Theatre

WRITING PROMPT # 20: Theatre 

Several years ago, I spoke with a family member who had adopted two little boys. He told me how being an adoptive parent felt different than "traditional" parenting. From his perspective, adoptive parents watch their children grow up without any assumption of who they'll be. Whereas, "traditional" parents tend to predetermine what their kids' talents and skills will be because of genetics. 

During that conversation I remember thinking, I don't want to be the kind of parent that assumes things about my kids' abilities and weaknesses. I'm not going to do that! I don't think my family member was saying it was necessarily a bad thing, but he's not wrong. In books, movies, and T.V. shows, how many teenagers have screamed, "that's your dream, Mom, not mine!"? 

But here we are, twelve years later, and all four of my kids love musical theatre. (Some might even be considered obsessed.) My husband and I were both majoring in musical theatre when we met in college. One might say, it's in our blood. There was never a point in our life when we sat our kids down and said, "listen up, kids. We expect you do theatre." They have been exposed to it their entire lives though. We've lugged babies to rehearsals, we've taken them to shows, and we've sung a lot of show tunes in our home. 

Genetics may play a role, but I think every form of family is shaped over the years simply by observation, tradition, values, and learning from each other. And I think that's a beautiful thing. I know parents who are crazy sports fans. So are their kids. I know parents obsessed with Disneyland. And so are their kids. My children are definitely unique and distinct in their own way, and even though I hope they never feel pressured to be or do something they don't want to, I love that we are: The Ricks Family. 

We are geeky. We are nerds. (They're different.) We're Theatrical. And goofy. And loud. We are the sum of all our parts.

(My dreams came true. We got to sing together on stage for a special gala. Even Hollie had a role. 

She did NOT perform in those banana pajamas.)