Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to take 6month DD to Baby Ballet?

551 replies

MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 20:13

My DD is actually 5 months but baby ballet starts at 6 months (anyone have any experience of this??)

My MIL basically told me I shouldn't, in front of all of DH's family. She thinks DD 'Does enough already!'

I felt like she was implying that DD isn't having a good time, or that I'm not thinking of her, but I swear she likes her actvities.

At swimming lessons she smiles and splashes, at Gymboree she actually laughs and giggles.

We also do Catapillar music and go to rhyme time at the library.

In four weeks we are starting 'Gymbabes' at Tumbletots.

I tried P & T groups but found them really cliquey.

I'm quite upset about MIL saying this and really enjoy DD's activities.

AIBU? Is she right?

OP posts:
Mayqueene · 09/03/2011 21:29

OP Do exactly what you enjoy with YOUR baby and ignore all the silly people who are calling you a "saddo" or "pfb" or whatever Hmm

What the silly people say does not matter at all.If you like taking her to baby ballet then go. As far as I'm aware there is no rule book that says it's somehow socially superior to invite mum friends round for coffee, than to just go to loads of groups-do whats best for you and your baby and above all enjoy!!

I have 4 DC aged 18, 15, 11 and 6 and when they were tiny I went to loads of groups-some free, some pricier, as well as several toddler groups and having friends round for coffee.

The only rule is that you and your baby enjoy what you're doing...and if she becomes the new female Billy Elliot then that's great too Grin

HeartSkipsABeat · 09/03/2011 21:29

Hey, if you can afford it, why the hell not?!

Serious point though. You said about the informal groups being cliquey. Are you feeling isolated or lonely? Is it easier for you to 'hide' behind the structure of a formal class as you don't have to worry about striking up conversations with other mums?

Apologies if I'm totally wrong there but I'd suggest trying again to cope with less guided situations. I mean that nicely BTW :)

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 21:29

And also, I don't go to any of these classes by myself. It's me, my sil and another friend and all our children.

OP posts:
Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 21:32

Heartskipsabeat - I went to them alone and others seemed to be with friends. I also didn't think there was a great deal for DD to do at them, whereas activities you pay for are totally structured around babies her age.

OP posts:
MilkNoSugarPlease · 09/03/2011 21:32

Oh and YANBU for going to so many classes, when I'm at work (am a nanny) myself and charge go to about 4 a week (was 6 at one point!!!) because I (and she) hate being stuck in all day!

strawberrycake · 09/03/2011 21:33

And here's me with a 9 m/o who is emotionally attached to the hoover and entertains himself on a daily basis stroking it or playing peek-a-boo around the cupboard door with it. At least he doesn't know what he could be doing...

activate · 09/03/2011 21:33

didn't mean to sound insulting

you just sound lonely and a bit desperate to fill your time

glad to hear my perception is totally wrong

neverforgethowmuchiloveyou · 09/03/2011 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 09/03/2011 21:36

These people running classes like "baby ballet" for 6mth old babies, must be laughing all the way to the bank!!

StayFrosty · 09/03/2011 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

strawberrycake · 09/03/2011 21:39

Anybody want to sign up to my 'hoover' dance class for babies? £8 ph, £6 if booked in a block.

notnowbernard · 09/03/2011 21:39

I was thinking it must cost a bomb. These classes always do

StayFrosty · 09/03/2011 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

strawberrycake · 09/03/2011 21:40

On a serious note, do whatever makes you happy-she isn't bothered tbh but it won't hurt her so why not.

sungirltan · 09/03/2011 21:42

mayqueene - i agree

activate - sorry but i found your post a bit mean too. 'lonely and desperate to fill your time' is also mean. if the op had said she was lonely mner would pile in and suggest shes goes to classes.

having a small baby is lonely at times. going from being at work/study/whatever anyone did before having a baby is hard because most of us lose a structured life for a chaotic, unstructured one. imo it is v, v normal to look for structured activities again post baby.

HeartSkipsABeat · 09/03/2011 21:43

That's not really answering my question though MMM - your DD will be happy anywhere, she's got you as a mummy and you obviously care very much about her :)

These classes at this age are really for the mums, and that's just fine. Like activate, I get the impression that you are needing the classes as it's easier to cope with them rather than less structured situations.

Which is fine in itself I guess, but I think it's something you should consider. If you feel shy or are struggling to do the mummy small talk thing, it could lead to isolation and put you at risk of depression. I mean it nicely, I've been there!

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 21:43

Notnowbernard - they're not all expensive.

Music class is £45 for 10 weeks, so no more than softplay.

Gymboree and gymbabes about 35 a month (4/5 weeks costs the same.)

Rhymetime is free at the library.

Swimming is 112 for a term which is 3 months.

Not sure about baby ballet.

OP posts:
ZZZenAgain · 09/03/2011 21:45

I just can't imagine what a 6 month old baby is doing at baby ballet. It seems a waste of money. It isn't my money though. If you are not execting your baby to get anything much out of it and you are willing to pay to do it, I suppose it is your business. Tbh I really cannot understand why you want to do it. When she is able to stand and move around to the music in some way, some kind of dance class - creative dance or something maybe at 4 or even possibly 3 I could imagine.

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 21:45

Heartskipsabeat - I'm really not lonely.. I go to these classes (except swimming which I go to with DH) with two friends and thier babies.

I really, really think she enjoys it. I do too obviously!! :)

OP posts:
notnowbernard · 09/03/2011 21:48

I guess if the money isn't an issue and you both enjoy it...

I prefer the cheap as chips stuff. Library, park, parent and baby group

And I do a wicked rendition of Wind the Bobbin Up. Makes my 7m old chuckle anyway Grin

sungirltan · 09/03/2011 21:52

this thread is getting v judgey. my dd got the most out of jo jingles when she was little. she though it was just wonderful and i'm sure it contributed to her total obsession with music now :-) but i digress - go to classes, don't go to classes its horses for courses but it doesn't mean anything does it? wanting to go to classes doesn't make you depressed. not going to classes doesn't make you superior.

think i will go back to sobbinh over this 23 week birth doc :-(

Underachieving · 09/03/2011 21:59

At 5 months she probably can't sit up unaided, stand up, crawl, walk or move in time to music. Nor should she be pushed to, her bones and muscles aren't ready for it. She might be able to roll over, they learn that at about 5 months. She can probably grab things, she might even put them in her mouth. She will stare at other babies but not really know what they are as she wont actually start realising that other people are separate objects and not just things in her mind for months yet. That's why peepo is good, because when she can't see you you don't even exist to her.

And you want to know if ballet is unreasonable?

Brace yourself for the mother of all teenage rebellions. I predict if you go on like this she wont even finish grammar school. (Of course she'll be at grammar school, I can't see you letting her not).

ZZZenAgain · 09/03/2011 22:05

I had a google for baby ballet 6 months and this is the first on that came up on the list :

"BABIES (6 - 12 months) & WALKERS (12-18 months)

Babies & Walkers classes are a musical playtime with singing, mime, toys and socialising for parent/carer and baby to enjoy together.

The introduction of movements, activities, props and musical instruments allow the little children to increase bodily awareness and self-control in a relaxed and caring environment. The classes also offer an excellent social aspect for parents and carers so you are sure to meet new friends at these welcoming sessions."

Just to get an idea what on earth it is about

Scaredycat3000 · 09/03/2011 22:06

OP you did post in AIBU, of course these are the responses you would get. You've given me a good laugh Grin. Enjoy your pfb however you like, I do!

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 22:12

Zzzenagain - I think it actually sounds quite good! Lol

And scardeycat - I haven't had a problem with any type of response apart from the one implying I was sad and lonely. I know I posted in AIBU ;)

Underachieving - why a teenage rebellion?? Because I liked to see my baby giggle when she was 6 months old?? Jesus!

OP posts: