So, about this Dance Moms thing ...

[Akoto]

How is this shit not considered child abuse? Every time I see a commercial for the show, it involves the "instructor" (Abby Lee Miller) berating little children in her loudest possible scream. That's when she's not weeping about her reputation being ruined.

Then, there's the moms. They're going at each other, at the instructor, instructor going after them. The kids seem like a second thought or a prop.

I just want to shake the lot of them and say, "Yo! It's dancing! Fine, be passionate about it, but get some priorities! See what the real world is like!"

*pant pant* Rant over.

[mahina]

1. No idea what you are talking about,

must be a TV show?

In real life I know of a dance Mom who raised a brilliant choreographer and wonderful mother and friend.

Another real life dance Mom who works double shifts to send her lovely and very sweet daughter to Interlochen and other amazing opportunities.

Until I was friends with the first example, I never really 'got' dance. Contemporary dance is such a joy!

About the tv show, sick! Toxic people. The Moms should stand up for their kids and walk, and find a better teacher, no kidding. I hope it's just for show.

[Akoto]

2. Yes, it's a reality TV show.

Involves the instructor, Abby Lee Miller, teaching kids to dance at her school while the moms observe.

Usually, it devolves into a screaming match between the moms and instructor/moms and moms/instructor and children. You don't even have to watch the show to know this, because the commercials go out of their way to feature this craziness.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. They are too young for that

I was a professional ballerina when I was younger. I also taught competitive level dance a day or two a week, and did choreography for competitions until I developed A.S. in 2009 (the old girl can't do splits anymore! ).


That's too young for that. At around 13/14/15 when the stakes rise - it was par for the course when I was growing up. And what she does is minor compared to a ballet schools that feed NYU, Julliard, Boston Conservatory, the Joffrey, ABT, San Fran Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, etc. etc. We're talking being told you are getting to be a fat ass in front of the class when you are 14, are 5 feet 4 inches tall, and weigh 105 pounds. <---- That's the reality. Good, bad, or indifferent.

But as a teacher - even when I had to fill in for someone who taught little kids (to me - anyone I have to "show" and I can't just give you a count and steps is a little kid) - you have to make it fun.

My instructors from the time I was 8 until 13 were fun . . . then I got the MONSTER instructor. No matter how much he berated me for being a Prima Donna who needed to be knocked down a peg - I always loved the ballet.

These kids will HATE it by the time they are in their early teens - and as well they should. I've watched the show twice. They are technically good - but no real talent there. They count well and have been 'trained' well - but no 'dancers'. You just don't see the love in their eyes.

[Akoto]

5. I can't help but feel like both Miller and the moms ...

... are living vicariously through the children, at the kids' expense.

[JustAnotherGen]

8. 100%

They are stage mothers to the nth degree. My mother was never like that.

My dad had a touch of it though . . . But that's because he felt his kids were natural athletes - and he was amazed at the athleticism it took en pointe.

[progressivebydesign]

4. I took my daughter then 9, to a dance studio once.

She signed up for hip hop classes. There is a glass wall where you can view the students, and as I was watching I heard the girls and their Mom's behind me, making fun of my girl because she was overweight (by their standards.) I noticed that no other girls had wanted to befriend her there, either. I did turn around and say "that is my daughter you're laughing at." And it was the same at any dance studio she tried to enroll in.. she was tormented by the Moms and the girls in the classes, until she gave up completely.

I have no use for people like that.

[mahina]

6. My friend, who is a dance professor now, encourages and supports people of all body types

and ages too!

I'm sorry your little girl and you had to deal with that. Sometimes people just stink.

[DefenseLawyer]

7. I'm not expert on "reality tv"

but I assume that most if not all of those shows are scripted to manufacture drama.

[LisaL]

9. I think they should go easy on the drama.

So much bickering and screaming makes it difficult to watch.

[mahina]

10. Very unfortunately, I saw some of the show tonight.

Vile.

People that nasty shouldn't be anywhere near kids.

[JVS]

11. Abby gets results by demanding the best from her students.

Also, I don't consider shouting corrections during lessons to be berating. The moms are fucking nuts though. As far as the real world goes, Miller isn't bullshitting about the real world when she says that if you want to have fun go take dance at the YMCA, but if you want to get a job dancing take lessons from her.