Sunday, June 7, 2015

Ballet Class

From the second I found out I was having a baby girl, I immediately envisioned ballet classes and pink tutus. So as soon as Grace was old enough, I enrolled her in a toddler ballet class through the local Parks and Rec.

While Grace did look the part of a baby ballerina with her leotard, tights and tiny ballet shoes, it was not the experience I had envisioned. I ended up DREADING taking her to class every week. My little independent toddler suddenly became a huge cry-baby-mama's-girl every time we would step foot in the classroom. They ask the moms to stay outside during the class and as soon as I would leave, Grace would begin crying hysterically and would refuse to cooperate. There were a few classes that we ended up just going home after about 10 minutes. Now, I realize this may be normal behavior for some toddlers, but not for Grace. Any time I leave her at the gym daycare, church nursery or a friend's house, she can't get rid of me fast enough! I never really figured out why she was so scared.

What I did figure out however, is that I definitely don't have what it takes to be a dance mom (which let's be honest, is probably a good thing.) I'm sure we will try ballet again sometime down the road but I'll definitely wait for Grace to ask me first this time. In the end, at least I got a few cute pictures out of it, right?

Grace with her ballet teacher

Grace and her fellow ballerinas.

 
And lastly, a more accurate picture to remember the experience by...