School Christmas Play.

[Bizzy Lizzy]

This always causes problems every year as there are never enough ticket for DH and I and other Grandparents to go. The parents get tickets and then there are usually two more issued. The year before last DiL just gave the two tickets to her parents without mentioning it to DS2 or anyone else. He was very surprised to find that her parents were there and no sign of us. Last year we were given one ticket as her Mother couldn't go anyway and I was invited to go with DiL's father. I managed with a great deal of difficulty to get another ticket so DH and I could both go. I thought as her parents had gone the year before we might have been selected to go but no. Today we got an email from DiL addressed to us and also her parents saying there are two tickets so sort it out between us. I have finally given up and just emailed everyone to say that her parents can have the two tickets. Too much hassle.

[Grauntie Mag]

Good grief! She's no diplomat, is she? We aren't invited to go at all. I suppose there are so many different combinations of parents, inviting all the Grands would be impossible. They sing all the songs for us at home anyway. 😊

[Gemini]

BL, you took the mature option of not fighting it out, and I admire you for that. You shouldn't have to though, DIL or DS should have sorted it out. If numbers are limited, as they often are, then taking turns seems the obvious and fair option.

[ZIZI]

We don't usually go either. Joe and Sadie's maternal grandparents live in Portugal so they get to go, I don't mind. Ben's maternal parents have only one grandchild, their son died in infancy and they went on to have dil. As there will be no more grandchildren for them again,I don't mind them getting to see the play at school. Anyway when the children are all her together they regularly put on little shows for us so we don't miss out really.

A few years ago when Ben was still by poorly and used to go to a children's hospice for respite care (mostly for mummy to be honest) the hospice did a nativity play but because of the children being so Ill they filmed it. We all piled into the nearby church and watched Ben as Joseph pick up the baby Jesus up by the neck and chucking him at Mary! Joe got upset because one of the nurses took one of the children out of their wheelchair and he thought she was hurting. Ben, who was by young at the time, explained she was enjoying herself.

BL I think I would also withdraw. Your dil sounds like a bit of a selfish person to be honest.

[Oma]

We never get to see Oliver play because of situation with DIL but both sets of grandparents get to see Josh there school do one night for parents and siblings then next night for grandparents and other relatives so we lucky , this will be Joshua last one as it's Comp next year for him ☺

[Nanto2girls]

We used to love going to watch the grandchildren in school plays, especially Nativity plays. One year Rosie was chosen to play Mary, we must have been the proudest grandparents in the audience. Fortunately, they used to perform the plays for 3 days, to give everyone a chance to see it, didn't have a ticket system, but that might have changed now.
They don't do any plays at the school where Rosie goes now.
Bizzy Lizzy, you handled the ticket affair with diplomacy.

[Shemadee]

I tend to go with the other grandma as my oh is often working and her oh is antisocial. So unfair when in laws make no effort to be fair minded. Surely they will be happier as a couple if everyone does their best to get along? So sad and pointless.

[Daisy]

BIL - there are many things DIL or SILs can be unfair about, but that is blatant - so well done on not getting drawn into arguments about the tickets. I have no idea what happens at GD1's school - I think it's parents only, which in a way saves problems (unless the parents can't go of course). DIL1 has always tried to be fair about sharing out tickets for the GSs' Nativity plays.

Oh dear, and this is the Season of Peace and Goodwill to All Men, Women and Grandparents! I wish I could send some of it to BL's thoughtless DIL.

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Thanks everyone. I am now happily resigned to not seeing the play and, to be honest, I enjoyed the nativity play they both did in the first year as it was really sweet. Next year will be different again and GS1 is off to a new school. DH gets a bit agitated about this kind of thing because we are so often missed out of things when her parents are asked to participate but I have learned not to get too anxious about it as it does not good and cannot be changed. I think about the words of the Serenity Prayer - Accept the things you cannot change. Keeps the blood pressure down too

[Qwerty]

I feel for you BL you have been very diplomatic can't have been easy for you, this one time it is ok to be the only grandma I get a fair chance of a ticket though thin on the ground plus it twins day oops!

[Daisy]

BL - well done on taking the peaceful route. It isn't always easy, but often better than the alternatives.

[Sum1Ls]

Well, I feel for you, but to be honest, having produced at least thirty Nativity plays in my long career I'm just mightily relieved that I don't have to sit through another one.

Mind you, I was persuaded into making a Wise Man costume last year, but happily it was at DiL's mum's church in the south coast so I didn't have to go to that one either.

Hope that doesn't make me a nasty granny :;

And, you won't believe this but almost every year some parents complained to the LEA that there weren't enough tickets and I wasn't running the school properly

[WeeGranny]

A yes Sum1Ls.......didn't matter what you did to accommodate those wanting to come to the play, there was always someone who wasn't happy and would go off complaining. Even when it was explained that the hall could only hold a certain number of people they still moaned!! Am quite glad I don't have to be part of that scene any more!
We haven't been to any of GS's nativity plays, only 2 tickets per family, and as he's now in Year 4 there won't be any more.

[Gemini]

I imagine the only way to ensure all who want to see it do, is to have several performances. Too much for poor kids and teachers I'm sure

[Daisy]

Well, I feel for you, but to be honest, having produced at least thirty Nativity plays in my long career I'm just mightily relieved that I don't have to sit through another one.

Mind you, I was persuaded into making a Wise Man costume last year, but happily it was at DiL's mum's church in the south coast so I didn't have to go to that one either.

Hope that doesn't make me a nasty granny :;

And, you won't believe this but almost every year some parents complained to the LEA that there weren't enough tickets and I wasn't running the school properly

Sum1Ls - I can really sympathise. Thirty Nativity plays ..... AGGGGGHHHHHH! And I bet in every single on there was a proud parent who thought their son or daughter should have had the leading role, to say nothing of the scramble for tickets! As a very inept needlewoman I always hoped my sons would be something that could be acted out in a sheet and a tea towel!!