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Grandparenting

What's the matter with me

(96 Posts)
Samiejb Wed 19-Dec-18 12:19:12

Hi everyone - just come home from a first school Christmas service - one grandson in year 1 and the younger one sitting with me. Please tell me why once they start singing I start crying and can't stop throughout the whole thing. It's not watching the little ones dressed up, it's the singing that gets me going. I feel and must look right stupid. I know I'm a bit emotional but this is ridiculous - even to the stage that I wonder if I should go at all.

Teetime Wed 19-Dec-18 12:21:36

I'm with you- watching my grandson do almost anything makes me cry.

grannyactivist Wed 19-Dec-18 12:32:57

I do sympathise:

I have a grandson whose daddy died soon after he was born and he's now nearly nine and has inherited his mother's talent for acting and her beautiful singing voice. He usually gets a major part in the school play and has a solo spot when the choir performs. I always cry (alongside his happily re-married mother) when I watch him perform, because I feel so sad to think of what his dad has missed.

This year he sang a solo of Silent Night, I wasn't able to attend the concert so my daughter sent me a video - and I actually sobbed my through it.

MissAdventure Wed 19-Dec-18 12:33:15

I'm the same, and children generally leave me underwhelmed, ordinarily.
I think its their innocence that gets me going, and it doesn't have to be my grandchild I'm watching, even.
I find it incredibly embarrassing to sit there blubbing.

TwiceAsNice Wed 19-Dec-18 12:39:48

I cried through my granddaughters concert too. It's normal as far as I'm concerned. So sorry for you grannyactivist it must be especially poignant for you

Squiffy Wed 19-Dec-18 12:49:18

Where I previously lived, if I walked past the local junior school and heard the children singing - anything, not necessarily carols - I'd well up until I could hardly see where I was going. I've no idea why it affected me so much.

ga flowers

dragonfly46 Wed 19-Dec-18 12:53:47

Music has that effect on me also particularly if it is sung by children.

Daddima Wed 19-Dec-18 13:39:42

I remember my middle son’s first concert with the Strathclyde Symphony Orchestra, when he played percussion. He was by far the youngest in the orchestra, most of the others being 17/18. Him battering timpani while 400 wee souls sang ‘ Emanuel’ had me sobbing! No subtle tears for me.
I find it easier with the grandchildren, possibly because the singing is much poorer. No luxury of a music teacher, just singing along to a tape, which definitely doesn’t produce the same enthusiasm.

Lynne59 Wed 19-Dec-18 13:43:54

I used to cry when I watched my sons in their school concerts, and I've cried when I've watched my grandchildren in theirs. Now, I'm a Manager of a day centre for the elderly, and this Friday we've got 60 (60!!) little kids coming to sing for us all, so I'll be blubbing again....

lemongrove Wed 19-Dec-18 13:55:06

I think it’s something that happens as we age ( becoming sentimental) or even more sentimental! Music generally affects people though, especially really beautiful pieces.

DoraMarr Wed 19-Dec-18 14:10:38

I was an Infants teacher for 40+ years, and I never once got through “Away in a Manger” without fighting back the tears, never mind that some of the little buggers had run me ragged throughout the term!

ginny Wed 19-Dec-18 15:21:04

Nothing th matter with you. Seems a lot of us feel the same, including me !

Gonegirl Wed 19-Dec-18 15:25:34

I cried a bit when I watched my children's school plays. But with the grandsons I find I am beaming all over my face. I think it's adoration. tchhmm

tinaf1 Wed 19-Dec-18 15:34:55

Nothing wrong with you Samiejb I have watched my two granddaughters in their Christmas dancing shows since they started age about 4 they're teenagers now and I can still well up ?

oldbatty Wed 19-Dec-18 15:36:34

There is something incredibly raw and unfiltered about small children singing their hearts out.

BBbevan Wed 19-Dec-18 15:41:39

When I was teaching we finished every Nativity by singing "Now light one thousand Christmas lights " The lights were dimmed and the choir came in dressed in long white robes and carrying a candle ( later changed to plastic tea lights) Elf and safety. There was not a dry eye in the hall.Even the staff who had rehearsed and rehearsed the children were moved. So it is normal Samijb and very lovely

JackyB Wed 19-Dec-18 16:12:19

Just reading this has set me off. Pass the Kleenex.

ninathenana Wed 19-Dec-18 16:18:54

Doesn't have to be my GC when I worked in a school I would well up at the singing anytime of year.

ninathenana Wed 19-Dec-18 16:20:56

Pass me one too JackyB

Luckygirl Wed 19-Dec-18 16:21:37

Just back from DGD's nativity play - she was Mary. I just kept swallowing - did not want to embarrass my DD!

rockgran Wed 19-Dec-18 16:46:42

DoraMarr - same here. Away in a Manger was guaranteed to bring out the hankies.

Chewbacca Wed 19-Dec-18 18:17:56

I've just been to GD's nativity play this morning and there wasn't a dry eye in the house! When I looked at all the little children on stage, I could "see" the same children from DS's school days 35 years ago. I put my tears down to the onset of macular degeneration!

shysal Wed 19-Dec-18 18:48:54

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpsXNlarAk8
If you haven't seen this before you will be crying with laughter. It never fails to amuse me.

Iam64 Wed 19-Dec-18 19:49:17

The opening bars of Away in a Manger leave me weeping. Ditto Silent Night and many many other Christmas carols. Christmas is a time for weeping, it just is - we could just go with it (take tissues and no mascara)

Chewbacca Wed 19-Dec-18 19:57:03

Shysal that had me crying with laughter! There's one in every school, isn't there?