Why I Choose To Be A Dance Mom

This is something I’ve been wanting to do for a really long time...

My name is Sarah Schneeweis. 

I’m 43, married to an amazing man and together we have a blended family with 6 kids— I have 3 and he has 3. We love our crew of 8! With both of us working, you could say that we have our hands full. 

I’ve been a dancer my whole life: a studio kid, a convention kid, an NBA dancer, choreographer for the NBA and NFL, dance studio owner, dance teacher, dance educator for teachers, national and international dance judge, dance brand manager— the list goes on. You name it, I’ve done it. And I’m still learning more every day.

I love this world of dance and I am so grateful I get to do what I love every single day. I’m hitting quite a lot of angles here in the dance world, and because of my time wearing all these hats, I have a unique perspective. So, I’m here to start a conversation, and a connection. I don’t know everything by any means… but I just want to open up, share, discuss and discover the positive sides of DANCE and PARENTING. Raising a child in dance can be all things wonderful, as well as confusing and challenging— just like any sport a child might be a part of. I want to talk about it all.

One thing I’d really like to do... celebrate the meaning of what two simple words can have: DANCE MOM. 

I want to celebrate those parents out there who are doing their kid right through this dance journey! Those moms that are letting their child have this incredible experience of their own, and supporting them through all of it. We’ve all heard the negative connotation sometimes used when the words “dance” and “mom” are spoken in the same sentence. And we’ve all heard the “dance-mom-drama” a time or two. But I just want to scream, “wait no!…dance moms can be awesome!”

Are there people at every single studio across the country who are giving us a bad name? Sure. Usually one out of a hundred. But there are also so many positive dance moms out there! So, 1 versus 99? As a studio owner, I’ve learned that I can’t put all my energy into the 1% bringing us down, and that I’ve got to put it into the other 99% that are creating good. I know so many incredible dance moms.

“I want to celebrate those parents out there who are doing their kids right through this dance journey.”

Here we are, in the middle of a pandemic, and everything has changed. As parents we are now balancing new things, making new adjustments, working with new schedules. For most of our kids that includes online dance classes and a season left with no in-person conventions or competitions. Watching them go through disappointment is hard, but we continue to support what they love to do through all of this. And even though it may feel like time lost in studio training, I actually think this is going to make them stronger. Physically and mentally. They’ll come out hungry. Their character and perseverance will shine even brighter than before.

Although I am totally guilty of forgetting to pack my kids’ jazz shoes every now and then, I really love being a dance mom. Just like so many moms out there going through this dance experience with their child, we aren’t perfect. No need to be. What we are is supporting and loving. We are endlessly devoted to being there with costumes, hairspray and a checkbook in hand.  We are forever willing to be the smile and hug they need when they get off stage. We are the POSITIVE dance moms! So, let’s talk about that. 

Let’s share, discuss and discover. Together!