Last week my younger two were part of their school Christmas Concert.  They had been practicing for weeks, perfecting their small parts with their classes, anticipating the applause and cheers and camera flashes.  Liam, especially, was practically vibrating with excitement because he was accompanying his class through an entire song on the djembe!

After getting both Noa and Liam to their classes where they prepared for their big entrance to the gymnasium stage, Zander and I found a seat in the loud and very crowded auditorium.  Everyone seemed happy to be there - camera's at the ready for when their own little ones took the stage.

But as the night went on, a strange phenomenon swept through the school.  As each class took to the stage, more and more seats were vacated, until by the end, the auditorium was more than half empty.  That poor last act - they received half the acclamation the first itty-bittys had.

Every single child that took their place on that stage worked just as hard as your child did and they deserve your praise just as your child deserves my praise.

We are a community, are we not?  Should we not celebrate one another and not just bask in our own little family bubble?

I understand that there are perfectly good reasons that you might leave early and I want to honor that and bless you in that decision but for the others - those with no excuse save for 'well my kid is done and it's already passed bedtime' - I have a challenge for you.  Stay!  Is another twenty minutes really going to negatively effect the rest of your week?

Every one of those children worked hard to present something for you.  They put on nice clothes and brushed their hair.  They learned their parts.  They did their best.

And they saw your empty seat.

The greatest gift you can give any child is your time and attention.  Think about this next time you're tempted to duck out after your child has had their moment in the spotlight.