True Life: I’m a Baby Ballerina Mom

Like many young girls, I fell head over heels in love at an early age. (I was three.) Except for me (unlike most), it wasn’t a fleeting, fickle love — it was the start of a deep, and all-consuming passion. One that followed me into college and beyond. Oh, the magic of baby ballet. The tutu, the slippers, the music and the movement; I was hooked from my very first class. And I never looked back.

I did it all: ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary. I performed several times a year with my local ballet company, cheered on the sidelines at football games, and competed with my high school dance team. (I was the captain.) I couldn’t get enough. DANCE WAS MY LIFE. And yes, I realize how that sounds. I even entered college as a ballet major, but then eventually made the switch to broadcast journalism. But I never lost that loving feeling.

As a soon-to-be mama of three girls, it would seem I have hit the Dance Mom jackpot. We (okay me) couldn’t wait to sign our oldest (Savannah) up for Baby Ballet. And the truly exciting thing is, she absolutely LOVES it. Like can’t wait to go to class every week. And constantly puts on a show for anyone who will watch. If music is playing, girlfriend’s gotta move — it really doesn’t matter where we are. She recently tap danced to Sinatra in a pizza restaurant. I pretended to be mortified, and obviously told her to sit down — but in all honesty, it was pretty freaking adorable.

And while I am secretly pleased that she seems to enjoy dance almost (or as much) as I did, I would never want to be one of those moms that pushes my kids into something just because I loved it. That is not my style. So I have not (to this point) made a big deal about the baby ballet thing. I’ve told her mommy used to dance, but I have left it at that. I want my children to decide which activities they want to be involved in themselves. I want them to find and follow their own passions, not simply relive mine. Most importantly I want them to know that we will always love and support them — no matter what they decide to do in life. (Within reason, of course.) So for now I will embrace my role as Baby Ballerina Mama, and look forward expectantly to whatever the future holds.

featured photo by Peter Voerman via Flickr

About the author…After three blissful years in the Treasure State, Jessica recently moved back to Houston, Texas with her hunky husband and her two precious little girls, Savannah and Emma Kate.  They are expecting a third baby (girl) this summer! Jessica is a small business owner with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and a nerd-like love for political science. She is passionate about writing, marketing, social media management, and this wonderfully beautiful mess we call parenthood.