Support thread for parents whose children absolutely refuse to be part of their christmas play/nativity

[Dragonbrandybutter]

We dutifully went along to the nursery christmas play this morning. Then sat with DS to watch the whole thing as he refused to join in.

We ate mince pies, chatted with the other parents then left.

I'm not sure how to feel about it, especially as he'd spent all week asking us to make him a cow costume (which we did), then spent all morning dressed as a cow (leaving fluff all over the house), then refused to be any part of it.

I remember dd as a very red faced fairy being carried in by her teacher - as soon as she was put down she flew over to dh and buried her head in his lap, and wouldn't show her face again.

She's now a 15 year old performer!!

My dd sat on my lap throughout the preschool play shouting that she hated Jesus, the shepherds, the kings the angels whilst the other kids did their bit.

I felt a bit weird too but a week later think it's quite funny.

I really shouldn't worry about it, they are very young. My youngest spent the whole play on my knee, dressed as a shepherd with his thumb in his mouth. He took part in plays when he was ready.

DD1 was a nativity play refusenik when she was at nursery. And that was at church, where everyone was a friend and completely doted on her. No unfamiliar faces at all.

She had the biggest part in the school play this week. Because according to her teacher, "we know she has the confidence to carry it off". Am glad I didn't get too worked up about it when she was little.

Her little sister's nursery show was today. I was rather amazed to see that she was joining in, albeit rather quietly. And she had her "comfort bunny" on her knee (soft toy they give her when she's feeling a bit worried). She did look cute. But her friend sobbed through the whole thing Not sure why they put them through it at that age, really. I'm sure I didn't "perform" till I was at least 7.

i don't know if it's an age thing, as lots of the children are the same age as DS1 and knew all the words to the songs and sang out loud. It was so sweet.
I can't help but wish he'd been doing it too.

Partly age, partly personality.

For what it's worth, a nursery teacher once told me that the quiet ones at nursery often go on to be the leaders in later life. Something about them having a very clear idea how they'd like things to be, but being unable to control their peers when they are so little. So they take a back seat, watch what's going on and bide their time till they feel ready to come forward.

Much more intelligent than signing along with silly songs about snowmen just cos some teacher told you to

It could be wishful thinking but it sounded good to me

yes i like that.

DS has been like that -- he's okay participating until he spots us in the crowd and then he rushes over to sit with us.

Take it as a compliment, sitting with mum is much better than performing for strangers.