what to do?

[Ands]

Just realised when oliver auditions are for bristol and they clash with ds school residential. Being in sw we don't have a lot of chances like this. This would be his first big audition and he had been looking foward to it. Am i wrong to even consider missing the trip or part of it.

My ds is 8 and done loads of local stuff but nothing professional.

seeing head teacher tomorrow to see if we would have his support. Ds a bright boy in most areas but hates not being busy!

Any advice would be appreciated. X

[jasmine2]

think you should go for it..I am sure his head teacher would be supportive

[riverdancefan]

I would go for the audition as long as thats what he wants to do..
School trips away are always on offer throughout school years, they can wait ....tours of Oliver are not
He may or may not be successful but I would try at least..

good luck

[Ands]

Thanks, this is what my gut feeling is too.

He so wants to join an agency later in the year after an amateur production of Whistle Down the Wind that he's in finishes and we thought that Oliver would be a good introduction to the 'bigger picture'. If we do enter into this world I jut need to find some extra hours in the day!

He may only be 8 (9 in October) but he is SO driven it scares me at times!

Thanks again. x

[ruby95]

I am only 17 and not a parent so I have ummed and arred about whether or not it was appropriate for me to express an opinion on this, so I am sorry if this is bad advice or if you feel it is out of place. I can't understand what it is like to be a parent and to have to make an executive decision on something as potentially life-altering as this but I can possibly give an insight into the child's perspective.

When I had just turned 9 (maybe I was still 8 ) me and my parents faced a similar dilemma over whether or not I should audition for Les Mis in the West End or go on summer camp. I had been wanting to go on this particular summer camp for years as a lot of my friends went on it and talked about it all the time and I thought it sounded fantastic. I had just about persuaded my parents to let me apply for camp when the Les Mis audition came up. My drama teacher told me to definitely go for the audition instead of camp and she almost changed my mind but in the end I chose camp. Even though it was a tough decision and I was very young my parents tried to get me to make it myself to minimize the chance of me regretting it later.
Recently, as I have read on this site about how amazing it must be to be a kid in a professional show, I have pondered on whether or not I made the right decision. If I had got the part it would have been a truly incredible experience as I did, and still do, love acting more than anything so I will always wonder 'what if' but if I hadn't got the part (which I think is probably the more likely outcome in my case) I would have missed out on camp for nothing and missed out on some of the amazing experiences and close friendships that this camp has given me over the last 8 years. So I can never be sure whether I made the right choice but at least I know it was my choice.

I guess what I am trying to say is maybe ask your son what he thinks (if you haven't already done so). He is probably too young to make the decision all by himself but he may express a clear opinion in one direction or another that makes this decision much easier for you.
Good luck whatever you decide.

[Flosmom]

Where is the camp? If its feasible, can you pick him up from camp, take him to the audition and drop him back to camp afterwards? It may be no further than - say - the round trip to an audition in London.

I'm a big fan of having my cake and eating it, if I possibly can

Deb x

[bruno2]

Its a tuff decision but I tend to agree with ruby95, your ds will be so out of place when all the kids are chatting about their experiences they had on their school trip for weeks later. There will be other auditions and opportunities but its a hard decision and you unfortunately have to make it ! Good luck

[sapphire]

Great advice from Ruby ... trips like this are important bonding experiences for the children. However, I do like Debs approach and if it was at all possible wouldn't hesitate to take him out for the day for the audition Let us know what you decide to do!

[Tatty t]

i would go with flos mum aswell and try to do both my dd was at final stage for som auditions and we was waiting for the last date and i was going on holiday to spain so was debating flying back with her for audition then going back , lucky enough final was on the friday before we flew out on the tuesday so it all fitted well - and so she was a von trapp child in spain who was not allowed to get a tan lol
iv always asked dd what she wants to do - but the one thing i would say is that as a performing child they do miss out on lots of events at school and friends parties etc - but a small price to pay my dd always says. she has not had a holiday since she joined som in 2007 as she has been lucky to work every since - but she would not ever look back - loads of luck for your ds if he decides to go for oliver - it is a great show to be part of

[Ands]

Thanks for all the great advice. Ruby95 your thoughts were great as an insight and deep down we all know that ds is the type of child that would always wonder 'what if'..... He has already said this!

Just spoken to our headteacher and he said to 'go for it', the school would be supportive. If he doesn't get through he could still join the group and only miss a night, if he got further he could still join the group for one night and a day. This seems best option all round.

Being a parent is hard work and I guess life is just about trying to get the balance right!

Oh well off to face the day ahead! He's got two rehearsals tonight that I have to work around

[Viks2030]

Glad you got there in the end ! Its nice to know that there are parents out there willing to listen to their children .
Have the cake eat it and ENJOY !!!!
Let us know how the audition goes

[sophiesocks]

good luck - you must let us know how it goes

[nextinline]

Best of luck to your ds. It is a hard choice to know what to do, you can only take each opportunity at a time and weigh it up but I always remember that my kids only have one childhood and if they are that committed to this business there will eventually be other opportunities. The more you do the more you are prepared to turn things down. Having said that my kids have usually had ways of getting round things. My dd had to do an audition over the phone immediately after coming back from a school trip once (the TV company had waited a couple of days for her to get back - the school told her on the quiet so she was prepared but it didn't interfere with her trip). She went on to get through and film (the message being that sometimes if they want you enough they will wait). Childhood on the otherhand doesn't wait - you only get one. My ds also had to learn something very quickly as he heard after getting off the bus from his week long residential that he had got a solo in a professional show. You sound like you have found a way around it and hope you get good news. Good luck

[riverdancefan]

Great result !
If he is happy and you are happy and the school is happy it MUST be right !!
There are a few things my DS had missed out on, but it's always been his choice and I work hard to make sure he keeps up with his friends and social occasions too, but even giving him the choice.... He chooses auditions and performing every time !