I have a 4YO. She currently does dancing and cheerleading on a Saturday. Currently she enjoys both and copes well. However they've been 45 minute 'for-fun' sessions. Logistically it's fairly easy to manage too as they are both in the morning, down the road from us and close to each other.
Next year, however, she starts school and commitment goes up a gear. Dancing she'll be doing 90 minutes of lessons if she does all 3 of tap/modern/ballet and she starts doing exams and they do a show every year or 2. Cheerleading she's been invited to join a competitive team which is really exciting but does mean commiting to at least an hour training a week and about 4-5 competitions a year. The teaching for both is still a Saturday, doesn't clash (for now) and she'd still be done by early afternoon meaning that it's practically still more than doable.
I have tried asking dd which she would prefer to carry on but being a 4YO she gives me no straight answer 🤣 and her most consistent response is that she wants to keep doing both. Is this crazy now that the commitment is notching up? Is it just going to be too much for her? I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea in theory to be carrying on both for some time at least as the skills tie together nicely but I don't want her to get worn out and lose the enjoyment. If I'm really honest if push came to shove I'd chose for her to keep up dancing as I think it's what she's developing more of a passion for and I prefer it haha. However like I said she loves both.
My gut is to keep her in both and see how she likes it as this will give her the brilliant opportunities that both have to offer and she'll eventually probably mature enough to tell me which, if either, she wants to continue with. However, I just wondered if anyone's LOs have been in a similar situation or are equally up to their eyeballs in clubs and what your thoughts are. I would appreciate any insight from anyone who's already been there and done that. Thanks xx
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Cheerleading AND dancing.. too much for my 4/5YO?
Ahurricaneofjacarandas · 22/05/2022 04:32
Beamur · 22/05/2022 09:57
Try it, but I think it will be too much.
RandomMess · 22/05/2022 14:34
Cheer is a team sport something that gymnastics and dance isn't generally if you do it competitively so it does give different skills that way.
Dance festivals are seemingly all about who your teacher knows rather than who is the best!
Marty13 · 22/05/2022 14:40
I mean if I have a daughter I'm more likely to encourage her to do jiu jitsu than cheerleading 😂
Marty13 · 22/05/2022 14:40
I mean if I have a daughter I'm more likely to encourage her to do jiu jitsu than cheerleading 😂
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