<p>It is tough…I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 21 years! I have not had time for hobbies, not quite sure I’m the hobby type lol. I can remember years ago a “friend” telling me when my last child leaves I will surely regret staying home and not working because I will not have anything of value to do with myself. Well despite facing the challenges of rediscovering the old me and reinventing a new me, I will never regret devoting myself to my children. For me it has been a gift and what I feel I was meant to do. In fact, it is the most valuable thing I will ever do and I am very grateful for every minute I have had with my sons. I think it’s important to take it one day at a time and not put pressure on yourself to figure out what your second act will be too quickly. Like MTMajorCook said, keep a sense of humor and keep it all in perspective.</p>
<p>I am gonna let my wonderful loved talented ship sail. But boy am I gonna cry. :(( </p>
<p>@austinmt - you are so right. Wise words to remember as the tears well up. It’s time to let our budding stars blossom!</p>
<p>Tcork128, thank you for your timely reflections. It really is starting to sink in how different life will be in a few months. I told my son I would adopt a little dog and dress it up to distract myself. I was kidding, but I don’t think my son is so sure about that!</p>
<p>Lol @entertainersmom that was a good one. Hey whatever it takes. @Tcork128 just great words tonight. You have made me feel better about things. I have been blessed to that I was able to stay home the first few years after we adopted the kids and then have only worked part time since. I too treasure all the memories over those years. I do have to say looking back I really cannot believe how fast time has gone. I am so excited to see what is ahead for all our kids. We have all got them through to this point now its time for them to live their dreams!!!</p>
<p>I thought I would lighten the mood a little with this video. Seems like a good crowd for this one…
<a href=“■■■■ Stage Moms Say - YouTube”>■■■■ Stage Moms Say - YouTube;
<p>Congrats to all of you and your amazing kids!!</p>
<p>evilqueen, you are the best…I will check in on you next year for sure!</p>
<p>You will all be fine! There is so much joy in seeing your kids grow and flourish! And there will be many wonderful performances to see in the future. One bonus in a college program over a “bake-sale-to-raise-money” public high school program is having all the microphones/sound equipment work properly! And no more silent auctions to plan! I don’t miss those.</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone! Your kids are so fortunate and blessed to have such wonderful parents! </p>
<p>No more ticket crew!!! No more costume shopping at Goodwill. No more ordering cookies and lemonade. AAAAAhhhhhhhhh. Austinmt, you just made my day! </p>
<p>I can’t tell you how many times I have grumbled about all these things- but I think one of the things I will REALLY miss next year is feeling part of the process. I have had some hand in every show my D has been a part of, sometimes big (Did costumes/hair/makeup design), sometimes tiny (handled out programs as people came in). Hey, if nothing else I drove her to approximately 2 million rehearsals! But I have always felt involved- and I am a little teary at the thought to that going away…</p>
<p>You will all be a little lonely next year, but it is true that the extra time gets filled up quickly. (I’m working a lot more personally – which is good considering the cost of conservatory training.) You can always come back here and watch and help as another class goes through the process. </p>
<p>My D’s director has told me I can stay! I take pictures of each show, and then make a display board for the lobby. I also do press releases and publicity. And I make a dinner during tech week.
I bet if you all want to hang around and do things your Director’s will let you too! haha
I might actually still do the pictures if no other parent wants to. I liked it…and of course it netted me lots of great pictures of my D!</p>
<p>I know my kid’s theatre group certainly would accept any help alumni parents would volunteer! It is also easier when your kids aren’t involved. No skin in the game. </p>
<p>One of S’s friend asked me to come back for her senior musical. I’ve been the parent that puts it all together and I decorate the lobby, put motivational signs in the musical hallway. I’m there every day during tech week. So I have at least one more year at the school. I’ve been thinking of volunteering at the community theatre nearby, I have a special love for “theatre people” I like to be around the. I’m amazed by talented people. My BFF for the last 30 years is an incredible artist and singer. I’ve always been drawn to that “type” but I never dreamed I’d give birth to one LOL </p>
<p>LOL – After 6 years of giving my all for the shows, I’m going to have more time to get my billable hours back up so I can pay for college!</p>
<p>The thing I miss the most is getting to see all her shows. I’m envious of those whose kids are a couple hours away but that’s not the case for most MT kids. Out of the half dozen of shows she did this year I was only able to make 2. I still go to see the other kids around home so that helps. But after my D left for college last year I backed out of all the volunteer theatre commitments. I was more the ticket person and other parents stepped up so it was nice to let someone else get in the group. I needed the time away from that to decide where I wanted to spend any extra time and energy I had.</p>
<p>Inspired59 - S</p>
<p>Applied: 19 - Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Ithaca, Otterbein University, Point Park, Texas State, University of Michigan, Elon University, Florida State University, Rider University, Webster University, Penn State, Pace University, University of Central Florida (Safety School), Emerson College, Hartt School of Music, Boston Conservatory, New York University, University of Miami</p>
<p>Prescreens: 8 - Ithaca, Otterbein, Texas State, University of Michigan, Florida State University, Penn State, University of Central Florida, Pace University - Passed all prescreens</p>
<p>Auditioned on Campus: Elon University, Pace University, Florida State University and Texas State</p>
<p>Auditioned in Miami (Regional) – New York University, Boston Conservatory</p>
<p>Auditioned in Chicago: Carnegie Mellon, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Otterbein University, Point Park, University of Michigan, Emerson College, Hartt School of Music, University of Miami</p>
<p>Auditioned in New York - Ithaca, Rider University, Webster University, Penn State</p>
<p>Academically Accepted: To all 19 schools</p>
<p>Waitlisted – 2 – Carnegie Mellon University and Texas State</p>
<p>Cancelled Audition: University of Central Florida </p>
<p>Accepted Artistically: Ithaca, Otterbein University, Point Park, Rider University, Penn State, Pace University, Emerson College, Hartt School of Music, Boston Conservatory, New York University (studio on Broadway: Musical Theater), University of Miami</p>
<p>Waitlisted – Carnegie Mellon University (Eventually accepted) and Texas State (eventually rejected)</p>
<p>Cancelled Audition: University of Central Florida – Still Accepted off of Prescreen (never auditioned)</p>
<p>May 1st Acceptance – Penn State</p>
<p>FINAL DECISION: Carnegie Mellon University (regretfully rescinded acceptance to Penn State)</p>
<p>Final Artistic acceptances – 13 Schools</p>
<p>My S auditioned for 19 schools because we were told (and I agree) that the students are so talented and that each school only accepted approximately 8-20 new freshman, so be prepared for a lot of rejections. So we went into this process with those thoughts in mind.</p>
<p>My S, I would consider somewhat talented, both acting and vocally, but only started dancing in the last 2 years (thankfully he has a natural rhythm). He was surprised as he auditioned that he was receiving favorable responses, but felt that the auditors were being kind and gracious. Matter of fact I think that most of the prospective students would agree to this… as scary and intimidating as auditioning is, the schools and auditors made them feel safe and comfortable.</p>
<p>My S has not had formal training per se, but has performed in local children’s theater since the age of 7 and School Theater from middle school all through high school and typically had most leading male roles.</p>
<p>He never attended any summer intensive programs (although he wished he could of), just not affordable for him to attend.</p>
<p>College Prep – College Audition Coach (Mary Anna Dennard (Moo)) … who graciously gave him a scholarship</p>
<p>School Grades – Above Average – weighted GPA – 4.31, SAT Score – 2100. I do believe this helped him with scholarships.</p>
<p>He loved the audition process, meeting all the kids and of course getting to travel (Priceless time spent together). </p>
<p>Worst part – Waiting for the offers (Calls, mail and emails) … </p>
<p>If there is any advice I could give someone navigating through this process it would be… is patience and be there for child when the rejections come in … its hard hearing a NO, although they do seem to recover quickly (guess they need to for this business)</p>
<p>Hardest Part - My S having to call Penn State to notify them he would not be attending (he absolutely loved the school and the faculty and current students)… matter of fact even after he rescinded his acceptance they kept the door open for him next year should he change his mind… GREAT school!!!</p>
<p>Best part - was the email he received taking him off the waitlist for Carnegie Mellon (his dream school for the last 4 years)… by the way he still has never been to the school (lol)… </p>
<p>We feel extremely blessed and he feels very fortunate to be given the offers and opportunities that were given to him and thankful our family and friend who have always believed in him and supported him through this journey.</p>
<p>Last advice…. Stay positive, be humble and know whatever school you choose, they are blessed to have you as a student :)</p>
<p>Terrific story Inspired59. Congratulations to you and your S, and for surviving this LONG process.</p>
<p>Congrats! What a great story!!</p>