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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let my daughter 'misbehave' in dance class?

346 replies

mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 11:53

My DD is an only child. 2.5 yrs old and is the only grandchild on both sides.

As such, everywhere we go, it's all about her as everyone dotes on her.

She isn't at nursery yet as me and DP managed to split childcare/work between us.

She has not long started dance classes (tap,ballet,disco.) And she is loving it, but is prone to getting distracted and running around the class and trying to chat to the other toddlers. She also gets bored during the quiet ballet part and does her own thing.

On one hand, I don't want to intervene, out of fear that I 'squash' her confidence. My thinking is that once she is at nursery with more structured play with other toddlers that she will come into line.

On the other hand, I hate being the only one in the class with a noticeably willful toddler.

WWYD? Leave her to it and cringe inwardly or become more involved and do some hovering?

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 01/09/2012 22:12

op 21:52 is the you'll hover if needed
and before you know it you'll be one of those mums
with one of this kids that requires hovering maw

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:16

Oh sorry, I didn't realise that that was the law.

I didn't realise that having to supervise a child at dance class could lead to such life-changing situations!

I'm going to need an entirely new wardrobe.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 01/09/2012 22:20

given you think you'll hover
yes get some wag gear for the schoolmates
and practise that rebuke,you know the one where your never wrong

CaptainVonTrapp · 01/09/2012 22:20

She's 2.5 years old ScottishMummy! May need a bit of gentle persuasion until she gets the gist of the classes. Surely thats what these classes for very young children are all about?

TuftyFinch · 01/09/2012 22:22

A 2.5 year old doing ballet would be like asking my dad to make me some curtains. Maybe just take her to the park?

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:22

Wow. What exactly is it that you're so bitter about?

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 01/09/2012 22:23

as I've said find another suitable activity
stop disrupting it for others
my kids were dreadful at dance at that age, so we didn't go back

thetrackisback · 01/09/2012 22:23

Well obviously you are some kind is devil worshipping person who over indulges her child whilst NOT instilling any discipline but being THAT type of mum! You know the type! Also your child is obviously on the route to not being able to join ANY nursery because of her unruly behaviour at two and half at Dance class!! And being loved by grandparents well that just won't do............. Is that a fair summation of this thread? Mumsnet is weird!!! Might have to go back to Digital spy!

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:24

Tufty, I'd have to see the curtains to understand if it's feasible or not Wink

She enjoys the tap, modern, disco bit. The ballet is about 8 mins of the entire class. If I need to step in and supervise her for 8 mins I'm sure we'll all get through it.

As I said though, will have a word with group leader and make sure that it's ok with her as she might prefer to deal with it herself.

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 01/09/2012 22:25

for someone who doesn't give a shiny fuck
you're mighty worked up
is it ok for you to swear and rebuke,but hey no like a response and it's wow you us bitter

MagicHouse · 01/09/2012 22:28

Finally got to the end of this thread! My DS is nearly 2.5. He'd LOVE a dance class and would no doubt behave just like your DD! Can't imagine for a second him following the instructions all lesson! He's a little sweetie. (Though obviously from this thread I have got this all wrong, and he's a horribly spoilt child who is destined to turn into someone all other parents and children dislike!!)
As for your OP, I would speak to the teacher too, and see how she'd like you to play it.

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:29

She has plenty of other activities Scottishmummy. This one happens to be very convenient and something that she enjoys on the whole. I'm not going to haul her out of it without good reason.

If she was bringing the entire class to a halt. Fine. But she's not, she's gibbering about and not participating in 8mins of the whole class.

Previous posters have had some great ideas, take her for toilet break during ballet, do the dreaded hovering, and many more. I'm sure that at least one of these will suffice.

Just because it didn't suit your toddlers at all, does not mean that I shouldn't give mine a chance.

Trackisback: HAIL SATIN. Wink

Bloody love Digital Spy [lurks emoticon]

OP posts:
sunshine401 · 01/09/2012 22:32

awww at 2.5 years old she is not going to behave is she? Bless her she will get all the "rules" soon don't force the lovely toddler age away yet :(

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:32

So, you're allowed to respond but I'm not?

And that means that I'm worked up?

I have Wine and Sherlock on.

(Not hovering over DD watching her sleep contrary to popular opinion.)

MagicHouse, go for it! What's the worst that can happen? (A pasting on MN?)

OP posts:
WerthersUnOriginal · 01/09/2012 22:32

What can the teacher do about it?Confused Other than providing 1:1 attention to keep your dd occupied and therefore detracting her from teaching the rest of the class.

It's your call if your dd is the only one acting up.

scottishmummy · 01/09/2012 22:34

you're changing descriptions,op is getting distracted...running around
you describe a noticeably willful toddler
certainly that's not a great description of engaged or non disruptive child

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:35

Werthers, I'd rather run it past the teacher first before I invade her class.
As other posters have said, some teachers have methods of dealing with things and I don't want to step on any toes.

You're right, it is my call, hence why I'm trying to do something about it. Smile

OP posts:
PooPooOnMars · 01/09/2012 22:35

Just ignore them op.

The same ones have been going on at you for pages. They're twats. Ignore.

TyrannoSoreArse · 01/09/2012 22:36

scottishmummy do you have nothing better to do with your evening than make consistently unpleasant remarks about a small child you've never met?

No?

Certainly that's not a great descrition of an engaged or non disruptive adult.

HTH.

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:37

Willful behaviour is not a description of engaged or non disruptive.

But neither is it a description of leaving a trail of devastation behind them.

Go figure!

OP posts:
sunshine401 · 01/09/2012 22:37

I wouldnt do anything about it. Sounds like great fun to me let her be young and happy :)

BlackberryIce · 01/09/2012 22:39

Lordy, i can't believe this is still going on!!

I have visions of 20 years from now that this little girl will be a. Famous ballerina! Op can then be smug. And remember 'ballet-gate' on mumsnet! Grin

thetrackisback · 01/09/2012 22:40

Wilful is good! Shows they have a bit of a personality!!

scottishmummy · 01/09/2012 22:43

op described her child as noticeably willful toddler only one in class
it's not unreasonable,based on that to suggest,maybe try talk teacher or other activity
undoubtedly op finds this thread hard, but well that's aibu for you

Original poster
mrscumberbatch · 01/09/2012 22:44

BlackberryIce. That would be hilarious, especially considering she's inherited her mother's bandy legs Blush I suppose it would be a world first!

OP posts: