1. Establish the no temper tantrums at the ballet rule.
2. Review the no temper tantrums at the ballet rule.
3. Tell the story.
4. Again.
5. Again.
6. Insist on the potty.
7. Check the seat assignments before handing over the tickets, so the number the child gets, otherwise known as "their seat," fits where you want them to be sitting. 'Cause they ain't moving.
8. Establish the no talking during the performance rule.
9. Toss that rule out as unenforceable and go with limited quiet questions.
10. Have a 1-1 adult to child ratio, so you can answer all those quiet questions.
11. Explain about the overture even though you may be getting a mite impatient yourself.
12. Point out Clara.
13. Point out her brother.
14. Point out the Christmas tree starting to grow.
15. Have a back pack full of snacks for intermission.
16. Point out Mother Goose. Quietly explain that you didn't mean a real goose.
17. Prepare for metaphysical questions: how can Clara be a kid and then grown up and then a kid again? How can both young and old Clara be bowing on stage at the same time?
18. After the last bow, lure the children from glittering tutus and magic spins to the boring car.

We followed most of these rules and had a lovely time.