To make my daughter do ballet

Part of the deal of letting kids try hobbies is that they need to be allowed to say "actually, this is not fun, I want to try something else".

You wish you were good at tap dancing now? Why didn't you just start doing it again as an adult? Why not learn it now. When you are actually choosing to do it and will put in the work.
It's a waste of time forcing kids to do hobbies especially something like ballet which is very disciplined. It's taking a place from a kid who actually wants to do it.

Let her try something else, there’s so many activities for children, if this isn’t her passion, you need to give her the chance to find the thing that is.

That’s definitely what it’s like in pre primary. Much less so once they start working through the grades. My daughter also did her pre primary exam at 5. But then if it’s a RAD syllabus it will get much more focussed and she’ll likely enjoy it even less.

I think you were being tongue in cheek about the ‘prima ballerina’ comment but just in case - people can’t reach that level unless they’re desperate for it. My daughter always was and now, at 12, we are learning that it still isn’t enough. The people who become prima ballerinas are noticeably gifted and focussed and it is an entire lifestyle from quite a young age. It’s a handful in an entire year group so I wouldn’t worry about missing that opportunity. Not sure if I’m explaining it right but ballet in particular is a very specific thing requiring very specific training from childhood. That’s not to say she can’t explore other dance styles and might be a professional dancer one day - but professional ballet is in its own category.

I think you should let them find what they love to do, mine are a bit older but have tried various things, my daughter has settled with a gardening club and my son has been doing crochet for 3 terms! Hobbies are supposed to be fun, kids have so many years ahead of them of doing stuff that they don't want to do and that isn't fun I don't want to add to that.

Remove the tech or use it as reward. Otherwise you’ll end up with an antisocial ‘gamer’ who has no interest in anything other than what ever shitty game is the flavour of the month. Yes my view is extreme but I’ve seen good kids fall into this hole.

Let it go. As far as kids activities go - ballet classes for 5 years old are either not hugely ballet based (more fun and focused on moving and controlling their bodies), or are quite boring and too structured. Loads of other activities she could try if you want to focus on balance and posture etc. You said she already does gymnastics...

Young children hardly ever are self motivated to practice an instrument or hobby seriously. You have to be the parent at that age and decide for them.
That doesn't mean pushing them to practice 3 hours a day or enroll them in 7 distinct hobbies but it absolutely means not letting them give up easily.

Children cannot take their grade one ballet exam aged 5, no matter what the OP said. A child that age has neither body or brain mature enough to learn the syllabus content anyway, which is why the examining bodies don't allow it.

I wouldn't go so far as to accuse the OP of making it up...

Tell her you've paid until the end of July - it doesn't have to be true.
Then if she still wants to quit then, she can.

Yes. Definitely make your 5 year old do an entirely voluntary hobby she dislikes because it’s good for her balance. Excellent decision.

The OP doesn't appear to have returned to the thread. I'm not surprised, considering how many people have pointed out some - er - inaccuracies. 😂

Bit of a 'Wind 'em up and watch 'em go' thread if you ask me.

It’s the other way round. Ballet exams are for recreational hobby dancers and are a thing only in the UK. Professional dancers don’t do them.

But in what way is stopping going to a ballet class 'letting people down'? It's not a team sport or a drama ensemble. The others in the class will be unaffected by which kids turn up for the lesson and which don't.

She’s telling you she doesn’t want to go. That’s all there is to know.

In terms of the hobbies you gave up as a child, did you pursue any of these later in life, once you did have self discipline and your own agency? Or was it that your younger instinct to leave it was right as it just wasn’t the hobby for you? I ask because I had one friend who was never taken to dance classes. She was desperate to do ballet and started taking herself to classes as a teen, paid for by a paper round. If people are determined to pursue things, they can often find a way. Those who are forced into it are unlikely to ever have that drive.

She's 5. Just stop.

My DD took up ballet again last year aged 15, having done it until age 5. She doesn't want to be a ballerina but enjoys the class. There's no reason to spend all this money if she's not enjoying it.

Please don't make her go.

This is really rude. My daughter ‘loves’ ballet and loves exams. I’m not a dancer and have never pushed her. Exams are a wonderful
opportunity to work towards a goal and excel in something outside of school (which she finds challenging)

is all competition ‘stupid’? Should there be no winners in football? No swimming races? No sports day? Every child deserves a chance to shine.

OP my DD really hated ballet, I did it for years. I decided to try her at all sorts instead to see what she loved.

If you have a tennis club nearby they often do really fun junior tennis “camps” during half term or Saturday coaching. It’s a great opportunity for them to meet kids from other schools, run off steam, have some fun and learn a new skill/sport.

I was surprised my DD really took to it and it was great for her balance. She’s 16 now and still plays.