It is often the case that dance competitions are not just about the dance students competing, but their parents too. Who is the pushiest? Who did the best for their dancer? For many parents, dance is just a fun pastime for their children which reaps much enjoyment and rewards, whereas for others it is cut throat territory, out to achieve the best for their young starlets.
It is easy to become overwhelmed with insecurities about yourself and your dancer when drawing comparisons between others and their abilities. Before you know it, you are wondering why you came to the competition or audition, or even class or workshop, and you may even be worried that you have set your dancer up for failure.
Despite this, there are many dance parents who are ready to connect with others. Most are experiencing the same fears and emotions and they are seeking camaraderie, advice, and friendship. It is often beneficial and rewarding to interact and become friendly with other dance parents.
The dance world is small and it is likely that if you are actively attending events with your dancer, the chances are you will see the same people again and again. If you attend dance events alone it is often necessary to make friends with other parents to make the events more fun and enjoyable. It also makes you realise that you are not alone in concerns, worries, and joys.
Making friends, networking and gaining advice are also large parts: it enhances dance lives and is essential to connecting with others with whom you have a shared interest. Some dance parents guard information closely in order to give their child every possible advantage and although hoarding information might provide short-term benefits, it backfires in the long-term. By hoarding information, you will eventually shut off possible opportunities for information to come to you. But by sharing information and being helpful, you create a culture that will cycle back to you.