• START HERE!
    • ABOUT CARLY
    • CONTACT
  • FASHION
  • BODY POSITIVITY
  • GIRL POWER
  • SD LIFE
  • DISNEY
  • SHOP MY INSTAGRAM
  • SHOP MY FAVES

Lipgloss and Crayons

Girl Power

What I Want Dance to Teach My Daughter About Body Confidence

Here we go, I'm talking dance class.  From toddler dancewear to my thoughts about how ballet can teach positive body image……I'm spilling my guts about becoming a dance mom.

This post is brought to you by CJ Affiliate’s VIP Content Service. Thank you Kmart for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Kmart, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Let's talk toddler dancewear.  From leotards to tights.....we've got some of the best!

It's Back to School season.  And besides starting SCHOOL, fall is the time when kids usually try new after school activities.  In fact, I’ve been prepping for the last few weeks for all of the new activities we want to try.  From soccer to karate to ballet….I think I bought out the kids' activewear department at Kmart (good thing they’re having a KILLER sale)!  Lydia has been BEGGING to try dance class for months, and I've been dragging my feet.  Now, before you judge ME….let me tell you why.  I took dance classes from age three until I was 18 years old.  My sister is an amazingly talented dancer who majored in dance performance in college and is now a ballet teacher at the dance school we attended growing up. I love dance.  I took ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap as a child.  

But the flip side of dance? I worry about the need for girls and women to fit inside a body image box.  Let's be honest, in MOST scenarios dancers are expected to be extremely small.  And if you're not? It can be a pretty cruel world.  Having experienced some of that myself, and having seen the damage it did in many people around me……I have some pretty serious concerns about Lydia starting dance.  To be fair, that's a pretty long way away from three year olds running around in tutus…..but I want to be sure that we are doing our BEST to raise Lydia to chase her passions AND to feel confident.

This toddler leotard is just ADORABLE! Shop our Outfits:

Carly: / shirt / leggings /
Lydia: / leotard /
pictures by Maile Mason

I love this simple black leotard, it's perfect for toddler ballet classes! After a LOT of research, we picked a ballet school close to our house….and Lydia had a trial class last week.  She LOVED it, and so did I.  Let me tell you why……the dance teacher? Did a number of things during class that I respect, admire, and will be mirroring at home.  I think that they instill confidence in her students, and encourage them to enjoy the art of dance without any pressure.

  1. She talked about the ENJOYMENT instead of the execution.  Instead of focusing on whether each student performed a perfect plie, the teacher commented with statements like…..”I loved seeing you smile while you did your plies!” and “Wow, that seemed way easier than last week! Aren't you PROUD of yourself?”  I loved seeing her focus on the feelings and confidence that dance class can build.
  2. She discussed our bodies as a tool and a machine rather than a way to achieve perfection.  She told the students that machines need fuel, rest, relaxation, and practice.  She discussed that learning new moves could be hard, and that was OK.  I loved it!
  3. She encouraged each child to bow and accept applause.  It's HARD to accept compliments as adults right? It's part of the insecurities we've all learned over the years.  Multiple times in class, the teacher asked each student to take a bow and the other students to applaud their efforts.

Let's talk toddler dancewear.  From leotards to tights.....we've got some of the best!So the verdict? We'd better buy some more toddler dancewear…..we're hooked.  This confident, happy toddler (and confident, happy mom) will be back……we're officially signed up for dance classes this fall!
Let's talk toddler dancewear.  From leotards to tights.....we've got some of the best!
Is your family starting new after school activities this year? If so, KMART has some killer prices on activewear for the whole family.  We got Lydia's entire toddler dancewear collection (along with some great workout gear for me) for a STEAL!

Shop the Activewear Sale Through 8/26 HERELet's talk toddler dancewear.  From leotards to tights.....we've got some of the best! Toddler Ballet Class: From toddler dancewear to that first recital....how it can teach your daughter to have a healthy body image.

0 Leave a Comment

Subscribe to L&C Weekly!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Previous Why I Work Out (spoiler alert…it’s not to lose weight)
Next Ultimate Guide to Fall Looks For a Pear Shape Body

Related Posts

Positive Affirmations for Kids

Tips for Small Business Owners from Joy Mangano

Girl Power: Why Every Girl Should Play Soccer

7 Tips For Improving Self Confidence In Our Daughters...

Primary Sidebar

Search

NEW? START HERE

DISCLAIMER

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Five years ago. This exact place. Robbie had jus Five years ago.  This exact place.  Robbie had just finished two years of grad school.  And it had been a long, tough two years.  That year involved one major teacher strike in my district, many many many jobs and gigs for both of us, minimal time off together, a whole lot of unknowns and a whole lot of stress.The Disney and Aulani team probably had no idea that they were giving us the gift of much needed peaceful time together when they invited us on a trip to this magical place.  A trip that….to be honest, was beyond our means at the time.  We cherished every moment. A lot has happened since then.  A move, buying a house, seeing those years of hard work pay off.  And now….we did it.  We’re back.  Lazy river here we come. TLDR? If you’re in the thick of it, I see you.  We’ve been there. Family, Welcome Home……we did it.  Aulani for the week.
Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled Now, if I’m being totally honest…..this pulled muscle? I should have known better.  When training for my race, I didn’t stretch or warm up enough most days and….here we are.Lesson learned.  I’m 4 weeks post race (do not recommend running a 10k on a pulled muscle) and I’m……almost better.  I’m learning to stretch and walk and to take better care of myself so that I can start running again REALLY soon (we’re almost there I think).For now? I’m doing recovery walks and trying to strengthen my leg.  And trying to make sure I get enough protein.  When I talked about Built Bars on my stories, a LOTTTTT of you raced about their Puffs.  Yup, I get it.  They’re AMAZING.  I’ve been bringing them along on my walks (and gluten free friends….they have some great options for us).Have you ever pulled a muscle? What was recovery like for you?#youGOTTAtrythis #BUILTProtein #BUILT #BUILTbar partner
💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zo 💕Double Tap when you see who we found at the zoo (and swipe to the end for a close up)⠀⠀🌴Coming to San Diego for Spring Break or a Summer Vacation?⠀⠀📍Let’s talk San Diego Zoo (and yes, I got off a plane yesterday, picked up Lydia and we spent the afternoon at the zoo…..it was LOVELY).⠀⠀A few things to help you plan visits to San Diego and the Zoo:⠀1️⃣ the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are NOT close together.  The Zoo is close to downtown, the Safari Park is about 25 miles north.  I’d suggest one day at each.  They’re totally unique and both worth a visit.  The Safari Park is smaller, but has REALLY unique exhibits (Walkabout Australia is my favorite).⠀2️⃣ both have some really fun and unique dining experiences that you can reserve in advance: Albert’s at the Zoo is a FANCY and fun sit down option, and The Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook at the Safari Park is great for happy hour or a fun lunch ⠀3️⃣ there are great kids play areas at both locations, the Wildlife Explorers Base Camp area at the San Diego Zoo is brand new and absolutely amazing⠀⠀✨ Now, a bonus tip.  Undercover Tourist now has NATIONWIDE savings on over 500 attractions in 50 cities and up to 25% on tickets for theme parks, zoo, museums, aquariums, city tours, water parks, and movie tickets. And the deals they have for San Diego?  AMAZING (I’m sharing details in my stories).⠀⠀@themeparkfrog #UncoverSavingsNationwide #ad
In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the b In high school, I wasn’t supposed to cross the bridge without permission.⠀⠀I grew up about 20 minutes from San Francisco, on the OTHER side of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Yes, you know that opening scene in Full House where they’re driving across the bridge? I was on the other side of that.  And one of MOST parents’ rules where I grew up? No going into the city without permission.  Sorry mom and dad, it’s been long enough…..now I can disclose that we broke that rule constantly.⠀⠀San Francisco is my favorite city.  It’s intimate and moody and filled with history and some of the best food in the world.  It reminds me of childhood trips to the zoo and Golden Gate Park, it reminds me of my first apartment after college and my first serious relationship.  It reminds me of 22 year old carefree nights with friends and milkshakes at Mels in high school and coffee in North Beach and nights in the Marin Headlands (the closest we were supposed to get to the bridge).⠀⠀So when I had the opportunity to spend 20 hours in my city by the Bay? I took it.⠀⠀Photo Diary:⠀1) nothing like a hotel room to yourself ⠀2) basically drove through a monsoon in San Diego yesterday to make it to the airport⠀3) through the fog? You can see the Golden Gate Bridge⠀4) SFO ⠀5) drove right through North Beach where my mom lived until she was 2, and texted her this photo of a church where she remembers going to weddings as a child⠀6) dinner with Dove, talking about the importance of diversity and representation in gaming avatars ⠀7 and 8) anyone else got a roblox fan in their house? Dove is changing the game (pun intended) and we love to see it.⠀⠀Have you been to San Francisco?
Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer Are you a road trip or a fly in the sky vacationer? What’s your ideal?⠀Figured this was a good day to ask since….I’m boarding a plane this morning for a VERY quick trip.⠀❤️Over on stories, we are playing this or that. We’re making this a regular little weekly coffee chat.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀☕️So, five of you will get a coffee on me.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Want to join in?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀1) like this post⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀2) answer the polls in stories⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀3) tag a friend in comments, or tell me what your ideal vacation looks like, and how you’d get there!
  • Collaborate
  • Speaking
  • Contact Carly
  • PRESS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fashion
  • Body Positivity
  • Girl Power
  • SD Life
  • Disney
  • Travel
  • Highlights

© 2019 LIPGLOSS AND CRAYONS  |  SITE DESIGN: MLL DESIGN STUDIO  & FUZE BRANDING