THE STAGE — There are many rites of passage as kids grow up, and not all of those belong to the children.

Parents also get to experience events that induct them into new life phases. One of these rites includes attending all the dance recitals, school programs and music recitals.

Now, I know many parents feel thrilled and delighted as they watch their little cherubs perform, especially if it’s the first of such things. But for at least as many parents, the charm of these events does not exist or the charm starts to wear thin after the umpteenth time.

The problem may not be the inevitable clumsiness of motor skills development. The problem may be, as it turns out, the costumes.

This video from the Hong Kong ballet is exhibit A. It shows a dress rehearsal for eight tiny dancers. What makes this rehearsal exciting is the costumes.

Each dancer is bedecked in plump pink costumes to become the most adorable flamingos you’ve ever seen. They prance and flap and stand on one leg in what promises to be a show-stealing performance.

The moral of the story is that if you want to start enjoying your child’s dance recitals, maybe it’s time to argue against sweet tutus and daisy costumes. Maybe it’s time to make the costumes a bigger piece of the performance pie.