I signed my 3 year old up for ballet classes in April, because she's been obsessed with ballet since seeing the Nutcracker at Christmas. Well, the first two weeks went off without a hitch. She's never been in a class away from me before (just mommy and me swim lessons is the only other class we've done)... so I was pleasently surprised. Then week 3 another little girl was crying during her class, so my girl started crying. The next week was fine. Then last week she only lasted 5 minutes before she started crying. It wasn't her usual teacher, it was a sub. Today it was the usual teacher, she wouldn't go in! How do I deal with this? I drive a long way and I paid a lot of money, that we barely have, to get her these lessons. I just want her to have fun, but I don't want to waste time, money, and gas either.

My son was the same way with Tae Kwon Doe classes. He was excited for the first 2 lessons then the teacher scared him and has refused to go back since. I stopped taking him and he seems ok about it. I just don't want to force him into anything he's not comfortable with. I guess kids are like grown ups too. Like when you just had to buy that expensive pair of boots that you'll break in someday... but really they are totally uncomfortable and refuse to wear them again. Same concept. :)

I haven't had this issue but have you asked her why she doesn't want to continue the classes? I think its important for her to finish them out even if she decides to not continue on for the future. While its ok to try out new things once you've put in the time and money they need to follow through to the end of the set of lessons. I can understand being upset because another girl is or the teacher is different, but she still needs to participate and stay in the class. Do they ask you take her out of the class if she cries or are they used to smaller children?

I agree about asking her. Maybe she feels scared or bored. Maybe see if there's something you can do to fix it. If not, you may have to nix the ballet. She is still young and may simply not be ready for something like that.

A sit down talk seems like the best way to figure out exactly what is going on. She might be worried that her teacher will go away again?

I was the same way as a child, would give up on all my lessons after a few weeks. Honestly, I wish my mother had made me go. I had to learn to follow through with things as an adult and it was a hard lesson.

Well I decided not to take her today. She says she won't go in the room to dance, and she is very stubborn, so I see no reason to drive all that way to take her there. I guess she's not ready for a class on her own. :(

Good, it's not like she's purposely quitting. We don't realize how brave our children are sometimes but in the end they're still kids and need us to tell them everything is going to ok. :)

It's a shame really that classes like these ask for a full term's payment up front, particularly for infants. It's a little different when a 6 or 7 year old wants the same thing - at least they should be old enough to understand that if they want to attend classes and mommy isn't rich :rolleyes: then they should at least have the good grace to continue through bumpy patches and only when the first term is done can they decide whether or not to continue. Even if mommy is rich then they should still be guided by the same principle.

But a 3-year-old? They are just babies! I think it's wrong for a class to demand a full term's payment up front. It should be a pay per class arrangement for little ones. They are far too young to grasp the knowledge that they asked for it so they gotta stick it out!

Oh! And can I just say, Ayan, that I love your 'quote'. My son is 32 and lives thousands of miles away and I miss him so very much. I can still feel the warmth of his little body leaning against me when he sat in my lap for a story when he was just a little boy - and he will never outgrow my heart.

*sniffles* :rolleyes:

I was very happy to find that when I signed my little one (18 months) up for gymnastics that it is only four weeks at a time, so if it goes wrong I lose little. However ours is a mother and me class so I haven't faced this issue.

I am sorry your girl is unhappy, but I think if you force her then she could have far greater issues in future with separation. Best to just go with the flow right now.

Thanks everyone. The class term is over and I didn't sign her up for the next term. We'll try again with solo classes in like 6 months, see how she does then. We have a lot going on right now, with moving and stuff, so I don't want to overburden her.