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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 · 10/03/2011 00:33

Sleepywombat - she has scheduled naps... All activities are at 10.30 / 11 or 11.30... She naps at about 12.30 and again for a bit at 4.30.

(doesn't get up till 9... Lazy moo ;))

OP posts:
Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 00:34

And at gymboree everyone wears name stickers... Lol

OP posts:
lovenamechange100 · 10/03/2011 00:40

Its seems too much, dont know how you fit all that stuff in for yourself, I am a SAHM of DS5 and I find it hard to fit stuff in

You do sound a bot floaty - hope it all doesnt come crashing down I really dont.

But then you know your child and how much yo think she can cope with. I did some of these classes with DS and I think that some of them are a waste of time. Baby splash was good and baby massage, the others you can do at home. Get to Costa for a coffee, and round supermarket.

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 00:43

Lovenamechange - I don't need costa - I'm in Starbucks loads :)

I'm not 'floaty' (what does that even mean??)

So.... My MIL wasn't being unreasonable then? Haha...

OP posts:
lovenamechange100 · 10/03/2011 00:45

Good for you, I think yo answered your question before you posted.

lovenamechange100 · 10/03/2011 00:46

I wish I had such a perfect seemingly life as you do...Hmm

worraliberty · 10/03/2011 00:47

It doesn't really matter if she's right does it? She thinks your baby does enough already and you don't.

That's the long and the short of it. She's YOUR child, not your MILs so just get on with it.

SpeedyGonzalez · 10/03/2011 00:50

OP, apols if you've already answered this, but I'm assuming this is your first child? What was your life like before baby?

Firawla · 10/03/2011 00:53

I think some of the replies are a bit much, if OP wants to take dd to baby ballet what is the harm in it? I don't see the big deal personally. There's a lot of benefit in keeping busy and doing things, if this is one of the things she wish to do then why not?

Sometimes on mn if you ever wish to do anything with your child or spend money on anything people judge, as if to be the best parent you should just let your dc run wild at home ignored all day and only ever buy the cheapest thing on offer & bare essentials, as some kind of reverse snobbery type attitude

I mean I see the point that how is a 6 months gonna do any kind of ballet really, but im sure they would enjoy a bit of music, seeing people wave a few scarves or streamer or whatever else around, and OP enjoys these kind of activities so its positive for all concerned really. Just cos everyone doesn't fancy it doesn't mean there is something wrong with it.

Also I think the little babies in tutu will look quite cute personally Grin

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 00:53

In terms of 'fitting it all in' i just dont see the problem.

On a Monday we will go to gymbabes. Right now we do nothing. A whole day of nothing!
On a Tuesday we go to our local library rhyme time. It's half an hour long. We have the entire rest of the day to laze around / shop / see people!
On a Wednesday we go to music class... It's 45 minutes. Again, lots of free time!
On a Thursday we do gymboree - it's 45 minutes. Often we gobto lunch with the other parents afterwards.
On a Friday we do nothing - baby ballet maybe!!
On a Saturday DH and I both take her swimming (30 mins!) then out for the day.
On a Sunday we do nothing.

So really, what's the problem? What everyone is moaning about is about 3 hours worth of stuff in a whole week.

Seriously.

OP posts:
Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 00:56

Speedygonzales - my life was the same... Except I've replaced work with baby for now. Worked in TV in London, lots of shift work.

Why?

OP posts:
Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 00:57

Lovenamechange100 - what have I done now!?

OP posts:
sleepywombat · 10/03/2011 00:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lovenamechange100 · 10/03/2011 00:58

All the other stuff you do for yourself I meant, and look after your baby.

Writing a book, TV, reading, lunch with friends. I assume you dont do housework/cook/iron share maybe?

This is why it seems alot

lovenamechange100 · 10/03/2011 01:00

Just to be clear I am not ufssed a bout the concept of baby ballet (havnt looked ) I just think it seems a lot to do for mum aswell.

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 01:03

Lovenamechange100 - I am the biggest neat freak ever. I clean every morning, make bottles, lay out clothes while DD is still asleep. Get up about 8/ 8.30. If I don't then I pop her in the study for some cuddles with DH while I do some house stuff.

I do send the ironing out though. That is all... But it's my most hated of anything in the world!

And my 'book' has been being written for three years! Lol

OP posts:
worraliberty · 10/03/2011 01:03

OP do you always take other people's opinions/comments to heart or is it just your MIL's?

What if she'd said the baby didn't need another dress or she didn't like the colour of her pram?

Really I can't see how you even gave her comment a second thought, let alone felt the need to start a thread about it.

You're still a relatively new Mum but eventually you'll get the confidence to just do what you and your Husband think is best for your daughter. You might not think it now, but you will one day.

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 01:04

And yes, DH and I share chores... He usually does washing / rubbish.

OP posts:
sleepywombat · 10/03/2011 01:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 01:05

Worral - she's just never said anything like that to me before - about how to raise my DD.

OP posts:
lovenamechange100 · 10/03/2011 01:06

I give up I just operate on a slower speed than you OP

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 01:08

Blush sorry. You asked. Im sort of feeling the need to defend myself.

OP posts:
worraliberty · 10/03/2011 01:09

Yes but do you let anyone else get to you that much over a flippant comment? I mean are you usually a bit of a wallflower or are you generally more confident than to let such an off the cuff comment get to you?

Joolyjoolyjoo · 10/03/2011 01:10

If you enjoy it and your baby enjoys it, I can't see the harm.

I sometimes feel a bit guilty about all the "stuff" I did with dd1, then the bit less "stuff" I did with dd2....then the absolute lack of "stuff" ds has enjoyed! Doesn't seem to have made a difference in terms of their development, but in the early just-one-baby-all-my-friends-still-working the stuff I did with dd1 was a lifeline for me!

Go for it- just don't be racked with guilt if you can't do the same for subsequent offspring Smile

Original poster
MillieMoosMummy · 10/03/2011 01:11

I'm pretty confident I suppose - but it's my first (apart from on here!) real criticism.

My friends or DH have never said anything. My parents just say how lovely DD is and that 'I must be doing something right'

She is the only one.

OP posts: