::Momma Disclosure:: My family and I were invited to attend Freaky Friday in exchange for this review, but all opinions and statements are true and my own.
::Reasons why I take my children to the theater::
When we thought it was the right time we took the kids to see live theater because my Husband and I believe in age appropriate activities. The first year I was worried, but then we went again last year and I realized how much they loved it. When we were invited to see Freaky Friday live on stage, this year, I accepted for the following reasons. And, I was very happy with our choice to go!
1) Ignites Creativity- My kids LOVE the arts, they are young but love movies, acting, dancing, exploring what they can create. Yes, we are the kind of parents who tell their kids they can do anything. Because well, honestly I feel you can. They may not have all the resources currently but we support them and if they are truly passionate about something we will stand behind them. And, live theater, truly inspires you and awakens the creativity within!
2) Finding your passion- As stated my kids are at that age where they are truly seeking, and exploring the world and all it's possibilities. We want to expose our children to an atmosphere that will allow them to seek and find their true passion. Until now Camila and Santiago have done dance, baseball, soccer and they are constantly writing and drawing. I want their tiny brains to absorb as much as they can and develop in any area possible. Next, I think we need to find some quiet instruments for them to try. Is that possible?
3) Self-expression- We constantly encourage full expression, verbal, written, dance, acting, or anything the kids need to do to help them express themselves. I know we sound super carefree and free-flowing, we are and we aren't. I'm super strict because of how I grew up and my Husband is the opposite. So we tend to provide a good balance for my kids, you know the neurotic mom who yells every 2 seconds versus the laid-back dad who lets the kids reach their ultimate limits. But, we both agree that allowing the kids to express themselves and have a voice in our house and family is important. The arts tend to bring out that unique very deep down type of self-expression.
And, my husband and I love seeing what our kids come up with, I'm sure every parent is the same. Amused by the speck on the paper and we call it a Picasso and enroll our kids in the top art programs in your city. NO? Just me?
:: Reasons why I loved Freaky Friday::
I have never seen the Disney movie, but I loved the play. The story is about a teenager still grieving her father's death and maybe not knowing exactly how to grieve or cope with her feelings So, she's, of course, rebellious and sad. Her Momma is a "composed well put-together person", or so she seems, who is also seeking to move on and in the process has forgotten how hard life was as a teen. It's such a great play with GREAT points of conversation for every family; loss of a parent, losing yourself as a parent, wanting to be part of the in-crowd as a teen, trying to find your path or place within your family as a child. My kids really took a lot away from it.
Camila said that she learned that you should never break things that will change your life.
Santiago said he learned that you don't have to be like anyone else. Just be yourself. And, that the Momma and daughter duo had exchanged or switched souls.
The three main points that I felt came from the play were:
- Self-love- at one point both the momma and daughter realize how much they should embrace who they are and where they in life. It touches on body-image for the younger crowd and even as a parent. Self-love is so important. Not being SO wrapped up in the day to day and looking at the small things in life that make you who you are and happy.
- Parenting- This is so complicated. Kids don't come with a how-to book, and it's hard. You will mess up and that's OK. But, when you least expect it, you realize you are doing your best and that's all that matters! No one has it down perfect and we don't have to be.
- Mother/Child relationship- It's important to remember that you were once a child and that life can be hard for kids nowadays. Filled with daily school pressures and stresses. We weren't born knowing everything. And, we should be patient with our kids, easier said than done for sure, when adulthood can be so hard itself!
