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Original poster

To not take DD (3) to ballet

62 replies

Littleblueboatsail · 06/12/2023 14:19

I have a 3 yo and a 1 yo and just returned to work after mat leave. I work full time over 4 days. Whilst on mat leave I took DD to a ballet session which she didn't really enjoy at the time and was the youngest by a fair way so we decided not to go again. But she does remember going and 6 months later has started talking about wanting to do ballet.
The problem is purely time. There is a session I could get her to but it's at 3pm on my one day off a week. My sister is currently on mat leave and lives an hour away, we like to see her and her baby as much as we can. I also have friends with similar aged children that we like to arrange meet ups with plus just the odd day where it's me and the kids to do library/ soft play/ woodland walks etc. committing to ballet every week means all of these things are not impossible but suddenly just a lot more awkward and restricted so my thought is to just wait until DD starts school next September when we will be committed to being bound by school hours anyway and hopefully at that point find an after school ballet class for her.
But am I being selfish and unreasonable in not allowing her to go now when she has a natural interest developing and I absolutely could go, I just don't want to be restricted with our one day off together in the week.
There is a weekend one in the middle of the day on a Saturday but honestly our weekends are always jammed with family and friend commitments as it is that again, that just isn't going to work for us.

OP posts:
crumblingschools · 07/12/2023 10:20

What other family commitments do you have at the weekend? Juggling life round children’s activities/hobbies is part of family life

AngelAurora · 07/12/2023 10:16

Stop being selfish and let her go.

NerrSnerr · 07/12/2023 10:14

I think you should prioritise one hour a week to do something your daughter wants to do. I'd give it another go and see if she enjoys it.

Quartz2208 · 07/12/2023 10:13

I would wait as well until she is a little older - is there a dance class that suits that isn’t ballet, ballet is quite rigid and strict and is easier when you are older

Bramshott · 07/12/2023 10:13

Your DD is very young, and it's absolutely fine to say not yet and she needs to wait a while.

That said, with every year that passes your DD will develop more of her own interests, and it would be good for her if you can facilitate those. As she grows up you'll need to strike a balance between things you do for you/your family and things you do for her and her friends and social life.

TizerorFizz · 07/12/2023 10:09

My DD started ballet at 4. Obviously it’s fun and helps with balance etc. 3 is a bit young. As you will need to buy the clothes, I’d wait until she’s more mature.

thedementedelf · 07/12/2023 10:06

Why can't you find an hour a week to do ballet? It sounds like there's lots of free time to fit a 1 hour lesson in.

StarlightLime · 07/12/2023 10:00

There is a weekend one in the middle of the day on a Saturday but honestly our weekends are always jammed with family and friend commitments as it is that again, that just isn't going to work for us
You can't carve out a single hour in the whole week to do something your dd would choose to do?

SootspriteSearcher · 07/12/2023 09:57

I would wait until she's at school. Maybe buy her some ballet shoes and tutu for Christmas. There's a few books about ballet and I'm sure youtube videos or dvds. You could do ballet together at home?

EvelynBeatrice · 07/12/2023 09:54

I'd definitely prioritise family time - you won't get that time back. She's still very little. Plenty of time for hobbies. Use the freedom before school for things you can do together. Why not play ballet with her every week and both dance around the house to music? Put on Angelina ballerina on tv etc. 😃

Alohapotato · 06/12/2023 15:33

I would go to the session during the week at 3pm , it's good to support children's interests

Caroparo52 · 06/12/2023 14:34

Sounds reasonable to wait until school starts.