Stage Mother May I

Photo by ilco/StockXchange.com

One thing missing from this week's dance recital rehearsals: stage moms.

Not that I'm complaining, mind you.

Maybe you've seen commercials for the television show, Toddlers and Tiaras? Young children compete in pageants. Their moms look like momzillas--overbearing, trophy hunting pageant winner-wannabes who think the world revolves around their child.

I've been a room mom for Christa's dance class for three years now. Each dance class has at least two room moms--and please don't ask me to do the math. Just assume there are a lot of moms backstage looking after the kids.

Once we're all backstage, it's a team effort. We help out with makeup--even if we're not that group's room moms. Every mom has her own individual emergency "bag of tricks"--sewing kits, wet wipes, makeup remover, snacks, bobby pins. Side note: Bobby pins are gold during dress rehearsal and performance night. There's a share and share alike policy when it comes to emergency supplies.

There's been no "My child is the star of the show" attitude paraded around by any of the moms.

And that attitude plays out in the auditorium too. The kids can watch the other dancers perform when they aren't getting ready to go onstage. Everyone--and I mean everyone from the littlest dancers to the most advanced--are applauded and cheered.

Maybe a drama-mama will show up tonight.

I don't think so.

But I sure hope somebody brings some more bobby pins . . . the supply I bought disappeared during dress rehearsal yesterday!