This blog was written with love from Miss Leanne

It’s a funny old world at the moment, isn’t it? And I don’t mean that in the comical sense. In the UK we find ourselves in our 12^th week of lockdown and, even though the rules have been relaxed a little, these are really challenging times for everyone!

Parents are juggling A LOT. Home schooling, working from home, working in the evening when the little ones are in bed; or, not working, but still losing track of time and forgetting what day it is. Not to mention, caring for other family members, delivering bags of shopping without being able to enter their houses. Then there’s business owners like myself, worried for the future of the companies that they have put so much time and love into. I think it is fair to say that all of us, no matter what your situation, are having to wear many hats – even more than usual!

But what about the children? How are they feeling?

In a matter of days, their little worlds were also turned upside down. Schools and nurseries closed; they couldn’t go to the playground anymore; extended family were suddenly not allowed to visit and if they do, it must be from a distance? They see their little friends only through a video call and all of their ‘normal’ weekly activities cancelled, and for how long? Not to mention routine … what’s that?

So, what is the new normal? Well the new normal is whatever works for you! But employing small elements of that ‘old’ routine can be a really big help. Like the continuity of your child’s babyballet® class for example. Up and down the country babyballet® teachers are working from home every day to bring your little ones their same loved classes. It might be through a screen (and with a wooden spoon instead of a wand) but in this new world, a little bit of that normality is just what we all need.

Even for me as a babyballet® teacher, I look forward the days when I get to put on my uniform, go live online and teach the classes that I love so much. Reading from my register and knowing those little eyes are watching me intently while I dance, fills me with so much joy! It reminds me that there is still a whole world outside my 4 walls. Knowing that even through these tough times I can still bring magic and endless smiles to my babyballet® stars, all whilst teaching them the same skills we would learn in class, is just so heart-warming for me.

For you parents, trying to keep pre-schoolers entertained 24/7 is no mean feat! And despite spending all our days together, does anyone else get hit with the mum guilt for not spending QUALITY time together?

Let us help. Take some time out, forget about the stress of life, home schooling and worries of the day. Put down your phone or laptop, put down the load of dirty washing and switch off your busy head. Come and join us and spend 30 minutes of quality time with your little one, just DANCING! Everyone knows that dancing is good for the soul and where better to dance than your own front room? You can even close the blinds if you need to!  Not only is it lots of fun, it gives you a chance to relax and enjoy, knowing that your little one is getting your full attention, learning new skills and being active.

At the moment, no one knows how long this will be our new normal. Although we can’t wait for the day that we can skip back to class and see all our babyballet stars again, until then, we’ll be here, on your screens, helping spread as much magic and normality as we can to all our babyballet families.

There is still time to come and dance with us online as we dance through the Summer! With themed activity classes, entertainment and more, there has never been a better time to start your babyballet® journey with us. Simply click here to find your nearest class and book into our online term.