"Christine is known as the Child Whisperer for a reason. She has broken the code of understanding children and getting their full potential in dance."
-Ben Vereen Tony and Emmy award winning dancer, actor and singer
They are everywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re in basketball, softball, gymnastics, violin, dance, or karate; they are there with their child creating drama under the guise of helping their child.
Who are they? The dreaded stage parent.
We all know them when we see them. Anyone can spot a “stage mom.” Or dad. Even a stage m
om can spot a stage mom.
But—a stage mom can never spot herself. That’s because denial comes with a good set of blinders. ... Click to read more
A reader sent a questio
n asking me if the drama seen on Dance Moms could possibly happen at a “real life” dance studio.
The answer is, you betcha. It happens all over reality TV and the reality of life.
I’m sure you’ve noticed how many people lose it these days.
In my upcoming book I discuss how parent-child relationships drive attacks on third parties. Because the child and parent have not learned how to really, truly engage authentically with each other, they can get attention and connect with each other in a skewed way simply by blaming a third person. ... Click to read more
Time for the big Dance Deliberation? Should you sign up your child or not? When parents are on the fence, and the young child does have fun when they get to class* and the older child does work hard in class there are five top reasons nationwide that pop up in parent’s minds to justify not doing dance.
*A child who argues about leaving for dance but who has fun once they are in class, does like dance. Parent-child dynamics are being battled out about cooperation to leave, which is a different subject.
Parents will assume to know that their two, three or four year old couldn’t possibly know what they want. To this I counter, “Have you ever tried to serve them asparagus?” Do they have a favorite book? A favorite toy? Parents are often caught up being in control for everything about their child which is a recipe for disaster down the road. Being disconnected to your child’s interests will lead to resentment from the child and them acting out.
And by the way, many a ballerina and doctor loved dance class at age 3. Dance class done well breeds success. ... Click to read more
People asked me about Dance Mom’s nine-year old golden-child Maddie forgetting her choreography onstage for the first time. She ran off the competition stage and begged to return over her seeming concern about her teacher Abby. “Abby will hate me. She’ll be mad at me for forgetting!”
Many a parent would accuse the dance teacher for such a reaction in their child. “She must rule with an iron fist!” “She must have students so terrified that they panic over a “simple” mistake!”
However, it was not a mistake and it was far from simple.
In my soon to be released book I discuss just how much the parent’s ineffective parenting lacks the necessary support for their dance child. ... Click to read more
I received a question from a reader asking me if I thought crop tops and booty shorts for her 7 year old were unbecoming. They attend a competition studio.
Webster’s dictionary says that unbecoming clothing means “unflattering.”
Webster’s also says that unbecoming attitude means “not fitting or appropriate; unseemly.”
If my wonderful reader meant clothing, I say it’s subjective. Sure a 7 year old looks cute in most anything, but that is not the issue to parent by. ... Click to read more
