How to handle the mermaid persona

[coral_sybil]

Simply put I may not seem fun to have around kids when I'm just trying to be professional, in fact I seem to always come off stern. I've been reminded a few times to just relax. But I simply have a hard time with that. I want things completely taken cared of. To the point that sometimes I worry that I won't be any fun for the kids and I'll be too uptight.

But then I get in the spot light and I get the first giggle. After that it is all about the kids wanting my attention for this or that, or almost a stand up routine depending on the reactions.

Mind you this isn't with mermaid personas, most is Halloween themed get togethers. Or just straight up watching the kids during a party.

When I think about mermaiding, I mostly am getting into it for my own fitness and confidence, but then I think of my family and friends and the kids they're starting to have and the questions about it coming up every so often. Makes me nervous that I won't be able to set my own anxieties aside or be able to be the mermaid they're expecting.

[AniaR]

Maybe working with kids isn't your shtick as a mermaid. It isn't for a lot of mers. Nothing wrong with that

[Mermaid Harmony]

I agree, every mermaid is different, doing birthday parties and entertaining kids from 5-30 of them at a time takes a lot of patience and energy. If that doesn't sound fun to you, don't do it, there is no shame in that. there are many ways to be a working mermaid, and if you don't want to do this as a job that's cool too and be a mermaid as a hobby, maybe just know of a mermaid that does birthday parties because you will be asked a lot and this way you can maybe set up a good balance relationship between you and another mer helping each other. Find what makes you unique and run with it. :-)

[Chrissy]

Working with children is tough and exhausting. And it may not be your thing. I am surprised that I enjoy it so much, I am not a kid person at all. But once I get in to that tail and I get wheeled out to the pool area and I see all those little faces smiling and waving it all makes sense why I do this. Whatever drama is unfolding around me I don't notice b/c my focus is on the birthday kid and their friends/family.
I was told this past weekend there was a bit of a fight going on between the birthday family and other parents at the pool b/c kids were everywhere and the birthday family was trying to get them away b/c I was there for them. I had no idea any of that was going on. I was just trying to answer everyone's questions and smile and laugh with the kids and especially the birthday girl!!!