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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Ballet, shall I just let her quit?

54 replies

AWimbaWay · 19/09/2013 11:41

My 7 year old daughter has been taking ballet, tap and modern dance classes for 3 years, she has always really enjoyed and looked forward to them.

In May this year she was chosen to take an extra ballet class with two others her age as the teacher felt she showed potential, she has just received distinction in her primary ballet exam, these pupils will get the opportunity to audition for the Royal Ballet Associates next year.

Before the summer she seemed to enjoy her classes and was excited at the prospect of next years audition. This morning out of the blue she has asked if she can stop the extra classes. She said she doesn't enjoy them.

I think she's tired, she does do too much, she does swimming, gymnastics and Brownies along with the dancing. She doesn't want to stop Brownies or Gymnastics, giving up swimming isn't an option as I see that as a necessity.

So, shall I just accept that she's just not that bothered about the dancing so it would be silly to push her. She would still be able to do her normal class. It just seems to be a shame to waste a natural talent, her teacher is always saying how gifted she is but I really don't want to be a pushy Mother!

OP posts:
ThoughtsPlease · 19/09/2013 13:10

As an ex Royal Ballet School pupil myself many many years ago, I think that even if she is really talented there is no need for her to do 2 ballet classes a week when she is 7 and in grade 1.

My eldest daughter is 7, she took her grade 1 and got distinction in July, she has been asked if she would like to do 2 grade 2 ballet classes a week, she doesn't want to, and I don't see it as a problem right now. She is also a member of a swim club and swims 50 lengths twice a week, and does an hour of gymnastics. I said if she wanted to do 2 ballet she should stop gymnastics, she chose not to.

Original poster
AWimbaWay · 19/09/2013 12:54

I agree Bonsoir, it's trying to persuade her to drop one of the others.

I'm paid up for the extra class until half term now anyway, so I think I'll say she has to continue until then and we'll see how she feels before they start up again.

OP posts:
Bonsoir · 19/09/2013 11:57

I think that at 7, ballet, tap, modern dance, gymnastics, swimming and Brownies is far too much!

But I wouldn't drop the ballet just yet if she is really talented.

Original poster
AWimbaWay · 19/09/2013 11:50

I suppose my thinking is to get anywhere in dance you have to be really passionate and committed don't you? So if she's not it would be silly to force it, I just worry she'll regret it in a couple of years.

OP posts: