Yesterday I took ds (nearly 5) to see Joseph's technicolour dreamcoat at the local theatre. He saw the advert in the flier and asked to go. I thought I had prepared him well. We'd watched the dvd, listened to the cd, I'd talked about what was going to happen (first we'll go in the car park, then we'll walk to the theatre, the lights will go down etc etc) and he seemed fine. He thoroughly enjoyed the show, sat enthralled and although he wanted to hold my hand throughout he didn't seem unduly nervous.
But the second the show finished he had a massive melt down. "I just want my normal house and my normal toys. It's too different, I just want everything to be normal" and so it went on for about 20 mins, poor fellow was inconsolable and I felt terrible. something that was meant to be a treat had overloaded him.
so what could I have done differently to have made the experience easier for him? any suggestions much appreciated.