Since October, our free time has been consumed by the Princess' Ballet Company production of The Nutcracker. It all culminated in a jam packed, 5 shows weekend right before Christmas. I walked away from the experience with some new insight on myself and what it means to be a dance mom. I also learned how extremely unprepared I was to dive into this world.
Now the Princess has been doing ballet since she was 3. This wasn't our first performance by any means. But it was the first time every little detail was scrutinized and discussed. I was blown away and thought to myself, have I somehow wound up on that insane show Dance Moms?
1. I need to step up my game in the hair category.
I can do a bun. Yes it took several years of haphazardly throwing her hair up to actually learn how to do a proper bun but I can do one. Silly me, I thought that's all I needed to know. Buns, different types of bobby pins, curls, pony tails… I was on the verge of tears after getting stern looks about her not so ringlet curls. Then a mom pulled me aside and said “Just buy a hairpiece.” It was like the heavens opened up and the angels sang. She saved me from being shunned by the costume lady.
Maybe she's born with it maybe it's a hair clip.
2. A target bag is not an acceptable container of makeup and hair stuff.
As I looked around at the ginormous beasts of makeup organizers I realized I was out gunned. I had one small makeup bag and the rest was thrown in a target bag. Shameful, I know. Organization is key, especially when you are digging to find “Cherries in the Snow” seconds before she needs to be on stage.
3. You can never have too many pins.
Safety, Bobby, you need them all. Go ahead and get different sizes, colors, and shapes too while you're at it. Not only do you lose them seriously where do these things disappear to? but someone else might need one or two or twenty. Plus costumes malfunction all the time, that tiny gold safety pin just might save you from the costume police. Trust me.
4. Be prepared for the extreme Dance Moms.
I liken these women to the dads who forget that little league is suppose to be fun and it is not the World Series. You can spot them easily from their furrowed brows to the way they walk across the room with that superior air about them. Whatever you do, try not to ask them anything. Not even where the bathroom is located. Nothing. They are not interested in helping you only in judging your non-sewing skills and how many fly-aways your kid's bun has.
5. Always be willing to help the new mom.
These amazing women counteract the evils of number 4. I was the new mom, feeling the pressure to get everything perfect. Without the guidance, support, and love from the veteran moms I would still be trying to curl her hair, sobbing as I failed miserably. Thank You Kind Moms for helping me survive our first Nutcracker. I will see you next year, hair piece and makeup holder at the ready.
In the end who cares if everything isn't “perfect?” My angel was adorable and did an amazing job, as did all the other kids. Take my advice, just do your best and enjoy this moment in time!
Have you had an encounter with an extreme sport parent?
Ashley, I completely feel you on the whole Dance experience. It was the same for me when one of my girls was in ballet. I was completely unprepared for the amount of time consumed.
I am glad you are helping the other new moms. Guess we know how overwhelming it can be.
oh, YES! I was, for a short while, a Cheer Mom. It was painful. I ended up being so so THANKFUL that my daughter stopped cheering and does other things now.
Lol. Last year I was in a total panic when I had an afternoon to get my daughter (who hates her hair being done) in a ballet bun. I actually think it was the first hair net and hair spray I purchased since high school. I did competitive cheer as a teenager, and that can be even crazier (and downright catty) but it is a learning curve for sure. Now we are ballet pros, but more importantly, my daughter adores dancing and going to class. Your daughter looks amazing! Now if you can balance all the unwritten rules of hair and dress with your daughter having a great time, then you are winning all around!
I love number 5. I am a dance mom, but I am a nice dance mom. We have danced in three different states now and not one experience has been the same. My child dances with the goal of professionally dancing. It is about to get real for us, so hopefully we have no rough run ins.
I have not yet jumped into the dance world , but with 4 girls I know its coming.
It’s amazing how much some parents fuss over everything about their kid being perfect at a dance recital, isn’t it? My little girl has recently started talking about how she wants to start dance lessons, and I’ve been kind of freaked out about it. I feel like there’s so much pressure put on the kids when I just want her to have fun! Reading this article calmed some of my worries, though; I would totally be out there with a shopping bag to hold my daughter’s makeup! Thanks for the insights, and I’m glad everything went well for your daughter! She really is adorable.
My kids have been wanting to start up dance as siblings, which is just adorable that they want to do it together! So I really needed to hear these tips, especially the one about buying a hair piece for them! I’m a big believer in bobby pins, so I’ll be sure to stock up on them as well. Thanks so much for these tips!