Well, my three year old started dance class. So, I guess I am a "dance mom" now? Is that how it works? Unexpected my heart was shattered in two when we arrived at her first class, the teachers announced "Parents this is a drop off class you aren't allowed into the classroom and you can just wait right here in the hallway until class is over." I'm sorry who now? No one, I mean no one gave my baby girl permission to get big enough to take a class that I am not needed to attend with her. I was shook mommas. SHOOK. Now I am here to give you the rundown on the things YOU need to know before your little birdie flies free in their leotard into their FIRST dance class. 

Get the proper shoes. You don't need to get super fancy with a lot of things but the shoes are absolutely the most important part of the whole get up and most time are actually required for the class. Having the right show is important so they can accurately execute the moves as asked (yes even at this age), good foundation = set up for success. Proper ballet flats for small people are around $20 or less, if they are real leather they will last quite a while because they will form and stretch with the foot. I took my daughter to Ballera here in town to get sized for her first pair because I just thought that would be so special, and I had no clue where to start. The pair cost $20, after she was appropriately measured and I was informed that one foot was a half size bigger than the other. ha ha. Now that I know her size if this pair gets ruined I would head to Amazon or Discount Dance online to replace them because, cheaper, and quicker. Although I really appreciated the assistance and experience that I had at Ballera I will likely take her in for fittings and purchase at the beginning of each season if we stick with it.

Don't go overboard with the wardrobe. My mom got her a basic pink leo that has a sheer skirt attached and is a perfect basic. I got her a three pack of white, pink, black tights and off we went to the first class with our perfect shoes and checked out the scene. Most girls were in some sort of a leo and had the shoes at least, some were in just like legging and comfy top. Just read class notes/description/requirements to see. Her class suggested that dance gear is preferred but not required. But, y'all know me, its required in my mind. I found another simple black leo on amazon and ordered just one for size and not that I know the fit and quality is good I will get more of the same brand either from there or from discount dance and then some mix-and-match slide on skirts that are sheer, so she can pick different combos for class. Thats about it though she really doesn't need much else.

Get your big girl panties on you'll be fine. For me it was all in the prep to make sure she was going to be comfortable and able to handle doing the class without having a major melt down. We talked about it ahead of time and we signed her up with a friend and then they talked about it every time they saw each other and she was STOKED. Had I known ahead of time that I wouldn't be in the room I would have totally reviewed that with her but it may have worked out better this way. Once they told us on the first day I just explained to her that I would be right out in the hall and she was like "ok good for you mom," and trotted off into line and announced her name when asked, and walked right through the door and I had to collect myself because who is this giant grown child? It was really a cool experience though in the end. She got to tell me everything they did, her teachers names, what the moves they did were called, and what letter she got to stand on. She did it on her own, and I only peeked in the door twice. Now, I don't know if this dance thing will really stick but, this is her first thing that is just for HER, not with me or dad and sister doesn't get to do it, she's counting down the days to her next class and I am just thinking of what a shit show I am going to be at this recital.