Pantomime resistance

[FabFitFifties]

My just turned 12 year old is saying he doesn't want to go to any pantomimes this year. I had a dread of this last year, so we did 3 🤣, which he did enjoy. Despite anticipating this, I'm still gutted.
YABU - give the kid a break, he's growing up
YANBU - keep chipping away, until he cracks.

It was probably going to three that put him off!

Can you go to the cinema as a family instead?

Oh that's a family tradition for us! Started when DD1 was 2 and a half. DDs are now 24 and 26 and they still ask to go! All of my nieces and nephews still love to go- ages ranging between 18 and 28!

12 year old boy - no. Esp if no younger siblings in the family. It’s infantilising let him do something he’d enjoy more & go yourself if it’s you that loves panto’s at Xmas.

I thought you were going to say you had younger kids too. A 12 year old on his own? No, I wouldn't expect him to be thrilled!

3 pantos in one year ?

Frankly I'm surprised he's still talking to you. Still it will be a good talking point when he starts therapy!

I'm pleased you are respecting his preferences this year. Why not ask him what he would like to see at the theatre, or maybe go to a sports event together. I love going to the cricket - OK not at this time of year, but you can look at booking a T20 match next year

Don't blame him. Pantomimes are awful. Absolutely hate them. Never ever go. Poor kid... listen to him and don't make him go!

We changed from Panto to theatre at Xmas - this year going to see Elf

I can't believe you dragged him to 3

I hate pantos and DS seemed to hate them from an early age, so we managed to escape them.

I remember one of DMs friends asking me to one as a teen and thinking that they were really childish and for young DCs, certainly not me.

Don't force him to go - is there anything else he might enjoy instead? We had a good outing to a Christmas magic/comedy show at that age.

😂

Would he go to the theatre for another sort of show? I do enjoy panto with my young kids. I was dreading going as thought it would be shit, but went to two with them last year and we loved it. However, I would prefer the theatre for something else. We can't go to that many with ours yet as they're too little, but I assume we'll just switch panto for theatre when they're older

Pantomime resistance?

Be a bit rubbish at the assassination side of things. Every time they'd get close to a target someone would shout they're behind you!

I've always loathed Panto ... in fact I've probably only been to two in my life so I fully sympathise with your DS. But my DH loves Panto .. he took our DS once (I refused to go) and DS hated it so much they left at the interval. Poor DH (62!) moans every year that he has no one to go to the Pantomime with

Accept what your DS says, it is hard as a parent when something you see as a 'treat' is not appreciated ... but accept it gracefully.

I'm surprised he went last year tbh. Pantomimes are pretty expensive in my neck of the woods and they go on for hours! Took my DC when they were 5-8 but they have never really talked about it much and don't think it was their thing. They are 14 and 16 now and still talk about seeing the Nativity musical on stage and it was a fantastic production.

I consider it an achievement that 14 yr old DD has agreed to come and watch the Muppet Christmas Carol at the cinema with me in December, although it was my suggestion and I am way more excited than she is 😁

They are expensive - although we are going next week as part of a group and the tickets were £13 each which isn't much more than the cinema. Not sure about it going on for hours though, usually it's a 7.30 pm start, 20 minute interval, finished by 9.45 ish.