The Conflict Between Parental Peer Pressure and Parenting Advice

We have to let them fly on their own, but also stand around and watch them do it

Photo by Paul Bergmeir on Unsplash

My 10 year old son has spent three weeks preparing to be in a musical.

He has loved the experience and is very excited for the shows.

There are 4 shows over this weekend, each 2 1/2 hours long. The Friday and Saturday night shows start at 7pm. That’s right — 10 hours of shows this weekend.

And we, as parents, are “expected” to go to every one.

What, now? That can’t be right you say. Except that it is, according to the other parents that I spoke with last night. We were chatting during intermission. They were shocked to discover that my husband and I will not be attending tonight’s show. We are sending my 23 year old nephew in our place. “But there’s nothing better than watching my kids do what they love!” One mother said to me.

Now, I don’t want to completely poo poo this comment. I am thrilled that my son is doing something that he enjoys. And I am also happy to see the results and let him know that I am proud of him.

But.

Nothing better than 10 hours of a middle school musical over one weekend? I could think of lots of…