Tag Archive for: Competitions

Expert Tips for Supporting Your Dancer

ESSENTIAL Tips for SLAYING the Dance Mom Life!

HONEY, let me tell you ALL about being a dance mom! (adjusts rhinestone “Dance Mom” shirt)

Listen up, because your baby’s about to start their journey to becoming a STAR, and mama, you need to know how to work it! After years of rhinestones, hairspray clouds, and enough bobby pins to fill a Home Depot, I’m spilling ALL the tea!

The REAL Deal About Dance Life

If you think dance is just about twirling around in tutus, you’ve got another thing coming! This is about building confident kids!

Gear Up Like a BOSS

Listen here – you can’t send your little star out there looking anything less than PERFECT!

Get yourself to that dance boutique and don’t you DARE skimp on those shoes! My daughter wore cheap tap shoes ONCE and honey, never again!
Keep that dance bag STOCKED! I’m talking industrial-strength hairspray, enough bobby pins to survive the apocalypse, and safety pins for DAYS!
And please, for the love of everything sacred, buy backup tights. Trust your dance mama on this one!

Time Management is Your New BFF

Y’all, my calendar looks like a Broadway production schedule, and I LIVE for it! Between classes, competitions, and costume fittings, you better get yourself the biggest planner you can find. And yes, your regular life will have to work around dance – priorities, people!

Competition Season = Game Time

Oh. My. Word. Competition season is our Super Bowl! Here’s the tea:

Pack EVERYTHING the night before. I mean EVERYTHING!
Get there early – nobody ever won Grand Champion from the parking lot
Bring enough snacks to feed a small army (but nothing that stains those $300 costumes!)
And remember: there’s nothing a little glitter hairspray can’t fix!

Being THE Dance Mom Your Child Needs

Look, we’ve all seen those TV shows, but real dance moms know it’s about building our babies up! When my daughter forgot solo last year, did I flip? NO MA’AM! We turned that moment into a learning experience and even better she stayed on that stage and made up the rest of the dance. I as proud of her for sticking it out … and I told her so. it didn’t matter that she forgot, it mattered that she kept her cool and kept at it.

Finding Your Tribe

Honey, you NEED your dance mom sisters! These are the women who will hold your coffee while you’re safety-pinning a headpiece, the ones who’ll share their last pair of backup tights, and who understand why you’re crying at every recital!

Cross-Training is Your Secret Weapon, Honey!

Listen up, because this tea is HOT! Y’all think just dancing is enough? You don’t need to sign up for every activity in town (Lord knows our schedules are PACKED), but mixing it up with some pilates or strength training? That’s how you create a POWERHOUSE performer!

Mental Health Comes Before Trophies, Period!

Y’all, we need to talk about something serious. takes off rhinestone crown Between the competitions, rehearsals, and costume changes, this life can get INTENSE! I check in with my daughter every single day – not just about her triple pirouettes (which are FAB, by the way), but about how she’s FEELING. Sometimes we skip practice and just get ice cream, because mama knows when her baby needs a break!

Budget Like a Boss!

Let me tell you about dance expenses! fans self with last month’s studio bill Listen here – you’ve got to know your limits before you’re selling your good pearls to pay for another sequined costume! Have that honest conversation with your studio about what you can handle. Trust me, it’s better than crying in your car after writing another check you can’t afford!

Knowledge is POWER!

adjusts reading glasses dramatically Listen up, because this is IMPORTANT! You can’t just show up looking pretty in your “Dance Mom” t-shirt without knowing your chassés from your chaînés! I’ve got every dance magazine subscription known to man, and I’m in ALL the Facebook groups. Why? Because when my daughters teacher starts talking about her développé, mama knows EXACTLY what needs work!

Show Up & SHINE Like the Queen Dance Mama You Are!

HONEY! clutches pearls Are we even having this conversation about showing up to watch your baby perform?! Let me tell you something – I haven’t missed a single performance since my daughter first danced across that stage, and I don’t plan on starting now!

And I’m not just talking about sitting there scrolling through your phone (I see you, Karen in row three! 👀). I’m talking about being FULLY PRESENT!

My dance mama essentials for every performance:

That good camera or camera phone with the FANCY zoom lens (because your baby might be in the back row, but they’re still the STAR!)
Backup battery packs (because you are recording EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT.)
A tissue pack (waterproof mascara can only do so much, y’all!)
That sign you stayed up until 3 AM making with enough glitter to be seen from space

And don’t even get me started on the after-performance routine! I’ve got that “You were AMAZING, sweetie!” speech down pat.

Remember: These moments are precious, and they go by faster than a quick change between numbers! So put down that phone (unless you’re recording), plant yourself in that audience, and be your baby’s biggest, loudest, most embarrassing fan! That’s what we’re here for!

Final Words of Wisdom

Being a dance mom isn’t for the faint of heart, but baby, it’s worth every single rhinestone, every early morning, and every mascara-ruining proud tear! Your little dancer needs you in their corner, so put on your sparkle game face and get ready for the time of your life!

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Tips & Tricks, Costumes

How to Choose a Lyrical Dance Costume

My tips for choosing a lyrical dance costume!

Hey dance moms! Let’s talk about something that keeps me up at night – lyrical costumes! After countless competitions and hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of dollars spent on costumes, I’ve learned a thing or two about picking the perfect lyrical outfit for our dancers. Trust me, I’ve seen it all – from costume malfunctions to last-minute alterations, and I’m here to share what really works!

Most studios will give you some ground rules or colour choices for your particular dance but if you are out there fending for yourself here is some advice.

First things first – let’s remember what lyrical dance is all about. Our kids are out there telling stories through those beautiful, flowing movements, and the last thing we need is a costume fighting against them. I learned this the hard way when my daughter’s first lyrical costume was way too stiff – never again!

Here’s what I’ve discovered really matters:

The One-Piece Wonder Take it from me

One-piece costumes are your best friend for lyrical. My daughter used to wear separate tops and skirts until that one competition where… well, let’s just say the top had its own choreography! Now we stick to leotards with attached skirts or one-piece designs. So much less stress during performance time!

Fabric is Everything Ladies

I cannot stress this enough – lightweight fabrics are worth every penny! I’m talking chiffon, spandex, and jersey materials. Remember when Sarah’s daughter wore that gorgeous but heavy costume last season? Beautiful, yes, but she was exhausted halfway through her routine. We’ve all been there, right?

The Perfect Fit

Here’s my number one mom tip – never, and I mean NEVER, order without trying on or at least taking fresh measurements. My daughter grew two inches between ordering and competition season last year (cue the panic ordering of a new costume three weeks before regionals!). Now I always order with a little room for growth, especially if we’re ordering early in the season.

Making It Special Now

This is where it gets fun! While basic costumes work great, I love adding special touches that make my daughter’s eyes light up. But here’s what experience has taught me – keep those sparkles and sequins secure! I spend at least an hour before competition season checking every rhinestone and securing any loose ones. Nothing worse than leaving a trail of glitter across the stage (though it has made for some funny videos!).

Shopping Smart

Can we talk about costume shopping stress? I’ve learned to start early and look everywhere. Some of our best finds have come from unexpected places! Last season, I found an amazing deal on a high-end costume in a Facebook resale group – half the original price and only worn once! Don’t be afraid to check those resale groups and local dance shops. Sometimes last season’s styles are perfect for this season’s routine. Read our blog here for tips on where to buy and sell.

Here’s my final piece of advice – Feel Confident

Whatever costume you choose, make sure your dancer feels confident in it. I’ll never forget when my daughter tried on her first lyrical costume – the way she twirled in front of the mirror told me everything I needed to know. When they feel beautiful and comfortable, it shows in their performance.

And remember, other dance moms are your best resource! I’ve gotten some of my best costume tips from chatting with other moms during those long competition days. We’re all in this together, trying to help our dancers shine their brightest!

Anyone else have some lyrical costume wisdom to share? Drop me a message – I’m always learning from this amazing dance mom community!

Tips & Tricks, Costumes

How to Sell Used Dancewear Online

My secret weapon for handling those competition fees – reselling dancewear!

Hey there, fellow dance moms! After years of watching my daughter twirl and leap through competitions, I’ve become quite the expert at managing the financial side of dance life. Today, I want to share my secret weapon for handling those competition fees – reselling dancewear! Let me tell you exactly how I turn our gently used dance clothes into cash.

Trust me, I’ve tried every selling platform out there, and I’m going to break down what really works. My absolute favorite spot? Facebook dancewear resale groups. I’m constantly on many of these, and let me tell you, those Tiger Friday, Kandi Kouture, and Five pieces? They sell like hotcakes! Just search “dancewear resale” on Facebook, and you’ll find tons of groups like this. Yes, you’ll need to ship items across the country, but it’s totally worth it.

For those basic pieces we grabbed from Target or Walmart (come on, we all have them!), I head straight to Facebook Marketplace. I’ve learned that bundling these items together really attracts other budget-conscious dance moms. Plus, you can keep it local if you don’t want to deal with shipping.

Now, don’t overlook eBay and Poshmark! I’ve had great luck selling our higher-end pieces there. Sure, it might take a little longer on eBay, but those specific items eventually find their perfect buyer. And Poshmark? Those buyers know what they want and are willing to pay for it – just make sure your descriptions are detailed!

Here’s a mom-to-mom tip: if you’re selling locally, try Nextdoor. People sell plenty of used dance shoes and basic leotards there. The key is pricing them right – these buyers are usually looking for deals.

Oh, and let me share a little secret – Tiger Friday’s (Re)Purpose Program has been a lifesaver! When I’m too busy running between competitions and rehearsals to deal with individual sales, I just send in our old Tiger Friday pieces and get a gift card for new ones. So convenient!

Let’s talk about what to keep and what to sell. Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way: hold onto those solid-colored basics – they never go out of style. Those trendy patterns from last season? List them! If you’ve got younger dancers in the family, maybe keep a few special pieces, but otherwise, be ruthless in your cleanout (except for those competition costumes that hold special memories – I’m not that heartless!).

Want my honest advice about maximizing profit? Save those Facebook groups for your high-end pieces. That’s where other dance moms are hunting for specific brands. For your everyday practice wear, stick to Marketplace. And if you’re sitting on Tiger Friday items you might use again, their (Re)Purpose program is honestly pretty great.

Shipping used to stress me out, but now it’s a breeze! I keep a small scale at home (total game-changer), and I usually charge about $6 for one item, adding a dollar for each additional piece. PayPal makes it super easy – they handle the labels and tracking, which keeps both me and my buyers happy.

So, what are you waiting for? That drawer full of outgrown dancewear could help fund next season’s competition fees! Trust this veteran dance mom – once you start selling, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Have any questions? Drop them in the comments – we dance moms have to stick together!

New Dance Moms, Tips & Tricks

How To Choose The Right Dance Studio For Your Child

How to Choose the Right Dance Studio for Your Child Can be a Mission

Finding the Perfect Dance Studio (From Someone Who’s Been There!)

Listen up, mama! So you’re thinking about getting your little one into dance? Or they have expressed an interest in trying some classes. Yay! But let me tell you – choosing the right studio is EVERYTHING. I’ve been through it all, from forgotten tap shoes to night before rhinestone emergencies, so here’s my real-talk guide on picking the perfect dance home for your baby.

First things first – what gets your kiddo excited? Maybe your daughter was twirling before she could walk or your little one is bouncing off the walls to hip-hop videos on YouTube? Whatever makes them light up – that’s what you want to look for!

Pro tip: find a studio that offers different styles because trust me, they WILL change their minds!

Now, let me spill the tea about what REALLY matters:

The Teachers

Y’all, these people will become your child’s second mamas! Make sure they know their stuff – ask about their background, but more importantly, watch how they interact with the kids. Often you need a SAINT to wrangle all those tiny tots and mini’s, I swear!

The REAL Cost

Okay, we need to have a serious mom-to-mom talk about money. It’s not just monthly tuition (which ain’t cheap!). There’s costumes ($$$), competition fees ($$$$), and don’t even get me started on those emergency tights runs! Make sure you know ALL the costs upfront so you’re not crying into your wine later.

The Time Commitment

Let’s be real – dance becomes YOUR life too! Between regular classes, extra rehearsals, competitions, and recitals, you’re basically going to live in your car. Make sure the studio location and schedule works with your real life (if you still have one, lol!).

The Competition Team

If your little one has stars in their eyes, check out the competition team situation. But WARNING: once you enter the competition world, there’s no going back! It’s like a whole other family – drama and all – but seeing your baby shine on stage makes it ALL worth it!

The VIBE

This is SO important! Pop in during class times. Are the other dance moms friendly? (You’ll be spending A LOT of time with them!) Is there a positive energy? Are the older dancers sweet to the little ones? Our studio feels like home – complete with drama, love, and ALL the glitter!

Do a Trial Run Most studios offer trial classes.

TAKE THEM! See how your kiddo vibes with the teacher and other students. You want to make sure they fit in, feel safe and want to keep going back. It can take time for them to find their groove.

Choosing a studio is like picking a second family. You want somewhere that’ll push your child to be their best but also catch them when they fall (literally and figuratively!). Somewhere that teaches not just dance, but confidence, friendship, and resilience.

And remember – you’re not just choosing a studio, you’re choosing YOUR tribe too! Those night before rhinestone emergencies are a lot more bearable when you’ve got your dance mom squad by your side!

Trust your mama instincts – you’ll know when you’ve found your dance home!

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Equipment, New Dance Moms, Tips & Tricks

Dance Mom Survival Kit

The Ultimate Dance Mom Survival Kit: For Competitions & Recitals

Dance recital and competitions can take dedication, hard work, sometimes a little wine and definitely great organisation. If you’re anything like me, you’re the type who carries a fully stocked bag of supplies—ready for any type of situation. I stick to my tried-and-true essentials and I have put together my list to help you.

Sewing Essentials for Wardrobe/Costume fixes

Needle and Thread: Include white, black, and other common colors, plus threads matching specific costumes that you child is wearing.
Safety Pins: Keep a variety of sizes on hand. You’ll never have too many and make sure they are quality ones that wont come undone.
Scissors: For the cotton, loose threats, opening bags of cookies. You name it, these come in handy.
Double-Sided Tape: A lifesaver for securing costumes and accessories in place, especially if you dont have specific costume glue.
Static Guard Spray: Especially handy for keeping tutus from clinging to tights.
Additional Tools: Pack a pen or marker, measuring tape, fabric glue, a hot glue gun (with glue sticks), self-adhesive Velcro dots and small hair ties or elastics bands.

Hair, Makeup, and Personal Care Must-Haves:

Makeup

Powder to reduce shine and a brush/applicator to put it on
Concealer and blush to brighten faces under stage lights.
Lipstick or gloss in a natural shade to make features stand out, or red for full colour depending on what your studio wear.
Optional: Eye makeup and mascara
False Lashes if required by the studio (usually for older dancers)
Makeup remover wipes.

Hair Tools:

Bobby pins—more than you think you’ll need. Get lots of them.
Hair elastics, neatly organized
Small combs, brushes, and bun makers for quick styling.
Hair nets to secure buns.
Hairspray (we love Got2B and it smells great as well)

Extras:

Clear nail polish for minor snags and nail polish remover.
Tissues, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes.
Lint roller.
Small first aid kit with bandages, pain relievers, and any necessary medications.
Personal items: feminine products, lotion, deodorant, chapstick, and more

Tech and Organization Tools:

Portable Charger or Power Bank: Keep phones and other devices ready.
Detailed Schedule: Print out costume lists, including accessories like gloves or fishnets, and keep copies for everyone involved. Even laminate them if you can.

Most Studios will provide costume checklists for each number with recitals and team competions but you will need to be much more organized if your child does solo competitions.

Snap pictures of these details, print them out, and include them in your kit. Organization is key to managing a busy recital and competition times.

With these essentials in your dance mom survival kit, you’ll be ready for anything. From last-minute costume repairs to quick touch-ups before your dancer’s big moment.

You’ve got this!

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