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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:
Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 23:15

Cinnamontoast - they have that. Rugbytots ;)

I posted to see if my MIL was being unreasonable or if anyone had any idea about why she would have felt that way - which they did.

OP posts:
CelebratedMonkey · 09/03/2011 23:16

I don't think there's anything wrong with doing activities if you have the inclination/money. Even if it's for you rather than for the baby, I think it's important for a lot of mums to get out the house so whatever works for you. Personally I like the odd day when I do nothing but sit around with my son, let him nap on me, and go on solitary walks to the park - but I also enjoy the days when we go to rhyme time or stay and play and so on. I'm sure your daughter would be just as happy at home, but if you like it, you like it!

Saying all that, not sure I'd do baby ballet if you already do movement/music type groups. It just sounds a bit hardcore for a young baby.

scottishmummy · 09/03/2011 23:17

you've got a pretty packed schedule.why?does seem full on

baby ballet sounds lie those middle class poncetastic classes touted as must do,enriching,oh and developmentally essential.when really it is a way to prise open your purse and allude to bigger things

dont think darcey bussell did ballet at 6mo

backwardpossom · 09/03/2011 23:18

Wow, this has really turned into a car crash of a thread!

Not really sure why the OP posted here as she clearly thinks she's not BU. Why bother asking if you wont take others' opinions on board?

FWIW I think it's your business alone what you spend your money on, and if you want to spend it on ridiculous classes for your baby, go ahead. You're not hurting anyone.

scottishmummy · 09/03/2011 23:20

indeed yes,your money to spend as you wish.as a parent be well aware there are endless must do activities that someone will try sell you.and tbh the bulk of them are over hyped well described froth

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 23:21

Maelstrom -I didn't make fun of a disability. I disputed that she had one.

Scottishmummy - its not that full on... Rhymetime, swimming - 30 minutes, the others 45. It's lovely to wake up knowing ive got plans and I'll see her smile!

OP posts:
charliebrownsmum · 09/03/2011 23:21

I think you should go if you and your DD will enjoy it.
I have 3 DC's and did lots of different things with DS1 but when the other 2 came along it got more difficult to juggle everything so they ended up doing very little but tbh it hasn't made any difference to them!
Enjoy this precious time and ignore the knockers....... you'd swear you were doing something damaging to your DD the way some people have reacted on here!!
You sound like a lovely mummy:)

FunnysInTheGarden · 09/03/2011 23:22

Deadly serious Millie Smile And can she stand up?

Timeforanap · 09/03/2011 23:23

Scottishmummy, my experience of baby ballet is not "poncetastic" Grin (must tell DH that one, he'd love it), it's adorable! So enjoyable for DD and, when I used to go too, for me. Sadly, they don't do Mummy and 9yo ballet classes Wink.

It is the club DD has been going to for the longest, apart from swimming which we only do for safety.

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 23:24

Funnysinthegarden - no! She's 5 months, she's only just rolled over :)

Charliebrown - thanks! :) that's really sweet!

OP posts:
MilkNoSugarPlease · 09/03/2011 23:25

Ok, I'm not getting it....so WHAT if you think baby ballet classes are poncetastic?

Or the OP spends alot of money on various classes?

Is it YOUR money? No!

And yes baby ballet sounds poncey...but so do most other baby classes where the name doesn't reflect exactly what they do there!

It's the OP's baby, if she wants to do 5 classes a week, 9 classes, 432 classes, it has no baring on YOUR life so why all the hate?!

And people aren't just saying "OP, YABU" ,they're taking it to a personal level.

PoppetUK · 09/03/2011 23:27

I've got some great pics of DS in Santa at Xmas and Toy Story 3. He loved all the giggling he got from his older siblings so please don't knock dress ups for babies Grin

I think reading the thread a lot of people are saying it's too much for this age. It might be worth a thought. It's our jobs to balance things for our family. I can tell you what I did and why but I know it's not right for everyone.

i.e I spent time cooking from scratch and this included learning really how to cook (wanted them to grow up to eat and appreciate nice food without junk in it), made sure they got as much good sleep as possible (so they stood every chance of feeling good), clean clothes, smiled at them, tried to foster independence. I was very conscious with number 1 and very precious. Now with number 3 I bumble through having far less time to actually think about my choices. That's the way it is. Number 3 doesn't seem much different to the other two because he's had less activities. He actually likes to be at home for the whole day sometimes because school runs suck for him. Each to their own.

scottishmummy · 09/03/2011 23:29

4 classes a week plus add ballet?that is v structured,but hey Your money just it does seem kinda full on

but absolutely up to you how to occupy yourself and your time with baby. certainly can see why it got a response from mil

i did minimal classes.just walked a lot, faffed about.didnt like the whole baby syllabus ethos thang that was around my area

FunnysInTheGarden · 09/03/2011 23:29

then Millie Baby Ballet is a total waste of time and money. How on earth does she join in?

Tryharder · 09/03/2011 23:31
Grin

I wanted to post a comment about how the owners of franchises like these are laughing all the way to the bank but someone (Squeakytoy?) beat me to it some pages back...

I have taken both my boys to RhythmTime as preschoolers but didn't do the baby class as it's all a bit pointless IMHO. We were once handed a leaflet about Rhythmtime classes for pregnant mums where music was played to your bump. I am not joking!

However, my DD (7 months old)- whose social life currently consists of being carted around in a sling on various school/nursery runs with the odd trip to Morrisons thrown in - would look very lovely in a tutu, little hairband, white tights and little pink shoes.....Smile

PoppetUK · 09/03/2011 23:33

p.s MillieMoosMummy - I think she'd smile at you if you played with her in the house or had her in a pushchair that faced you. x

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 23:33

Funnysinthegarden - I don't know - I haven't been yet but I'm guessing she will sit/lay on a mat/my lap... We'll probably do a bit if 'dancey' stretching in the style of baby massage, have some classical music, do some sensory with ballet related objects and coo over babies in cute outfits.

I'm guessing.

OP posts:
DandyLioness · 09/03/2011 23:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpeedyGonzalez · 09/03/2011 23:35

Millie, I've read a few of your posts but not the whole thread. I'm wondering whether you find it harder than some to connect with your baby - by this I mean to sit with her for shy length of time and just enjoy cuddles, gazing at each other and observing all the wonderful minute details of her 'ness'. I can't imagine why anyone would feel it necessary to take their very young baby to so many groups unless this was the case.

Babies just need cuddles and love, and one-on-one care, not lots of stimulation. Sounds like you could be missing out on lots of the stuff that other parents enjoy in their babies, without realising it. Smile

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 09/03/2011 23:36

Tryharder - I would have done that class!

kidding!

Poppetuk -she does. But she laughs and giggles a lot more at classes. I really think she loves them.

OP posts:
FunnysInTheGarden · 09/03/2011 23:37

then that is fine, and if it suits you go for it. You must agree though that baby ballet does sound a tad poncetastic Grin

StayFrosty · 09/03/2011 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scottishmummy · 09/03/2011 23:38

can see this going down the waggle a fork at her,thats all our muthas ever did for us.eeeh who needs fancy stuff when you can show nipper a lump o coal

but imo such classes do over state and over embellish benefits

now wheres me fork....

SpeedyGonzalez · 09/03/2011 23:38

Pants! I meant "any" length of time, not "shy"!

SpeedyGonzalez · 09/03/2011 23:41

you mean this, scotmum?