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'Pushy parents'

 I have just had a look through Pedro's blog of blogs checking up on blog updates from my fellow students and whilst commenting on Tyla's blog and supportive parents, it then got me thinking, of on a tangent I admit, about 'pushy parents' in the dance industry. 

(https://findingmywaythrumusic.blogspot.com/2022/10/six-finishing-stack-of-waffles.html?sc=1666982893350#c8154352109382166088)

I have encountered my fair share, it must be something about the dance industry, the shows, the competitions etc. I have to say none quite as extreme as the US 'Dance Moms' but still some who make you question if they are acting in their child's best interest.

For example, overcommitting them to too may classes, shows, competitions, auditions etc, using harsh language and criticism to get them to work hard and perform well. Some even marking their own children and peers as if they were a judge and then critiquing them. I could go on.  However it then made me think I've often found some of the students with the 'pushiest' of parents fall out of love with dance because the enjoyment has been taken out of it by it taking over their lives. It's sad.

On the flip side however I do think it's good to motivate children to work hard at things they want to do and to support them to accomplish things they want to achieve, but there has to be a balance. Where does one draw the line between motivational and pushy?

I would be interested to hear about any other 'pushy' parent experiences?


Comments

  1. Claire McManus6 November 2022 at 05:34

    I couldn't agree with you more about your comment of people falling out of love with dance due to pushy parents! So many of my former dance college colleagues who had openly pushy parents did not pursue a performing career once they left college. It was like they then felt free to be able to follow the path they wanted.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carys Dickens7 November 2022 at 11:34

    What a shame, but it happens a lot doesn't it!

    ReplyDelete

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