They say that public speaking is feared more than death. I love the limelight when speaking is concerned, but my singing is limited to the car or shower or in front of the kids. (Blu wishes that I'd stop singing when he's around too, but he's a captive audience on a road trip.)
The kids were born to sing and dance. They put on shows for us whenever we have a family event and sing their way through the day. Last week, London had his first big kid performance with a first and second grade music assembly. For most kids, singing in front of a crowd can be intimidating. But with all of the inputs -- lights, people, loud noise -- I was worried that London might not be able to handle it all.
I think I've mentioned that London bites when he's really overwhelmed. So far -- knock on wood -- he hasn't chopped down on a classmate. He's opened his mouth like he was going in for a big bite of flesh but has been able to stop himself. As I watched him walk onto the stage, I imagined the worst. Would he bit the kid next to him in front of his whole class? Would that be the thing kids remember about him at high school graduation?
Spoiler: He was fine. (I didn't want you to get too worried.) Before the show, I reminded him of some of the exercises he learned at occupational therapy. He kind of brushed me off at the time, but I saw him using them during the show which made me more proud of him than I already was. He sang. He danced. He kept his cool. That was a really big deal.