Ready to Dance Without Mom

My six-year was really attached to me until he started kindergarten. Since then, he’s grown a lot more independent and also starting to want to be with his dad and other adults more. It’s all part of the growing up process.

My daughter, who will be four-years old in a couple of weeks, is even more attached than my son was. She wants me for everything all the time. Leaving her for the first time at preschool was heart-breaking, with all the tears that were shed. When it comes to activities, it needs to be parent and tot otherwise there is a lot of crying involved.

So earlier this summer when one of one Kyah’s friends mom, asked if I wanted to put enrol Kyah in her week-long summer dance program called Princess Power at Pulse Dance Centre, I was hesitant. I knew that she would be very excited to go leading up to it but then when the moment came for me to actually leave, she wouldn’t want me to go, she wouldn’t let go of my leg or there would be crying. I’d already been through that scenario before and I was okay with it. I just figured it would take her time.

Photo Source: Pulse Dance Centre
Photo Source: Pulse Dance Centre

After thinking about it for a while, I decided to give it a try. If the scenario turned out to be the way I predicted, at least we gave it a go.

But I was in for a big surprise! Once we got to Pulse Dance Centre and I took Kyah inside the classroom, she gave me a long hug and kiss and then she went and sat down with the other students. I slowly left, figuring she would come running after me, but it never happened. I kept waiting for a phone call to tell me to come back because Kyah was crying or upset. That never happened either.

Instead, each afternoon when I came to pick her up, she was happy and excited. She would show me the craft and coloring she had done that morning as well as show me the dance moves that she had learned and the friends she had made. It was really wonderful. The instructors were all so great with kids. They did a fun and unique princess related games and crafts each day. They learned new dances moves in each class and each day focussed on a different princess.

Photo Courtesy: Pulse Dance Centre
Photo Courtesy: Pulse Dance Centre
Photo Courtesy: Pulse Dance Centre
Photo Courtesy: Pulse Dance Centre

It all culminated to a wonderful dance showcase on the last day of camp where all the students showed the parents what they had learned. A bonus was that we got to see a slide show of photos that were taken throughout the whole week so that the parents could see exactly what the kids had been doing.

Now Kyah keeps asking me if she can go back to the the second dance camp session in August. I am so happy that it’s helping her become a more independent and excited to do things on her own. She really is Ready to Dance Without Mom.

 

 

10 thoughts on “Ready to Dance Without Mom

  1. What a great experience for your daughter and I’m sure no matter how much independence she learns, she will always be attached to her mom.

  2. Aww that’s so awesome to hear. For some reason, I’ve never had a clingy toddler when it comes to activities–mine doesn’t want anyone to do anything with her and would rather do her own thing! I’m sure despite independence, she and your son will always be attached to you.

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