Comments on: Lying to My Kid

By: Empress Katie

Empress Katie — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:51:02 +0000

Erin recommends Butterfly pick up soccer or tennis. Or perhaps football.

By: Carmen

Carmen — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:43:57 +0000

FYI, here’s the Youtube link to watch the performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opxG3jWh38A

By: Carmen

Carmen — Wed, 20 May 2009 05:38:16 +0000

I took ballet and tap classes when I was Butterfly’s age, and now I feel like an old, gaped- mouth fart watching these young girls too. What really shakes me, aside from the change in dance over the years, is how a majority of young ladies are dressing in general. When Kelley and I were growing up in the early-to-mid 90s, it was all about Duckhead shorts, designer jeans, Keds, and stuff like that. I actually feel embarassed looking at tweens and teens wearing skin tight jeans, halter tops, and pants with “Juicy” or “Hot” or “Bitch” written across the butt. *cringe* Even though our son is only 3, we are heavily involved in rearing him and sending him the right message from the start; the same will go if we are blessed with another child in the future. It’s all about the parenting!!! Kudos to you and Kel for planning to tell Butterfly she can’t take Lapdancing 101.

By: Meyer

Meyer — Tue, 19 May 2009 01:23:48 +0000

John, Mike’s sister has gone through 15 years of dance and has always managed to stay a ballerina, the key is to find the ballet classes not the “hip hop” (because it is not the hip hop of the 80s, the hips now hop up and down on other people’s laps) or “jazz”. And if you are lucky and they become as obsessed with dance as Heather the girls will not go out on dates until they are 20.

By: Empress Katie

Empress Katie — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:49:45 +0000

You can’t lose with clogging or step dancing. Those hardly even involve arms, much less hips, butts, and pouty lips.

By: Alana

Alana — Mon, 18 May 2009 22:30:19 +0000

I was a dancer in a ballet company for years and quitting was my only big regret in life. Even with a dance background, though, I think certain types of dance belong in Adultland, and even then only then for the purposes of artistic expression. I didn’t see the dance you saw, but I can imagine. If your girls show a real interest in dance, there are companies and teachers out there who will teach them traditional ballet or jazz or more age-appropriate modern dance. Dance isn’t dead. It’s just that some people get a little confused about what it’s all about.

By: JPLand

JPLand — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:46:33 +0000

Here’s the story that Queen Mum is referring to:
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/01/29/jonesboro0129.html

And here’s the tail-end of another story from the AJC on the matter:

“I think they have blown it way out of proportion,” the mother said. “As far as the outfits, I made sure she was covered. I made sure she would still be respected.”

The mother said she attended the majority of the practices and did not find anything inappropriate. The mother said the boys had rehearsed with the team and knew they were not supposed to touch the girls.

Exia Bryant, 16, said does not regret the dance, but is tired of people at school calling her a slut, ho and stripper.

“Eight girls went out and did something we love to do and had fun,” the junior said. “I knew who I am before I did the dance and I know who I am now. I will keep dancing and keep my head up.”

By: Queen Mother

Queen Mother — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:37:27 +0000

I am thrilled that my daughter and son-in-law had the same thoughts I had. Recently a dance group at a high school basketball game in Dekalb county performed a similar routine to the girls yesterday. (I saw the video on the news) The only difference was that the high school group pulled boys from the crowd to sit in the chairs. I refuse to believe that you can’t dance without implying that you want to have sex with someone.