Dance Moms

[carnation]

One of my daughters and I watched several episodes of this a few nights ago. I was horrified! The director verbally and emotionally abuses these kids 24/7 and their moms take it (and her nasty treatment of them), I suppose, because the get to be on TV.These kids are gonna end up as basket cases.

The new season started last night but I could not watch it. Too much cruelty.

[summer_gphib]

I watched the first two episodes when it first came on, and I was horrified. These children are being abused and demeaned. If the parents were speaking to them in this way they would be yanked out of the household. I'm shocked that someone hasn't stepped in to stop this insanity. In my opinion the "instructor" belongs in jail for psychological and emotional abuse.

[AlphaFrog]

She belongs at a Weight Watchers meeting, not on Lifetime screaming at little girls. I normally would not go there with the weight issue, but if she is going to be so critical, maybe she ought to take a look in the mirror.

[Jen]

I can't decide if I hate Abby Lee or the mom's more. They're all horrific human beings with kids who'll need lots of therapy.

[carnation]

I hate Abby for her cruelty. I hate the moms for subjecting their daughters to it.

[ColdInCanada11]

My dance teachers weren't *quite* that bad, but most dance teachers are fairly critical. I've definitely seen teachers far worse than her at competitions. This brings me back to my childhood. However, I don't think that you can determine if a dancer is going to be a professional by the age of 9

[carnation]

The difference as I see it: you can criticize without insulting the dancer. Saying, "You need to do this in your tour jete," or, "Pull your hips to the left!" gets the point across. You don't need to say, "You stupid kid, you look like a hippo when you do that."

[ColdInCanada11]

I think it really depends on what generation of dancers your teacher is from. That's what confuses me- Abby sounds like dance teachers who are in their seventies and eighties.

[knight_shadow]

I saw a commercial with the main instructor (I guess?) screaming at children and parents. I refused to watch after that. Seemed like it'd be too messy.

[princessamy]

I watched a few episodes and felt like I needed to see a therapist after that. The moms are crazy for taking her attitude though.Poor kids. Sadly its the instructors like those that will make kids hate something that they are supposed to love.

[Jen]

There was one episode with a mom who was yelling at Abby, and Abby called the cops - but when she did it, she went INTO the studio where the students were so the whole thing was done in front of the kids she was apparently so worried about. If she was concerned, she would've taken her ass as far away from them as possible. She's a camera whore of the highest degree. I wonder if this show has set her business back at all, because to me it doesn't look like a shining endorsement.

[tinydancer]

I wonder if there aren't other good dance schools in the area. Don't understand why the moms don't just take their daughters and their money elsewhere. I certainly would.

[ColdInCanada11]

According to what the moms say on the show, Abby produces more professional dancers (though if this is true I have no clue).

[BetteDavisEyes]

Originally Posted by carnation

I hate Abby for her cruelty. I hate the moms for subjecting their daughters to it.

This. I watched the Season 1 marathon yesterday and then the premiere. I was truly horrified at how cruel & basically a bitch Abby is to the kids and to the moms. She's yelling at little Mackenzie for crying. HELLO! The little girl is 6 years old. Of course she's going to cry.

The moms stand up to her but they always end up backing down which is really irritating.

I want to one day put my little girl in dance but I would NEVER allow someone to be so cruel and hurtful to my daughter. There will be hell to pay if someone said such nasty things to my child.

[Senusret I]

I love the show.