Are they too old?

Question

As a child, I was an avid ballerina, and I still teach ballet classes in my spare time. I introduced dance to my girls when they were babies, hoping they would find a love for it as much as I did. And for most of them, my wishes came true! Hannah, Taylor, Maggie, Leuscha, Ella, and Jordin are all dancers now. Hannah landed the part of Clara in "The Nutcracker" last year and the year before, and Taylor got it this year. Maggie and Leuscha are party girl and pollichennelles (mother ginger), and Ella is a mouse and Marzipan paige. But apparently ballet isn't "cool" anymore, and Taylor was bieng made fun of by some of her friends. If a 12 year old girl told you she was a ballerina, would you think she was a "loser"? Because that's what other girls her age seem to think.

Answer 1

i think she's awesome!!

Answer 2

Those who called your daughter a loser just wanted to say something mean. We don't know if they had a reason or not. Children know how to be cruel, but they don't always understand it's not a good idea. They call each other names just because they are 12 and don't know any better, not because ballet is not cool. Anything can become a subject of mean jokes - activities, hairstyle, clothes. That's why 12 year old children are often concerned with looking just like everyone else, being normal and doing normal things. But 18 comes and they suddenly want to stand out to be noticed. It's part of the growing up.

Answer 3

Absolutely not! If she loves what she is doing then it doesn't matter if it is cool or not. Dancing comes in handy in so many ways. I'm 14 and on occasions I've shown people at my school what amazing things I can do. Most of them are very impressed. Of course there are always going to be those people who hate it, but if she has enough confidence then she should hold her head high. Tell her that a lot of high schoolers do ballet and if she continues to work her best, who knows where she'll end up. Also, to The girls so-called "friends" have her ask them if they can do exactly what she is.

Answer 4

NO WAY! I would totally respect her and think she was cool for wanting to dance, especially if she got the part of Clara in The Nutcracker. If the teasing with your daughter doesn't stop, bring it up with the school's principal. No matter what, I think the best thing to tell your daughter is that there will always be people who will be mean but if she truly loves to dance and as long as she has her family, she could keep doing it beacuse it's her passion and at least she'll always be loved by the ones that matter the most. :)

Answer 5

I am 12 as well and just started dancing this year.l I think dancing is very cool. She should be very excited about being Clara, because it is a beautiful part. (I am a maid this year, so I get to watch Clara's part for most of the time.) I have lots of friends who are my age and older who have been taking dance their whole life. The other kids are just jealous. It will wear off. For now you could suggest she hang out with girls from her dance class. Hope it helps :)

Answer 6

when I was 12, some people though that it was totally cool that I did ballet...but most people (especially boys) thought it was lame and made fun of me. Now (I'm 16), everyone thinks it awesome. I think it's just that at 12, lots of people cant imagine what ballet really is, and they just see people wearing tuts and twirling around on stage. Now that I'm older, (and the other people are older too), it's all different. Probably because they can understand what ballet is better...and they know that if all I did was wear a tutu and twirl around on stage, I wouldn't do it because there would be no point to it.

Answer 7

absolutely no my dear. Young people make fun of virtually everything, and if she doesn't learn to defend her position or the things that she love from the opinion of some ignorant people she wont get far in any aspect of her life.
I'm 19 and I wish I would have practice ballet since little and continued it over the years. I practiced artistic gimnastics and I absolutely dont regret it.I dont practice any more because I moved to another country and because time and money issues, but it has been a tremendously important part in my life.
There is no age for the beauty of dance

Answer 8

she is definitely not a loser! i dont even know who would say that...i love ballet and i dance 3 and sometimes 4 days a week...your daughters are all obviously very talented and very smart...especially to get the part of clara dont let all the kids bring her down....dancing is awesome and she should definitely keep it up...you never know...she could become a pro in the nyc ballet or something so...tell to keep up the good work!

Answer 9

i would NEVER think she is a loser!!!! and here's why....

im 14, have been a dancer for most of my life, and am on my high school's dance team and my ballet studio's company. from my exeriences, dancers are very respected due to the beauty of the art form. maybe the reason she is being made fun of is because her friends are jealous of her ability. or, they may be trying to get her away from ballet so they can have more time with her to hang out, as i imagine most of her free time is occupied with class and rehearsal. in my opinion, she should stay with ballet as it teaches more than dance but also will help your girls to grow as people =]

Answer 10

I would never think that a twelve year old girl would be a "loser" period. That is just insane but you have to remember something about twelve year olds: they want to be and do what other children are doing at their age. I think it depends on what your daughter wants to do, it should be a choice. I think being a ballerina is wonderful. You have to remember though that as your daughter ages she may change. Maybe Taylor is dedicated to being a Ballerina and is wanting to stay with it. She has to know herself and not be afraid to be herself no matter what her friends say and do.

Answer 11

The girls that are calling your daughter a loser are probably jealous that they can't take ballet lessons.

Twelve years old is not too old to be taking lessons of any kind if your child is enjoying herself. And, who knows, maybe she'll become a professional dancer on Broadway some day!