My Son Takes Ballet and is Nervous about Wearing Tights

[Anonymous]

For Thanksgiving, my son and I went to the house of another boy from his ballet class. Both boys are 8 and met when DS started taking ballet in September. My son loves to dance and is excited about the upcoming Christmas recital next month but is embarrassed because he will be wearing tights for the first time in public.

The friend is lucky to go to a private school where he is not mocked for his dancing. The friend's mom was incredibly nice to us and seemed to understand my son's situation. Before the turkey dinner she told us, “I can understand not wanting to be teased but you shouldn’t let that influence everything you do.”

Her son has been taking ballet since he was 5 and has an almost terrifyingly slick show-biz professionalism. The friend likes that the costume for the recital is purple tights (not as revealing as white tights!!!).

I'd love to hear what other people think. I would allow my son to quit ballet if he really wanted to. But I think he will overcome his fear and awkwardness of being on stage in tights. Am I right? And having this new friend will hopefully give him more confidence.

[Anonymous]

Have the boys he's worried about teasing him for wearing tights seen him do ballet/teased him before for doing ballet?

You mention the school his friend is in being more open so I figured you mean he's worried about being teased for the tights vs wearing the tights in general. If it is just nerves about wearing the tights in general, he will get over it when the show starts. I did a sport where the uniform wad generally tight and not flattering (crew) so I totally get that awkwardness. He can wear shorts up to the performance and then put them rigjt back on.

[Anonymous]

Do they have any kind, older male ballet students who can talk to him about it!

[Anonymous]

Can he wear a shirt slightly longer so that his privates are covered? Sometimes you're allowed to alter the costumes for recitals.

[Anonymous]

Our ballet studio has boys wearing looser pants for recitals.

[Anonymous]

Welcome to the world of a "dance belt"

Lord.

Take some time and talk tot he other parents and teachers at the dance school so that you can properly prepare your son for the dance world, please.

It's part of your job. And if you actually HELP prepare him and equip him
Properly, he can continue to dance without embarrassment.

[Anonymous]

My son is now in college and his ballet years are behind him, but none of it ever bothered him. He didn't talk about it in school much, and the people he surrounded himself with at school never commented on it, even though they were more into ice hockey, etc. It depends on the composition of his class every year, but I think it's a good opportunity to practice gauging people, and choosing who to trust with what information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
My son is now in college and his ballet years are behind him, but none of it ever bothered him. He didn't talk about it in school much, and the people he surrounded himself with at school never commented on it, even though they were more into ice hockey, etc. It depends on the composition of his class every year, but I think it's a good opportunity to practice gauging people, and choosing who to trust with what information.

NP. PP, did he stop when he went to college or before? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
My son is now in college and his ballet years are behind him, but none of it ever bothered him. He didn't talk about it in school much, and the people he surrounded himself with at school never commented on it, even though they were more into ice hockey, etc. It depends on the composition of his class every year, but I think it's a good opportunity to practice gauging people, and choosing who to trust with what information.

NP. PP, did he stop when he went to college or before? Thanks.

Before. High school was a challenge, and he chose to focus on academics.

[Anonymous]

Did he not know this before he signed up? Has he never seen a male do ballet before?

[Anonymous]

Longer shirt and possibly a sports jock cup so everything isnt visible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Welcome to the world of a "dance belt"

Lord.

Take some time and talk tot he other parents and teachers at the dance school so that you can properly prepare your son for the dance world, please.

It's part of your job. And if you actually HELP prepare him and equip him
Properly, he can continue to dance without embarrassment.

I hope the people you suggested she talk to don't speak to her like you just did.

Lord.

[Anonymous]

My son was an acrobat for many years. They also wear tights. He was never bothered. He did wear a fitted sweatsuit over it when he wasn’t performing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can he wear a shirt slightly longer so that his privates are covered? Sometimes you're allowed to alter the costumes for recitals.

Uh ... no. That is not at all true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Longer shirt and possibly a sports jock cup so everything isnt visible

For an 8 year old? Lolz