ballet

[AquaWriter]

my eldest is five and has a friend at school who goes to ballet classes. she’s been begging to start but i did ballet as a child and grew up to realise how toxic the environment was. I’m torn because i want her to be able to find her passion and do what she enjoys but also want to look out for her, any advice?

Ballet isn't toxic at 5. Or at all. My kids have all danced and are perfectly happy and healthy teens

As PP says, it’s not toxic at 5. As they get older, it really depends on the teacher. DD is still doing ballet (for fun) at 17; her teacher may be as mad as a box of frogs but body size or weight has never been an issue with her (if that’s what you’re worried about).

Both my daughters, 14 and 16, do ballet but not competitively - they have done comps/festivals in the past but prefer not to now. They do tap, modern etc as well but they really love ballet and have done since they were small. Their dance school is fairly small but friendly and supportive. My eldest has an auto immune condition and this past year my younger daughter has had to cope with bullying at school. Both of them have told me that dancing has basically been an important outlet and a positive distraction for them. Sorry to hear your experience wasn’t good. Maybe it depends on the dance school so maybe visit a couple to be sure?

This really depends on the dance school. I wouldn’t assume it will be toxic. I did ballet to 13 with two different dance schools - not toxic. My children currently dance with a lovely inclusive dance school and they gain so much from having a group of friends outside school. That said I do know of another local dance school with a reputation for being more… toxic, I guess.

I did ballet since i was 2 and went on to do it professionally till i was 20 and found it very toxic but i suppose it’s just where you go. I’m hoping this will be more of a fun afterschool thing.

yes thank you

Things have changed somewhat in recent years and I say that even though I'm a parent whose dc was chewed up and spat out of the system. There is still a way to go, but little kids are just doing it for fun. If is no longer fun, they can stop.