On our best behavior

When I heard that the Pacific Northwest Ballet was to do a performance of Sleeping Beauty, with the idea of introducing young children to the experience of going to the ballet, I was surprised to be triggered — even though I do not remember that experience ever being visited on me as a child. Just the thought of it was my idea of hell.

Any occasion which has children dressed up in fancy clothes and on their best behavior is something I prefer to avoid — even as an aged adult. In my own childhood experience, this meant going to chapel when staying with grandparents and the occasional wedding.

Personally, I never had a problem wearing a posh frock and my best shoes and having to sit properly and be quiet. I was good at behaving myself. What made it so upsetting for me were children — boys in little suits and bow ties — girls in fancy dresses and white tights and black patent shoes — who could not sit still, be quiet, or be on their best behavior if their lives depended on it.

From my seat, I would watch the other children fidgeting, climbing over things, and running around — and totally getting away with it — with nothing more for a reprimand than a performative “shhh - no running around.” And I would resent the strict discipline I got from the adults in my life. No wonder other children thought I was unfriendly and no fun at all.

At the ballet, there will be a few children who are captivated and inspired as a whole new world is opened up to them. And there will be well-behaved children who sit patiently through the performance and will be relieved when it is over. But all I can think about is having to watch the performance around a little girl doing handstands on the seat in front of me. For most young children, this is a challenging environment to be in for any length of time. Why not wait until they are older?