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

[Ashrev]

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

Who is unreasonable!?

Your DH is not out of order you are. When he is older if he asks then fine. Otherwise it is no different than trying to force your DD to do rugby or football.

Does the same ridiculousness apply to tumble tots, rhyme time or any other toddler based activities? What child of either sex ever gets up and asks to do ballet? Do you know the DD asked to do it? No. Parents frequently put their children into activities because it is enriching their lives, not just because little Johnny/Joanna asked to do it.

I still have horror over trying ballet at three years with ds though... he ran around and stuck his lips all over the mirror.

18 months is hardly really ballet is it?

Why does he have to follow suit? Is it because you'll be there anyway?

My daughter teaches ballet.

I have heard all the tales. She teaches kids from the age of 3 and upwards. Even at that age children are not learning ballet as such.
They are too immature to have the the physicality, the understanding to learn ballet.
Even at 3 they are still learning to listen, to act to sounds, to explore space and rhythm, to learn some discipline.
All useful skills, and can be made into huge fun with props, games, etc. It's not so much about ability as maturity.
But "real ballet " won't really start even then for a year or two.

Nothing wrong with him doing ballet, but he shouldn't just have to do whatever his sister does

Why did you chose ballet for your daughter? why do you want them doing the same thing? You were happy to fill a stereotypes for your daughter

Not sure you can call it ballet at 18 months. Random clumsy movements with ballet music playing in the background is more accurate but if your DS likes it then surely that's the 18 month old equivalent of asking to do it?

Ballet is one of the worst things ever, why would you want to inflict this on anyone. It leads to self consciousness, body image issues, disfigurement and hallucinations. You need to watch Black Swan.

Better surely to take him to dancing or music singalongs at that age. Or swimming.

Agree DC did pointless ballet at 4

Ashrev I agree with your dh. If your son chooses ballet, great, if not it seems a bad idea.

My dd did ballet at 3 and hated it, it lasted a term and was an awful upsetting experience (for all - her, me and probably the teacher too!)

Ballet was quite strict.

I'm generally all for mums doing their own thing but in this case I agree with your husband, why should your ds automatically do what your dd does?

I'd feel exactly the same if you were asking if your 18th month old dd should follow her big brother into rugby!

For me its the fact he's doing the same thing as his sister. Why?

I wouldn't personally, seems to be 'going against stereotypes' for the sake of it if he's not even asked to.
Can you find him a different style of dance class?
In your position I'd rather get him starting activities that he's more likely to continue eg. Modern dance, street dance etc that he could enjoy throughout primary, I doubt ballet would be the same once he got to 5/6 as the only boy in the class.
Also uniform is compulsory past pre primary ballet at my DDs classes and I wouldn't want to make my DS wear a leotard and skirt!

Boys don’t wear leotards or a skirt.....

I think you'll find that dance schools have a different uniform for boys zigzag.

Tbh though once you move out of the baby ballet no one wears a skirt in lessons.

At 18 months is there really going to be much difference between ballet and any other style of dance anyway?

Is this your first post Op?

Oh only same thing as her while they are little and I can drop them both/do the class at the same time. Daughter is only 4! Yes the idea is obviously not "proper ballet" at his age. Lol at making him wear a leotard and skirt males are a large part of ballet and obviously have a different uniform.

He does swimming. I just really wanted to do a class with him and I'm free at the time the class is on like I did with dd

Not my first post no but if I start a thread I post under a different username than my actual "proper" username

Really Op Why?

Baby ballet is very inoffensive

Id wait until he was old enough to pick a hobby for himself. But Id wait until a girl was old enough too. Dd asked to do rugby when she was 3. Saw some other kids doing it and wanted to have a go. 18 months is very little. My 20mo dd wouldnt have to focus to follow the instructions.

My DS goes to baby ballet, he started at 16 months and is nearly two now. It's jumping up and down, good toes naughty toes and marching in a circle FFS. He's 2 and it's am activity within walking distance of our house, I'm not expecting Nijinsky There are three other boys in our class. DS loves it and adores the teacher.

He also does baby phonics, art class, tots music, diddikicks and playgroup. Rounded education and all that (I'm being tongue in cheek saying "education" btw)

He also does baby phonics, art class, tots music, diddikicks and playgroup. and ballet.

A little over invested I may suggest?

Helicopter parent.