Dance Mum Mode: How Parenting Changed Us as Studio Owners

You know that moment when you realise you’ve become that parent?

For Amanda, it hit one evening mid-week. Zali (her 12-year-old) had just finished dancing until 9pm for the third night in a row, and Amanda realised they hadn't had a proper family dinner in... well, who even knows? Between classes, travel time, and late-night reheats, dinner had quietly disappeared from the family calendar.

Sound familiar?

In this week’s honest, heartwarming conversation, Amanda and Bec reflect on how becoming mums - dance mums, no less - completely reshaped the way they think about studio life. What once looked like discipline and commitment now often just feels like a family trying to make it all work.

When Dance Becomes the Family Schedule

Zali dances five nights a week. That’s five nights of late finishes, packed dinners, and grandparent visits getting bumped off the calendar. And because Amanda teaches at the studio, she never really felt the impact until she became the parent trying to juggle it all.

It’s not just about dance. It’s about how dance fits into already full lives. That perspective shift changes everything.

The Softening: Less Judgement, More Empathy

Before kids, both Amanda and Bec admit to feeling frustrated when students missed rehearsals for family birthdays or holidays. Now? They've completely changed their tune.

After becoming mums, they started to see things differently. Dance is important, but so is dinner. So is a weekend off. So is not crying over lost hair bows or forgotten jazz shoes.

It’s not about lowering standards. It’s about recognising that life is big and messy and wonderful, and dance needs to fit into it, not take it over.

Teaching Your Own Child (Spoiler: It’s Not Always a Dream)

Teaching your own kid sounds like a dream, right?

Well… sort of.

Zali was a dream student. She called Amanda "Miss Amanda" and behaved like any other dancer. But little Sassy? Let’s just say clinginess, showing off, and classroom chaos were a regular feature.

Bec’s had her own share of tricky moments too, like fielding whispers when her daughter gets lead roles, despite genuinely earning them. Turns out being a dance mum comes with a side of studio politics too.

Small Changes That Made a Big Difference

One of the most powerful shifts came from listening to their daughters. Bec’s little one hated makeup, so Bec changed the policy. Now, dancers under 6 can opt out if it makes them uncomfortable. The result? Fewer tears, happier parents, smoother comp mornings.

It's a tiny change that speaks volumes: when you understand what parents and kids are going through, your policies start to shift from "how it's always been" to "what actually works."

Helping Parents Feel Heard (Not Judged)

One standout theme? Parents want to get it right. They just often feel anxious about speaking up.

Amanda now finds herself being approached as “Sassy’s mum,” not a studio owner, with questions about how to talk to teachers. And when miscommunication does happen (like a mix-up over solo lessons), it’s almost always resolved easily once there’s a safe space for parents to share their concerns.

That’s what Amanda and Bec want more studio owners to remember: we don’t need to make a big deal about every bow or missed shoe. We just need to offer a little grace.

Let Dance Be Part of Life: Not All of It

At the end of the day, Amanda and Bec are advocating for balance. Dance is magical, but it’s one part of a bigger picture: family dinners, school assignments, messy mornings, and all.

As studio owners and mums, they’ve seen both sides. And they’re learning to hold space for both.

So next time a parent turns up frazzled with mismatched tights or a missed bun, maybe offer a smile and a quick fix. Chances are, they’ve had a day.

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