Schools got no talent when it comes to inspiring pupils

My girls school had better NOT have destroyed my wee girls spirit and love of singing by forcing her to audition without music (she practised with music and was expecting to do it to music and it's completely different without) and then telling her she isn't good enough to be in their end of year talent show. 

The purpose of the curriculum for excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities - to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor.

Do you think that has happened today?

No, she has come home feeling not good enough, feeling cheated, disappointed and judged. 

Yes there were lots of people wanting to take part but it should not have come down to one persons opinion on wether she was good enough. Do the talent show over two days. Let everyone have their turn. With music or accompaniments or whatever else was needed. 

Well done school, you've TOTALLY filled my girl with confidence and inspired her to want to go back. NOT. Actually, she is already asking not to go next week. 

I don't want to be coming across as some show business type pushy mom but I really despair at the stupidity and callousness of what could have been a really exciting time. They had a perfect opportunity to bolster and boost a small girls confidence but instead they chose to crush it. 

Edit: I've removed the name of the school and there is some confusion as to wether music was offered and for when. Anyway that's not really the issue. The point is over the competitiveness of young children

Is it really all down to just being lovely?

You know, I don't know what i am doing half the time.  Being a grown up is really hard.  Being a grown up with kids is waaay of my scale off knowledge and often it feels, my capabilities.  But tonight I managed.

It started off as "ok, Maia you choose two poems, Ellie chooses two poems, a book each and a song, then its bedtime"  I've started feeling like I need to specify how the evening is going to pan out, if not for their sakes, since I know they won't remember exactly what I said or do it in that order, it was really said out loud for my benefit so I know my limit.  The problem is most nights the girls have a different limit which is definitely way more than mine at 8pm on a Friday night.  

This quickly changes into Ellie reading one of the books she has chosen. I always forget she can do this and is something that every time it happens I am in awe and wonder..ok maybe not every time but I still think its pretty great that she can now give me a break and entertain herself and Maia in one stone, erm....I mean that she gets and gives such pleasure with her reading abilities.  Oh hell its great that she is reading at all instead of watching Scooby fucking Doo.

Then it was Maia's turn, she picked her book.  There was a slight altercation about who was reading the chosen book but it was sorted quickly and essentially all three of us read.

I stuck to my guns on the number of books, and we moved onto the poems.  Maia had hers already chosen.  I know realise she had it chosen right at the start, but when Ellie started reading, I let that be the starting point instead.  Thankfully Maia had been ok with Ellie reading first.  She knew the poem she chose would be read out.

So we had our two poems, which actually turned into way more, because Maia's favourite was done with her name and then with Ellie's name inserted as well as the original. Ellie read her favourite one to us.   I also chose one and whilst I thought Ellie had wangled another one, I had said two each.  Anyway,  I was getting tired by this point and  had decided it would be gentler to go with the flow than try and stick to my feeble plan!

Then we had Ellie's outstanding rendition of Baby Mine, relieved only by the fact that she missed out a few verses the second time round.  I'll ask a few people, husband included if it would be mean to post her version.

Then it was my turn to sing (not recorded thank you very much), then it was sleep.  And if they go to bed happy without any major plot losings from me, than I am happy.  The fact that it was before 9pm made me even happier.

Meltdowns - minimal

Losing the Plot - depends on your definition -  does this count? 

Breastfeeding - reminders now that milk is gone but will be back