Hell hath no fury like a mother whose child is scorned...
23 August 2009, 10:31
Scout went to her first “fairy ballet” class yesterday at one of the local studios.
Although she’s a rather outgoing child, we were expecting her to be a little shy at first as it was quite an intimidating environment - 8 little girls between 3 and 5 in their pale pink ballet outfits and shoes, all of whom knew each other, flitting around on the floor in front of two walls fully lined with mirrors.
But once the teacher called them over to start, Scout charged off and joined in with gusto (we were so proud). She loves to dance so had her “focus” face on, but halfway through the class, started to hone in on the other girls to try and make friends.
It’s human nature to group around people you know and I guess 3 and 4 year olds are no exception, but Scout was laughing along with them and trying to fit in (she seems to go into every situation assuming that people will be her friend, and it works… most of the time). She was holding one of the little girl’s hands during a circle exercise and decided this girl was going to be her friend and said to her “I’m going to tell you a secret.”
This little girl jumped away like she’d been scalded by hot water and ran to the other side of the circle to hold another friend’s hand. To her credit, Scout just carried on like nothing had happened, but it broke my heart to see her rebuffed for no real reason.
I know she’s going to be picked on at some stage, lose friends, be ostracised, will probably ostracise kids herself - I know it’s all part of the human experience that I can’t necessarily protect her from, blah blah blah, but it was horrible to watch.
Although the class was by no means a “serious” ballet lesson, there was still “something” about the vibe that did not sit well with me. I’m sure the other parents are probably very similar to me and simply enjoy watching their kids dance, but there seemed this aura of expectation and competition that I knew existed but never thought I’d be sitting on the sidelines of. It was nothing obvious and maybe I’m being harsh but although I love nothing more than watching Scout having fun (and she had sooooooo much fun), I think the Saturday morning ballet class is going to be McG’s activity with her.
McG didn’t even seem to notice the rebuff, but then McG has never been a little girl. Little girl’s can be cruel. I don’t want to burden Scout with my own negative perceptions of what other girls can be like, when in reality, she’ll probably have a few BFFs from that very class in a few weeks and she’s got to learn about human interaction (good and bad) for herself, but I’m. Watching. Everything. Let it be known.
Permanent Link | CommentsJust call me Hannah
16 August 2009, 10:21
Scout has been in creative overdrive of late. She drew this picture at creche…
then hastily amended the work at home to include her 3 magical baby sisters…
I suppose someone should tell her?
Conversation in the bath
5 August 2009, 18:27
Scout: Mum, I got your long legs!
Mum swells with pride that her beloved daughter would notice such a thing.
Scout: But my legs are thin. And your legs are fat.
