he might not have his full voice or 100% of his usual energy, especially if there are evening performances.
He might not have learned his lines.
He certainly wouldn't have practised his cues or know about any changes made or instructions not in the script.

A decision would have had to be made so there was no uncertainty and the reserve child had time to practise. It would be more unfair to take the part away from the other child now, having put in the work.

It's fine to feel gutted, but you need to help him overcome that and move on.