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AIBU?

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Original poster

DH doesn't want DS doing ballet, unless he asks to.

123 replies

Ashrev · 13/10/2018 16:40

Hi,

Want to know who is wrong here. We have an older DD who does ballet (amongst other things) and I just assumed it would be good to start on the same activities we started DD with. DD started when she was 18 months, it was parent/baby. DS has hit 18 months, loves all the little dancy things they do in the class at home, so think it will be good for him.

Apparently DH says no. He has no problem with him doing ballet if he asks us but not to put him in it to start with Confused

Who is unreasonable!?

OP posts:
Faster · 13/10/2018 16:41

You’re DH. For being a prick.

Faster · 13/10/2018 16:41

*Your

Annie3907 · 13/10/2018 16:43

Is there any other dance class he can go to that isn’t ballet? That might have other boys?

I personally wouldn’t put my DS in a ballet class and him being the only boy there

CuriousaboutSamphire · 13/10/2018 16:45

Did OP say he would be the only boy? And why, at that age, would it matter anyway?

OP - your DH is being daft. Get your DS dancing, if he likes it so much!

BikeRunSki · 13/10/2018 16:46

Your DH. Is your 18 months old aware enough of other things to ask for anything yet?

Coldilox · 13/10/2018 16:54

I took my DS to a baby ballet class, there were lots of boys there.

SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires · 13/10/2018 16:55

Tell your DH that ballet, will help with playing footy & rugby. Wink

OnceUponATimeInAmerica · 13/10/2018 17:00

What SteamTrains said. Several secondary schools we have visited introduce ballet as part of their boys advanced football programme. Introduce it now, before DS has any inhibitions about it. I wish I had done it with my DS before he got to the age of thinking it was only for girls.

Your DH is being daft.

BertrandRussell · 13/10/2018 17:05

Absolutely fine for him to do ballet-but not sure automatically just doing the same as older sibling is necessarily a good idea whatever the activity.

BarbarianMum · 13/10/2018 17:07

18 mo is very young for dance of any kind (a bit of a waste of time tbh). I think all children should be given a choice of which activities to try. Ds2 asked to do ballet age 4 and has just given it up age 10. He now does tap and street instead. Being a boy that dances is quite tough and I do think you have to love it a bit to put up with the shit.

sourpatchkid · 13/10/2018 17:07

How old was DD when she started and did she choose it or did you choose it for her?

BertrandRussell · 13/10/2018 17:10

It doesn't matter when he's so tiny but do the older classes have any boys in them? Boy ballet is different to girl ballet once they get a little bit older and you need to be sure the teacher knows what she's doing.

speakout · 13/10/2018 17:15

Ballet at 18 months??

Really?

LuluJakey1 · 13/10/2018 17:16

DS does ballet at Nursery. He loves it.

Yabbers · 13/10/2018 17:18

What’s his problem with it?

Would he feel the same if your daughter was doing football?

Smarshian · 13/10/2018 17:18

Just to say I took my DD to baby ballet at 18 months and it was disastrous! But yanbu to want to take your ds, is just maybe wait 6 months/ a year.

speakout · 13/10/2018 17:18

No 18 month old can be taught ballet.

DancingDot · 13/10/2018 17:19

When I did ballet there was one boy in our class. He got picked on a bit in primary school but as soon as puberty hit and he was clearly the fittest and strongest boy in the class that changed! He is now a soloist for a major British dance company.

Any way that's by the by - find out why your husband is not keen (what are his actual fears?). At this age it's about joining in, listening to music and exercising - he won't be in a leotard.

Gizlotsmum · 13/10/2018 17:20

My ds does tap and ballet and loves both ( there’s 4 boys in his class and various boys throughout the grades).

NoBirthdayHugs · 13/10/2018 17:21

Is it just baby ballet rather than a formal ballet class? I think if it’s just a sensory dance class designed as fun for toddlers then your DP is definitely being unreasonable.

If you’re talking about formal dance classes to teach your DS ballet at 18 months then I agree he should be able to decide himself rather than being forced into it.

CripsSandwiches · 13/10/2018 17:21

DH is being unreasonable. At 18 months it isn't going to be DS who suggests the activities he does. If he enjoys the class why would you not take him?

JellieEllie · 13/10/2018 17:22

Let him watch Billy Elliot. Maybe he will change his mind.

MarklahMarklah · 13/10/2018 17:23

I hve no issue with boys doing ballet, but I have never signed my DD up to anything that hasn't been requested. We've sometimes only done a term of something, but I've always waited until she has asked to join or try something.

speakout · 13/10/2018 17:24

I watched the "baby ballet "video.
Most of these kids are way older than 18 months. More like 2-3 years old.

speakout · 13/10/2018 17:25

People who charge money for teaching "ballet" to 18 month old kids are taking the piss.

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