Sequins, Singing, and Slight Panic: Surviving Parenting When Your Kid Jumps In Headfirst!

As I approach 40, I’d like to think I have a decent grasp on parenting, until my tween reminds me otherwise. Just when I start to feel like I’ve figured things out (or at least come close), life throws me a new challenge.This time, it came in the form of a school talent show.

Last year, Emma performed a gymnastics routine at the talent show; a natural choice given that she’d been training since she was four. I had no doubt she’d do well, and sure enough, she nailed it. Before embracing this new chapter, Emma said goodbye to gymnastics. Learn more about her decision here. But this year, she announced over dinner that she and her friends had formed a singing group.

Singing?

Emma loves music, but aside from our occasional family karaoke nights, she’s had no formal vocal training. My initial reaction was pride in her confidence, quickly followed by concern. Would she be able to hit the right notes? Would she get stage fright? Would people judge her for trying something so new?

And then, I had to take a deep breath and remind myself: this was a school talent show, not American Idol or X Factor. No Simon Cowell. No golden buzzers. No life-changing record deals on the line.

Just a group of kids having fun.

This wasn’t about perfection, it was about courage, growth, and the sheer joy of trying something new. And as I soon learned, this experience would teach both of us some important lessons.

The Moment She Told Me

It started over dinner, like so many unexpected parenting moments do. Emma casually dropped the news between bites of pasta: “So, I’m doing the talent show with my friends. We’re singing.”

I nearly choked on my water.

“Wait… singing? I thought you were going to dance?”

“Nope, we changed it. We’ve been practicing at recess. We even have harmonies.”

She said it so confidently, like this was the most natural transition in the world, from floor routines to vocal runs.

I wanted to match her enthusiasm, but internally, my brain was short-circuiting. Emma had never taken voice lessons. At home, we belted out country songs in the kitchen, but that was the extent of her vocal training. I suddenly had visions of off-key notes, forgotten lyrics, and, worst of all, potential embarrassment. But she was so excited. She talked about the song they picked, how they were working on “hand motions”, and how much fun she was having. This was not the moment to be a dream crusher. Instead, I swallowed my worries and said, “That sounds amazing! I can’t wait to hear it.”

My Worries as a Parent

Even though I wanted to be excited for Emma, I struggled. She was confident, but should she be? Now frankly, I wasn’t actually worried about stage fright too much, just a tiny bit. Gymnastics had already trained her to perform in front of crowds.

My real concern? What if she wasn’t good? Would she notice if the audience didn’t react the way she expected? Would she get her feelings hurt? And, if I’m being brutally honest…would I feel embarrassed? Would other parents whisper: “Why didn’t she stop her?” But then, I caught myself. This wasn’t about me. I didn’t want to project my own insecurities onto Emma. The truth was, she had no fear—only excitement. I wasn’t going to be the one to take that away from her.

Balancing Support and Preparation

I confided in my husband, who reassured me: “This is good for her. She’s exploring something new. Just trust her.”

Then a friend—whose daughter was also in the group—gave me the best advice: “This is a school talent show, not Broadway. Let her have fun.”

I needed that reminder. So, instead of cautioning her about how tough singing can be, I encouraged her to practice. The group worked one night with a vocal coach to record their audition video, and I made sure she had time to rehearse at home. I reminded her that effort and enjoyment mattered more than perfection.

The night they filmed their audition, the vocal coach pulled me aside: “Emma’s got a natural spark,” he said.

I nearly melted with relief.

On our way home from filming the audition video, Emma was buzzing. “I really hope we make it,” she told me. That was the moment I realized this wasn’t just something fun for her, she really wanted this. And my doubts started to fade.

The Talent Show Day: A Rollercoaster of Emotions

On the morning of the show, Emma was practically bouncing with excitement. I asked how she was feeling.

“Nervous, happy, and excited,” she said.

“Nervous because I have to sing in front of the whole school. Happy because the day is finally here and it feels I’ve been waiting forever (side note: about 3 weeks from when she decided to participate). Excited because it’s going to be so cool.”

That mindset amazed me. She wasn’t fixated on being perfect. She was focused on the thrill of it all.

She and her friends wore matching sparkly sequin dresses (Emma picked hers out from Amazon – so cute), and at her request, I straightened her hair. She looked stunning; not just because of the outfit, but because of the confidence radiating from her.

The Sequin Party Dress Emma Wore

Then came the gut punch: Parents weren’t allowed at the show due to a change this year. I don’t know the reason. Some say it’s because parents were too loud last year, others say it’s due to the limited parking during construction. Regardless….

I was crushed. I had imagined sitting in the audience, heart pounding, watching her step onto the stage. But I wouldn’t get to see it live. Instead, I had to wait for the video. I received the video the same day, luckily, and watched it; my heart nearly burst. They were adorable.

Was it perfect? No. Did they sound like pop stars? Also no. But they owned it. Emma swayed, smiled, and sang her heart out. She was confident and happy, and that’s what mattered. I felt a rush of emotions: relief, pride, joy. I had worried for nothing. She didn’t need to be perfect. She just needed to try. And I needed to let her.

What I Learned (AKA, Parenting Lessons I Didn’t Know I Needed)

1. Not everything needs to be a “talent.”

Kids should be allowed to do things just because they want to, not because they’re the best at it.

2. Fear of embarrassment is a me problem.

Emma wasn’t worried about messing up, I was. That was my baggage, not hers.

3. Support doesn’t mean control.

I didn’t need to coach, correct, or tweak her performance. My job was simply to cheer her on.

4. Fun matters more than perfection.

If she had focused on being perfect, she wouldn’t have enjoyed the experience as much.

5. Letting go of expectations feels so good.

Once I stopped overthinking, I actually got to enjoy watching her grow and take risks on her own.

What Emma Learned (Because Yes, She Had Her Own Takeaways)

1. Trying new things is exciting.

Even though singing was unfamiliar, it ended up being a blast.

2. Nerves are normal, but they don’t have to stop you.

She was nervous but didn’t let that hold her back.

3. Doing things with friends makes everything more fun.

The experience was less scary because she had her besties by her side.

4. You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy something.

She didn’t need vocal lessons to feel like a star.

5. Confidence comes from doing, not from being perfect.

She didn’t wait until she was “ready.” She jumped in and figured it out as she went.

Ina Figures It Out (Again)

I started this whole experience worried about Emma’s performance, but by the end, I realized the real challenge was mine—learning to step back, trust her, and stop micromanaging. This wasn’t X Factor. It was a school talent show, and it turns out Emma didn’t need a vocal coach. I did. A coach to remind me that parenting isn’t about eliminating risks; it’s about standing on the sidelines and cheering for your kid, even when they hit the occasional off-key note.

This talent show experience has been a true eye-opener, both for Emma and for me. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, from gymnastics to singing, showed me how much she’s growing and learning. It wasn’t just about the performance—it was about the journey. I’m so proud of how she embraced the challenge with excitement and confidence, even without formal vocal training. And though I wasn’t there in the audience, the video allowed me to share in that moment, feeling a deeper connection to her bravery. This journey has strengthened the bond between us, as I realize more than ever how important it is to support her in all her endeavors, no matter how new or unexpected they may be.

And maybe, just maybe, I finally figured it out.