Dance Mom has a new meaning

The term Dance Mom is often referred to as the Mom of a student, but what about when the dance teacher becomes a Mom for the first time? That term, Dance Mom, has a new meaning for our studio this year. I have one teacher who recently had her baby and has returned to teach. And another teacher with her first baby on the way who's on hiatis til next summer.

The role of Dance Teacher Mom is a tough gig. Often dance teachers are balancing a day job while teaching at night...throw a new baby in the mix and you have one tough assignment. Sleepless nights, nursing, lack of confidence, mom guilt --you name it and a new Mom has a lot on her plate.

As I watch them switch roles from teacher to mother it made me think about the advantages of being a Mom and a Teacher at the same time. Are young teachers without kids at a disadvanage with a lack of parental experience that is sometimes needed in the classroom? Or do dance teachers have some special skills they can bring to motherhood? Physical balance and flexibility will be an advantage during pregnancy, will patience and practice be an advantage in motherhood?

What do you think?

All I know for sure is that it is going to be fun to watch my teacher's grow in to their new roles as Dance Moms. And I certainly can't wait to get those new little feet dancing as soon as possible!

Do you warm up for your day?

In the dance studio, the warm up is the first thing you do before you take a class. Same should be true at home.

Is your morning routine working for you or just a survival tactic? Consider this, for a working Mom the most hectic part of the day can before you even get to the office. You’ve gotten up early to get yourself ready, packed the lunches or diaper bags and then you still need to feed and dress your children and get them in the car seats, drive to a daycare provider or school, and THEN you finally get to go to work.

I can remember this crazy schedule when my own daughters were little; then I topped it off with a 50 minute commute. Ironically, the commute is what often saved me. It gave me time to think, to regroup. I could drop the ‘Mom job’ and put on my work face for the rest of the day. It worked in reverse on the way home, from work back to being Mom in 50 minutes (or less) depending on what was waiting for me at home.

I felt like one of those blankets that convert to a cute cuddly animal.

As it turns out, the 50 minute commute was critical to my success. How many of you can honestly say you spend an hour or two each day planning and thinking? I could plan and be purposeful each day without running around in a needless hustle. If you don’t enjoy a long commute like me, you can still start your day with some extra time. Wake up 20 min. early – give yourself some space and time to live within. A little warm up, even if it means just sitting quietly on the couch thinking about one topic before the rest of the house wakes up, will help you focus and be more productive.

Every dancer knows the importance of a good stretch. All of us, dancers and non-dancers alike, can take care of our body before we even get out of bed in the morning.

Here’s a great way to wake up:

1. Pull your knees to your chest while laying on your back.
2. Circle your feet in both directions. Do some push and pulls with your feet.
3. Now it’s time to get up, put your feet over the side of the bed and when your feet hit the floor say “Good morning” or “Thank you” or whatever mantra you chose.
4. When you brush your teeth you can easily do ten Plie’s and even throw in a few Releve’s while you are at it.
5. Next, stand tall, reach for the sky, take a deep breath and then reach for your toes. And hold it. Repeat as necessary to feel great.
6. Shake it out and smile.

Now you are warmed-up for the day.