Last month: Our ward had a Hillbilly Hoedown complete with a "No Talent" Show... Complete with armpit noises. While Brother Vance was doing his performance Jacob declared to me that he wanted to go on the stage and "talk". Trying to discourage him (because we hadn't signed up) I said "well, what would you do up there?" He said, "Sing". So I asked him what he would sing. "Lollipop". So my mother said to go let him sing. I went and talked to the coordinator and she was fine with the last minute entry. As soon as I returned to my seat she called us up. After I received my award for best Hillbilly costume she told me that Jake was up next. I thought that I would have to gently start his song for him, to get him singing. We went right out on the stage, and I handed him the mic. He instantly belted out his "lollipop" song complete with the finger pop and "ba domp bomp bomp" at the end. Everyone loved it. I was so proud. That's where it started....
Last Week: was the Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo. I try to go every year. It's no fun for me this year because I'm pregnant and don't get to ride the rides... but since I have an excuse to scarf down all the fair food I go anyway. I offered to take my sister's kids. 3 of them accepted the invitation. Bek wanted to do the "Hypnosis" show. She didn't really get hypnotized as it is very difficult to completely relax at the fair and (according to her) her biking injuries and the cold weather caused her hands to shake, so she couldn't relax her body. Anyway... while she was on the stage, Jacob declared that he wanted to go on stage. I told him he couldn't and he had a meltdown right there. I should have known.
Yesterday: was the Primary Program at church. Jacob is in nursery, and their only part was to sing "Happy Family" at the very beginning of the program. I started practicing with Jacob a couple weeks ago so he would be prepared. All last week we discussed how he was going to go on the "stage" and sing Happy Family. He spent Friday night with Jason's Mom (Nana) and he told her that he was going to go on the stage and sing. When asked what he was going to sing he would reply "Lollipop". All week long he told everyone that he was going to sing "Lollipop". I would correct him and tell him he was going to sing the "I love Mommy" song. Well..... Because I teach in Primary I sit in the stands with the kids. Jason had Jake for Sacrament meeting and I told him when he would send Jake up for his song. (all of this preparation is because I know several children who are scared to death to go sing on the stand during Sacrament Meeting, and I didn't want Jake to be scared). The program begins and I nod to Jason, so he releases Jacob and sends him to the stand. By the time he gets up there his side of the stand is already lined with other children, so my friend Taylor asks Jake if he wants to stand on the stepstool that is there for the children to stand on to talk in the mic. Of course he accepted her generous offer. Then he slides down in front of the mic. He reaches for the mic, but can't quite reach it. GOOD, right? Well a member of our loving Bishopric sees Jacob's desire to make sure he can be heard and reaches over and lowers the mic to Jacob. and then it happened. I saw what was happening. (everything turns to slow motion here for me) I told Taylor that it wasn't a good idea to let Jake have the mi------- and I hear the "Lollipop" song start. People were swift to act and he didn't get to finish, but EVERYONE, children and the congregation, was laughing. Jason said I turned beet red, and I felt it. It was instantly 20 degrees hotter in the chapel and I looked at Jason and his reaction was "Oh Well"... The show went on, and they sang their song. Jake looked around most of the time, but managed to get half of the last verse out. It was a "proud" day for us...
So, what is a mother to do? He obviously craves the spotlight. I've mentioned it before that I know he will be the class clown in school and we will have to curb some of his desire to make everyone laugh. I want him to be comfortable on stage, talking and singing to everyone. I don't want him to have a fear of public speaking. He's almost 3. The only things I can sign him up for is gymnastics and art. They don't have acting classes for 3 year olds around here. How can I foster this talent? I want him to develop as a creative person, but if I have to wait until he is older then he may lose this desire.
I guess this is where as a mother I step up. My friend mentioned to me that her son, who was 3 at the time, asked questions about what people were doing during a Testimony meeting one Sunday. She explained it to him and he wanted to go up on the stage and do it, so he did. I guess the only way for me to be the example to Jacob right now is to start bearing my testimony more during the 1st Sunday meetings. I certainly don't want him to grab the mic and start singing "Lollipop" during Testimony time, but it is the only way I can think of to keep him comfortable in front of a crowd. (I do not share his love for the spotlight) My hope is that he will be able to share his own testimony up there on his own one day.
I need to set the example. In his baby blessing it said basically that I am to be his example and I am responsible for raising him in a Christ-like home and he will become a powerful witness of Christ. It is a huge responsibility. Who knows what the future holds for him, and if I don't do what I've been told to do, I could be responsible for huge missed opportunities for not only him, but others who are seeking Christ.
Next Sunday is Fast and Testimony Sunday. I will pray all week for the courage I need to be as brave as my son and to go share what is in my heart. I just hope the "Lollipop" song doesn't come out of my mouth during my testimony.
