Friday, December 4, 2009

An Encounter With A Scrooge




You'll have to pardon me this morning, I'm still reeling.

Just as an encounter with kindness at the right moment can soothe your spirit, an encounter with cold indifference can scorch your heart.

My son had to quit the school Christmas play this morning because the rehearsal schedule has become too demanding.

Now, as parents, we don't usually condone or allow quitting, but quitting is when you have agreed to do something and then refuse.  My son never agreed to this rehearsal schedule; actually, at no time, has the music teacher revealed the rehearsal schedule more than a day or two in advance.  I believe expecting 9 and 10 year olds to miss 3 recesses and lunch hours a week for rehearsal -- for months on end -- is wildly unreasonable.  Bear in mind, most of these kids, like my son, have 2 lines and then proceed to stand on their mark for the duration of the concert.  While I am sure it will be wonderful, Broadway it is not.  I thought the point of a school play was to kindle, in children, an interest and enthusiasm for the performing arts; to encourage them toward music and participation, not to provide the teacher a stage to live out her career frustrations to the detriment of the children.  

Because these rehearsals deprive my son of any break between his morning and afternoon classes, he is beginning to struggle with his afternoon classes and admits he cannot concentrate after having no break in his day.  (No talking or recreation of any kind is allowed during these rehearsals.)  I spoke with the music teacher yesterday regarding the difficulties my son is having; she informed me that my son was free to quit.  When I asked her how she could so easily replace him if all these rehearsals were so vital, she explained that she had plenty of understudies.  (Talk about delusions of grandeur!)  So cold she was . . . I pity her that.

So after a couple hours of discussion and tears last night, my son decided he would rather return to his school routine than continue with this rehearsal schedule.  All his enthusiasm, all his dedication, all his hard work squandered for a music teacher's confused priorities.  I, myself, am still reeling from watching my son suffer with the realization that either option is a painful one.  He's only 9. 

Your heart never hurts quite like it does when your child hurts.

I just kissed him goodbye this morning, and wished him a good day, knowing his heart was heavy and hurt.





I will get on with my day now, re-inspired in my mission to create a warm, safe, happy home . . . with lots of Christmas cheer.  My little boy will come to a home with Christmas trees shining, stockings hung, and whatever wonderfulness I can accomplish during these hours. 

Wishing you all a joyful day.






11 comments:

Steve Demory said...

Tell your son that the Christmas Man said put your glasses on that you got here and smile.

Better days are ahead. Mom you made the right choice.

Merry Christmas

LemonyRenee' said...

Well, thank you, Steve, that's a wonderful idea. I think I'll bring them along with I pick him up from school. (They sure get a kick out of them!)

It's wonderful to hear from you again.

humel said...

Aw, honey - your poor boy :-( Mine is 9 too, so I really relate. What a horrible choice to have to make! You and he did the right thing. Does the music teacher not have children?

Hope you and he both feel much better now xx

LemonyRenee' said...

Thanks, Humel. I so appreciate it.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I hate to hear this! This is a season that is all about children, and that woman sounds horribly unreasonable. I think we used to miss CLASS to practice for plays, and we had play practice after school, too. What she demands is unreasonable. I think you summed it up perfectly.

For years and years, our church had a pageant that was wonderful. It involved old Mardi Gras costumes for the wiseman, bathrobes (our dads') for the shepherds, and choir robes for the angel choir. All ages of youngsters participated, and it meant so much. But we did it after school. Our parents drilled us with our parts at home. Sure, we messed up, but we got a chance to be in something wonderful. And while the HS English teacher who conducted the play was a bit scary, she wasn't a complete ogre. Since she worked so she had to meet us after school.

I'm so sorry this happened during the happiest season of the year for kids. Just try and have something wonderful to do with him as a reward for being such a good boy! Something fun. Maybe we can all put our heads together.

XO,

Sheila

Weza said...

What a pity such teachers still exist. She sounds a very unreasonable lady.
Good idea to make the house beautiful for when he gets home. xxx

Anonymous said...

Hugs to your son, Renee! It sounds like that teacher doesn't have her priorities in the right place. I'm glad you do!

Gayla

Chickens in the Basement said...

Hope his day was uneventful! You did all you could to talk sense to the teacher. I'm surprised she hasn't been inundated by parents!

If she is requiring the kids to skip lunch, she has a much bigger problem on her hands. I'm 44 and would have a complete meltdown without my peanut butter sammich at 12:00.

You have helped him learn an important lesson. His feelings count, too!
Anna

blushing rose said...

That teacher fell off the turnip truck! Good for you, I'd have done the same as you. How proud you must be of your son. God bless him.

TTFN ~Marydon
Visit/join our new blog ~ blushingrosetoo.blogspot.com

Our 6 GIVEAWAYS ends Dec. 8th

Becky said...

What an awful thing to have happen to your DS, and all those in her class. You've given him the gift of making a hard choice in order to take care of himself first. Good for you.(((Hugs))) to you all. Have any parents complained to the principal about this yet?

Cindy Ellison said...

One of those lessons in life, this was a wonderful blog. I agree totally with you and it was so well written.

This was a great learning experience for your son, one he will always remember. I think one of life's most important lessons is being able to say the word "no".

In no way in this situation were you or you son a "quitter". It's sad to think this woman is "teaching".

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