Nativity play invite

Many grandparents are involved in the DGCs lives with walking them to school, babysitting, helping out at school fairs etc etc. So it is really hard not to be able to see their Christmas production. Some schools invite GPs and I understand the pressure for places but I find it hard watching other people's GCs (I am a Governor at a Special School) when I long to see my own. GCs love it if you are there ~ if you are not they think you can't be bothered. Decided to 'gate crash' this year as it was at a big church and then got a very last minute invitation!

I have two GS one in nursery and his nativity had no restrictions so I was able to go with my DH. The older one 7 years however has only ever had one performance and only ever 2 tickets and his mum always takes her mum so I have always missed out! Going to the nursery nativity was wonderful so my DH made the most of it.

Love going to these productions - highlight of my year!

I am surprised at the comments about taking pictures and having videos though. There seems to be a tight ruling about 'vulnerable' children not being photographed in the schools here. Having said that there's always a lot of photos of the plays in the local paper so don't know how they can do that.

I love to go but its rarely possible due to space restrictions and also thy are all a long way away and the plays are often when we are busy so cant go even if invited. W e are lucky in thet we are usually invited if there are tickets to spare. Different schools have different regulations - last year one DiL bought th 'official' video and showed it to us at christmas (it went on for ever before a fleeting appearance of GS!) - th other DiL did ask us but we couldnt go and no videoing was allowed. It seems they ask parents and if even one objects no-one can film.
However i love going to local primary school show where DH is a governor even though I dont know the children.
Apart from playing the usual characters , over the years our own children or grandchildren have been mice, cows, stars, snowflakes, presents and even a spider!

I hav sometimes been a bit resentful if the 'other' grandparents have been but not us. However, I have never head of and dont understand the remark about diluting DiLs experience!!

Anya your view is so funny and trite - much more amusing than anything you'd see in a school Christmas production.

Anya - didn't mean trite, I meant right.

Raemac - At least you were able to watch the DVD. A lot of schools won't now allow them to be made of nativity plays or indeed any school events. A real shame as I know tickets have to be restricted because of the size of many school halls.

My grandson was only allowed two adults at his Nativity. His parents went, so we missed it.

Such a humorous reply - love it. Made me laugh

I meant my comment for Anya

threexnanny, parents are usually asked to complete photo permission forms these days, saying whether or not they agree to their children appearing in photos on the school website or in the press. These are checked out before any photos are taken.

I meant to say the forms are completed when the child starts school.

Tx Anya you made me laugh out loud! Everything you say is true!Lost count of Nativity prouductions seen(6 kids and married to vicar) as a grandma notice some schools accommodate us with an extra performance but enjoy if we are invited!

Just got back from Church, the Nativity paly was great, so so funny, I always cry but this time it was tears of laughter.
Really well written with lots for all the ages of children to do.
There was a Christening before the play, and a lot of visitors for it.
Most of them sat bemused. The play told the story in such a great way, with even a topical Brexit joke too.
The best were the 3 rather dopey Kings who were convinced it was,Gold, Frankinsence and Purr, cue running joke.
Well worth all the work by the teachers and Parents.

Pollyperkins...diluting meant that anyone else's presence is viewed as diminishing or taking away from DiLs experience ..rather than as just lovely family time enjoying it! Anyway, I have just about got used to it now, despite disappointment and sadness over missing a great many events that it would have been lovely to share , both for me and my grandson

At my DGD's school infant schol it is only 2 tickets per family, so they may be telling the truth. My DiL had one ticket and she asked my GD who else she wanted to go and she chose me. As pleased as I was to to, if she hadn't chosen me, I would have just accepted it.

I attended my gd nativity. It was lovely. She is 5. Then I attended my gs Christmas concert. It was shameful. No nativity. The children just sang popular Christmas songs. No carols. The school is multi cultural. The HT even said happy holiday. The Christmas story is about persecution, immigration, generosity and kindness. For non believers. Is it just me that gets disappointed by our culture Being ignored?

Yes there are definitely restrictions nowadays on numbers. Health and safety goes mad. I'd love to go, but know I can't unless parents unable to go. It's a shame, but that's how it is in most schools for sure

What a shame, Lyndie. I worked in a multicultural school and all the families took part enthusiastically in carol services, Christmas Fairs, etc. Most of the children in the Nativity play were from families of Pakistani origin and all their parents came along to watch. The only children who were withdrawn were Jehovah's Witnesses. We celebrated Eid, Diwali, etc, as well, so there was always something going on!

Maggie. I agree . I marketed an Indian restaurant and I suggested they celebrated Diwali. They gave sweets away and had live Indian music. It was amazing and got their restaurant noticed and the local newspapers. It's great to celebrate other festivals.

I am glad I was not invited to see a granddaughter playing a lobster in her nativity play. I think I might have found the script somewhat upsetting

Only 2 tickets per family at my DGC school - parents always (rightly) attend!

I wasn't able to see my 4 year old grandson in his Christmas performance - he was Alien #1, but today he sang one of the songs all the way through to me while we were walking through our local wood - delightful . We've had our family Christmas gathering so it's all quiet from now on.

Last year I was unable to go to the Reception Class' Nativity play as numbers were restricted, this year as there were more tickets/performances in the Y1 and Y2 performance we were able to see my DGS. It was a great chance to laugh and cry at a thrilled DGS who looked angelic although he is normally a little pickle.

However, my DGD (in a different school) who is in Reception was not allowed more than 2 tickets to a single performance. I did ask my daughter to see if there were spare tickets but she just said there was no point, it was 2 tickets per child full stop. She did take a little video though and although DGD was the grumpiest innkeeper you ever did see (she had thought she was going to be Mary), she did beam broadly for the camera which was lovely to see.

Hopefully I will get a chance to see a live performance next year because my DGS is moving away after Xmas.