A NOTE TO DANCE MOMS AND DANCE DADS

With the competition season coming to an end with National Finals and with a new competition season beginning, I thought I would take a moment to blog directly to dance parents. Being a dance mom and a dance dad is time consuming and can be costly. When you mix those two things with your care and concern for your child, it can bring on a tremendous amount of stress. As a parent, I get it. Every parent wants their child to be healthy, happy, and successful. As parents, it is important to remember that dance teachers love your children and also want them to be healthy, happy, and successful. It is worthy to note that dance competitions want all the children to be healthy, happy, and successful too!


REMEMBER IS IT ABOUT THE CHILDREN


Dance competition should be a fun experience for dancers. It should be a place for children of all ages to show off their hard work and enjoy their moment in the spotlight. Often times, I see what should be a fun experience turn into a stressful event because of anxious parents going into overdrive. One way to eliminate the stress is to be informed. Make sure talk with the studio owner or dance teacher to confirm that you have all the correct information well in advance of the event. Another way to eliminate worry is to double and triple check that you have everything on your dancer’s checklist packed well in advance of your departure time. Last, but not least, arrive earlier than the scheduled time set by your dance teacher or studio owner. Once you do these to things, you are good to go!!! From there, you can sit back and let your studio owner and/or dance teacher take the reigns!


IMPORTANT! ALWAYS REMAIN CALM.

Dancers feed off the vibes, words, and tones of their parents. Keeping this in mind, having a warm smile and remaining calm allows the children (of any age) to enjoy the privilege and opportunity you have provided, instead of making them feel guilty, stressed, or worried. Yes, there will be quick changes. Yes, you may have a child that messed up onstage whom you will need to comfort. Yes, the competition may be ahead or behind schedule. Please remember that as a parent, all eyes are on you. The dancers need their parents' encouragement and support. Parents set the tone and mood for a competition not only with the dancers, but with the teachers and even the competition staff.


REMINDER: THINGS RUN SMOOTHLY AND TENSION STAYS DOWN WITH THE ONE CHIEF RULE.


Contrary to what many may believe, studio owners make very little money off competition students. Competition takes up the majority of a studio owner/dance teacher's time with the least amount of pay. Studio owners and dance teachers provide extra performances and competitions because they love your children and want them to have the benefits of the experience. Let them take the reigns and guide the troops.

I encourage all parents to take a deep breath and look at the big picture especially during the stressful and tough times. Your child obviously loves dance or they wouldn't want to compete. You trust your studio owner and dance teachers or you wouldn’t pay them. Everything is good! Try your best to enjoy the experience with your child, taking great pride in them. You will see the stress and pressure drift away from your dancer allowing them, and you, to create wonderful lasting memories.


Dance hard. Dance smart.
Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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