10 Lessons Why You Should Watch The Bluebird of Happiness

If you're a mom looking for creative ways of teaching your children some very important life lessons, here's a tip --take them to a musical. Specifically, Trumpets' comeback blockbuster, The Bluebird of Happiness. This talent-filled musical unlocks the secret to joy at a time when even young ones can't appreciate what's right in front of them. Well, that kinda sounds like the here and now, doesn't it?

1. STOP FIGHTING!
Your household has sibling rivalry? This show has it, too. Lots! Sibs Mytil and Tyltyl bickered, bullied, and pushed each other half the time. Let's see how your kids feel when they see what THAT actually looks like from the sidelines.
NUMBER TO NOTE: Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, these 2 kids sang is incredible. But the most powerful for us is 'I Hate You And I Couldn't Hate You More'. Goosebumps, I tell ya.

2. STRANGER DANGER.
I'm sure some moms would like their kids to believe that the world is a wonderfully safe place (and maybe that unicorns and fairies exist, too). But eventually, you will have to tell them that there IS bad out there and that they should be careful or they will get hurt. The maliciously conniving tagteam of Tylette and Night seals the deal on this one with a tango.

3. CALL YOUR GRANDMA.
I love how the play suggested that when grandparents have passed, and are forgotten by their grandchildren --they sleep. But when they are remembered, they wake up and relive the happiness of life's past all over again. That's a brilliant wake-upper for kids. Memories and loved ones are irreplaceable.
Side note: Isn't that set design just uber adorbs?!!!  Seriously!

4. OK, THAT'S ENOUGH!
So do we really need to buy 100 maps of Minecarft? Uh, no. This garish and outlandish part of the show tells your kids that getting more doesn't make them really happy. It only makes them wanting more and more, and leaving them feeling emptier and emptier. Lovely message that I believe my boys will carry --for a few days at least. Oh well.
The set here is plain cool, by the way. Over the top, over the win!

5. YOU'RE WHINING AGAIN!
Hah! Bullseye! Kids nowadays complain as often as they breathe. Well, guess what --your dog is happier than you. Dog-turned-human Tylo tells us that he finds happiness in the simplest of things and therefore tends to love life more. Problems are reduced to a mere speck with this huge an optimism. Can't play out because of the rain? Whining won't change things. Just stay in and build robots out of cardboards! Kids can take the cue from their furry friends, can't they?

6. BE NICE TO EVERY LIVING THING.
Particularly trees!
Having just about anything, the Bluebird also has a little environmental twist. While your children might not be involved in any illegal logging at the moment, it tells them they shouldn't... AT ALL... EVER.
NUMBER TO NOTE: 'Revenge' --our favorite song in the bunch is sung by trees that barely moved all throughout the performance! But who cares? The song is incredible, and sung with an intensity that left us breathless. Lead Tree, your voice is phenomenal!

7. NIGHTMARES CAN BE SHUSHED.
And not just literally. Your kids can be facing a lot of fears that eat away at their self-confidence. This part of the story tells them that they can fight back. Or at least ignore the bugger. Nothing is far bigger than courage and believing in yourself.
NUMBER TO NOTE: Forceful song, coupled with raw emotion and a dynamic play of lights, 'The Door' by Night and the Nightmares is something to watch out for. Night and the Nightmares.  Hmmm... Remind me to suggest that name when my boys decide to put up a rock band.

8. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
It's never too early to teach your kids to reach for their goals --in school, in sports, in art, in every possible adventure. But they have to be guided, and they have to stay on-track. There are a lot of distractions along the way. That's where illumination comes in. Something us parents can learn a bit from, too.
NUMBER TO NOTE: 'Illumination' is a lovely ballad my husband absolutely fell for. Great duet by Berry Lune and Light.

9. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!
Ugh... I cringed just as those words left my fingers. But it's true. Peer pressure sucks the fun out of friendship. Instead of worrying about not having what their classmates have, kids should just look at everything that they actually have. Quite an eye-opener, this will leave your children pondering... 'Perhaps I should've been happy all along.'

10. CHOCOLATES MAKE EVERYTHING ALRIGHT.
Not just chocolates. A smile, a hug, a kind word, even a song. Little things can topple what feels like insurmountable walls as long as you look at the bright side of things. Happiness does have an on switch. The production makes good this fact by selling yummy Bluebird Cookies and Cream bars at the lobby. Nice touch!

So where does the bluebird fit in all this? That's what you and your brood will have to find out. Go catch The Bluebird of Happiness at the Meralco Theater, playing until October 20, 2013. You have all the reasons --and all the lessons-- not to miss it!
Bonus! IT'S A LOT MORE FUN TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE THROUGH SONG. That one came from my boys. :)


*Photo creds to the Official Production Photos of The Bluebird of Happiness on Facebook. Except for the chocolate shots. *burp*