Masquerade
Parents ask me, "What happened to my lovely girl/boy? Where did s/he go?" The answer is, they entered adolescence.
Adolescence is when your cute, friendly child puts on the monster mask. You, the parent, are now sitting in the audience, viewing a dramatic play that is being enacted out before you. You may be totally, even unwillingly involved. You may not even want to be there. You may want to leave. Now!
But the play isn't over yet and, since your child is one of the actors, you have to stay until the end.
Well, there is an important consolation. What you are seeing is only one act of the play, and this act is the worst, most tumultuous one. If you can hang in there, you will see the actor unmasked and -- instead of an ugly phantom -- you will find a loving young adult.
To be given the privilege of witnessing a happy ending, you need to stay in your seat and keep your voice low. If you make a lot of noise you take the chance of being evicted from the theatre.
Don't lose this opportunity to be part of "living theatre." Remember: This is a play that has Broadway potential.
Adolescence is when your cute, friendly child puts on the monster mask. You, the parent, are now sitting in the audience, viewing a dramatic play that is being enacted out before you. You may be totally, even unwillingly involved. You may not even want to be there. You may want to leave. Now!
But the play isn't over yet and, since your child is one of the actors, you have to stay until the end.
Well, there is an important consolation. What you are seeing is only one act of the play, and this act is the worst, most tumultuous one. If you can hang in there, you will see the actor unmasked and -- instead of an ugly phantom -- you will find a loving young adult.
To be given the privilege of witnessing a happy ending, you need to stay in your seat and keep your voice low. If you make a lot of noise you take the chance of being evicted from the theatre.
Don't lose this opportunity to be part of "living theatre." Remember: This is a play that has Broadway potential.
posted by Dr. Spiegel at
4:05 PM
4 Comments:
I loved reading this post,I enjoyed your comparison. I am trying to get through ActTwo Scene Four, this is really such a long play, full of lots of pleasant and unpleasant surprizes. I just hope that I will do the right things, react the right way, and hang in there till the curtain closes!!!
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Oiy, this is so hard! Parenting is something I am learning on the job with very little feedback!from the mom of teens
By
Anonymous, at Monday, February 06, 2006
Also important, to remember. Even in a one-actor play, behind the scenes there is a director and a producer.
By
Anonymous, at Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Thank you, all, for your comments. They are enjoyable and enlightening. Your input demonstrates that we are each a participant in our individual family's drama.
When you find yourself "losing the script," however, maybe it's time to consider getting some coaching. It works for actors on-stage and off.
By
Dr. Spiegel, at Tuesday, February 07, 2006
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