Life Lesson - by Robin Gorman Newman

The Rolling Stones got that right in their rock classic, "You Can't Always Get What You Want."

Seth experienced this first hand recently, and it was a valuable reminder lesson for me as well and something I appreciated sharing with him.

We had tickets to see Gazillion Bubble Show for the third time in New York City....yes....we've become groupies!  And, if you haven't seen it, it's a fun family outing.  I've even gone with girlfriends who enjoyed it, so you don't have to be a mom to have a good time.

Marc drove to work in the city, so we'd have the car for the return trip home in the evening.  Seth and I were at the pool in afternoon and left early to take the Long Island Railroad to Manhattan.  When we got to the platform, there were hoards of people. Immediately I thought something is going on.  We heard an announcement that an earlier train was delayed, so we figured that was the problem. But, it was bigger than that.  Due to a heavy rain and thunder storm earlier in the day, there were electrical problems at our station.  We kept hearing announcements that trains were to arrive on time (which were clearly programmed before the problems), because ultimately they announced service was suspended.  We waited for over an hour with the hope that things would resume, but it didn't happen, and by then, it was rush hour and too late to consider any alternate mode of getting into the city.  We would not have made the show on time.

I called Marc, and my friend who was to join us, to say the show was a "wash", and we'd try to reschedule.  Seth started to cry and refused to throw in the towel.  I gave him credit for holding out for hope, but clearly the situation wasn't good.

I quickly came up with an alternate plan....to visit Game Stop....he had wanted to pick up Game Boy games using a Gift Card he received.  This proved a good distraction, but the situation prompted a talk that became a life lesson.

I explained to Seth that life has disappointments.  Things don't always work out as we plan.  It's important to be flexible, and keep the faith that if one thing doesn't come to fruition, something else will. 

I've always believed  we don't necessarily know why certain things happen, good or bad, but the universe has a plan.  It gives me comfort.  Especially when I'm in the gray.  And, isn't that life in general?  No one has a crystal ball, and while we might feel at times we'd like one, other times, going with the flow is the best and only viable course of action.

While I know we will have the opportunity to take in GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW on another date, I hope Seth will take away the postive message I iintended. It will serve him well in life, as it continues to serve me.

ROBIN'S SHOW RECOMMENDATION: Gazillion Bubble Show: The Next Generation

Be dazzled by new spellbinding lasers, spectacular lighting effects, and awesome displays of bubble artistry. .

GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW continues to captivate audiences with its mind-blowing bubble magic at New World Stages (340 W. 50 Street in NYC). A family affair, GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW: The Next Generation features Deni Yang, son of show founder Fan Yang.

I recently saw it with Seth (age 7), and he got a huge kick out of jumping out of his seat, trying to catch the bubbles. It was great to take him to a show where he didn't have to stay put, keep quiet, etc. It was an intriguing interactive experience on many levels and highly memorable.  This was the second time we saw it, and I enjoyed it even more. They added some really oustanding laser effects at the end, and it was quite a spectacle. 

I was mesmerized with the pulsating streams of colored lights, lasers, music and bubbles. I actually found it surprisingly tranquil and relaxing at points....as if I was being transported under the water...between the special effects and the wetness of the bubbles surrounding you, touching you, etc.

Kids were chosen from the audience and brought on stage, and it was fun to watch their reaction. There was a sweetness to it.  Deni did a good job interacting with them. And, it was touching to hear stories (they shows  some short videos) of his upbringing in a  closeknit "bubble" family.

I often found myself saying "wow."  I highly recommend it for both kids and adults.  Take a break from the every day, and treat yourself and your family to GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW.

Running time is 80 minutes, no intermission. I recommend, if possible, that you try to get seats in the first five or so rows, center, so it's easier for your child to potentially catch some of the big bubbles.  But, wherever you sit, you will enjoy.

Visit http://www.gazillionbubbleshow.com/ to check it out.

For a limited time $32.50 ticket price for all performances plus 50% off "Me in a Bubble" Photo.

Three ways to buy your tickets:

ONLINE: Visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code: GBWAND610
BY PHONE: Call 212-947-8844 and mention code: GBWAND610
IN PERSON: Bring a print-out of this offer to the New World Stages Box Office at 340 West 50th Street

For Birthday Parties and groups or 12 and more call 1-866-6-GAZTIX or visit the website: http://www.gazillionbubbleshow.com/.

*This offer is valid for select performances through 2/27/11 and subject to availability. Not valid on prior purchases. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions. Blackout dates and restrictions may apply. Limit of 8 tickets per order. No refunds or exchanges. Offer may be revoked at anytime.

Secret Parenting Thoughts by Robin Gorman Newman

This past weekend, Seth and I had tickets to see GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW in NYC for the second time (you can read my show review later today....we loved it!).  

We were supposed to go with another mom and her son, but the night before they cancelled (I had an instinctual feeling things might not work out with them).  He had a stomach bug.  She hoped that we'd quickly be able to find others to join us.  Marc was working (tax season), so this was to be a mommy and me outing.

My effort to reach out to other families wasn't productive.  Too short notice.  This happened when I was at the gym finishing my workout.  My trainer, who I am friendly with, overheard the phone conversations, and much to my surprise, said she'd like to go.

She is divorced, living happily with her long term boyfriend (who she left her husband for), and raised two daughters who are now both in their 20s.  One is married; the other divorced.  This friend is a few years older than me and takes a strong "been there, done that" attitude when it comes to parenting at this stage of the game.  She has said more than once, when I've shared challenges re: Seth, that she forewarned me when we made the decision to become parents that it wasn't going to be easy.  And, she in fact, thought I was kinda "nutz" to embark on motherhood at age 42.  She was glad not to be in my new parenting shoes.

She was a young mother when her kids were young, and she left a teaching career that she had barely established, so didn't much miss.  She speaks often about being a "hot young mama" who chauffered her kids around, in between gym workouts -- a top priority in her life.  (No wonder at age 50+, her body is hard as a rock.)  She has also often discussed how, in her opinion, kids suck the life out of you and even into adulthood, they can still be challenging, and not necessarily grateful for what you have done and continue to do for them. 

None of this is the most pleasant to hear, but I've gotten used to it.  I recognize it as "her story," and hope that mine and Seth's will play out differently as the years go by.

When I bring Seth to the gym (granted he's young to be in a weight-lifting facility), she is never thrilled when he whips out mats to play and moves free weights around, though ultimately I make sure he puts everything back in place.  He acts safely and respects the equipment and knows his limits, or I certainly wouldn't take him.  But, she has often said that she doesn't know how I do it?  That he's "go, go, go", asks a million questions...and gives her a headache when he bounces the large rubber stomach crunch ball too many times.

So, when the show tickets became available, and she invited herself along, I was taken aback.  She had to know that meant spending the afternoon with Seth (and of course me too).  She assured us she wanted to come.

When I saw her at the gym two days later for my Monday session, she couldn't wait to talk about the fun we had and admitted that Seth demonstrated good behavior, and she didn't expect it.  He didn't demand that I buy him a souvenir.  He didn't have any kind of meltdown.  He sat in his seat, both on the train and in the theatre, and enjoyed both experiences.  When Marc (my husband) picked us up after the show and we had all planned to eat out in the city (things changed because we couldn't get a parking spot...way too much snow), she noted how Seth just rolled with the punches.

I told her with pride that "Seth is good company."  Sure, he's 7 and has his moments like any child,  but he's a nice, smart, compassionate, social kid (if I don't say so myself.).  She then said almost giddily that anytime Marc and I need a break or have plans, we are welcome to leave Seth with her and her boyfriend (who we know and like).

Not that we're rushing to do this.  We have our reliable babysitters (who we pay).  But, it was interesting to see her newfound enthusiasm toward Seth. She saw that even at a later parenting stage, kids, while work, can bring joy. And, despite the fact that she never raised a boy and was thrilled to have had girls, boys can be amusing in a different way. 

So, just as Laura (one of the motherhoodlater.com bloggers) wrote on Tuesday about the judgement that as parents we sometimes have for others parents, this experience taught me that it's also easy to judge other kids.  If they are different than ours, whether by sex, interest, temperament.....etc.....we might sit back and secretly be grateful that we're not parenting them (if they seem difficult).  Or perhaps even the opposite is true.  Maybe they seem more agreeable or fun than our own child, and you wish yours was more like them.

The point is that we're all individuals in this world.  We march to our own drum.  And, there are countless beats we might follow.  No one has a crystal ball to predict how their kids will turn out as adults.  But, if we lay positive groundwork now, including surrounding them with people who embrace them, they'll be all the better for it.  And, we can only hope that people, like my personal trainer friend, will not reach negative conclusions prematurely about our kids.  It's ultimately a loss for everyone.

Show I Recommend -- Gazillion Bubble Show

GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW CELEBRATES ITS 3RD “UNBUBBLELIEVABLE” YEAR OFF-BROADWAY At New World Stages in NYC

GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW continues to amaze audiences with its mind blowing bubble magic at New World Stages (340 W. 50 Street in NYC). A family affair, GAZILLION BUBBLE SHOW features Guinness World Record Holders Fan, Ana or Jano Yang.

The show is the first and only interactive stage production of its kind, complete with outstanding light effects, lasers, rousing music and jaw-dropping masterpieces of bubble artistry. The grand finale floods the theatre with an incredible laser display and wave after wave of light-catching bubbles. It is "awesome"....to quote my son.

I recently saw it with Seth (age 6), and he got a huge kick out of jumping out of his seat, trying to catch the bubbles. It was great to take him to a show where he didn't have to stay put, keep quiet, etc. It was an intriguing interactive experience on many levels and quite memorable.

I, myself, was mesmerized with the pulsating streams of colored lights, music and bubbles. I actually found it surprisingly tranquil and relaxing at points....as if I was being transported under the water...between the special effects and the wetness of the bubbles surrounding you, touching you, etc.

I enjoyed it much more than I ever anticipated, and highly recommend it. It's a real treat and feast for the eyes and senses.

And, it was amusing. Kids were selected from the audience and brought on stage, and it was fun to watch their reaction. It felt like one big party. I often found myself saying "wow."

Tickets may be purchased thru Telecharge at 212.239.6200 or at www.telecharge.com.
Running time is 80 minutes, no intermission.

Visit www.gazillionbubbleshow.com to check it out.