😫 What Dance Parents Are REALLY Feeling This Month

INSIDE:

1. THE REALITY CHECK: Why Dance Choices Feel Different Now

2. THE “I NEEDED THAT” STORY OF THE WEEK

3. POWER UP: Your Influence Is Bigger Than Their Budget

4. THE HOT TAKE: Should Dance Training Shift When Money Gets Tight?

5. 5 HELPFUL MOVES FOR DECEMBER

Teachers… December is no joke.

Bills stack up. Groceries cost more than concert tickets. Kids are off school soon. Families are stretched thin and trying to breathe through the holiday chaos!

Interest rates haven’t climbed again, but parents keep saying it still feels like they did. Meanwhile, inflation is the Grinch sneaking into every shopping cart. No wonder dance decisions feel heavier for families than a full comp schedule.

Here’s what’s going on and how we can respond with leadership that actually helps.

THE REALITY CHECK: Why Dance Choices Feel Different Now

Parents aren’t reacting to a new financial crisis. They’re reacting to a long one.
The pressure from past rate hikes hasn’t faded, and the cost of everything from groceries to mortgages is still rising.

Add holiday spending on top, and families are choosing every activity with extra caution.

Understanding this lets you meet families with empathy instead of frustration. It’s not lack of commitment. It’s survival mode.

THE “I NEEDED THAT” STORY OF THE WEEK

A mom told me grocery shopping feels like being in a dance battle she didn’t sign up for. She walks in confident, ready, pumped. Then the receipt snatches her wig off and she walks out whispering “How much were strawberries again!?”

Another joked her kid needs snacks for dance, but she needs a financial planner for the snack aisle. 😂

Parents are trying! Humour helps them cope. And we can help too.

THE POWER UP: Your Influence Is Bigger Than Their Budget

This is where YOU shine!

Kids need consistency.
Parents need reassurance.
Studios need leaders who understand people, not just policies.

Your words can keep a dancer from quitting. I know you know this.
Your flexibility can keep a family involved.
Your encouragement can be the anchor in a stressful season.

THE HOT TAKE: Should Dance Training Shift When Money Gets Tight?

Some teachers insist the program must stay the same. Others say flexibility keeps more kids learning.

Here’s the real debate starter:
Is it better to lose dancers completely or adjust the path so they can stay connected?

Think about it. Then reply and tell me your stance?

5 HELPFUL MOVES FOR DECEMBER

1. Offer shorter sessions or winter mini-programs

2. Celebrate dancers who stay in even one weekly class

3. Keep your tone steady and supportive

4. Highlight emotional value instead of financial cost

5. Reach out privately to families who seem unsure

If you want me to help you design flexible winter options that still support your business, DM me. And if you want to learn how AI can save you time during the busiest month of the year, reply CLASS and I’ll send you details!

Talk soon,
Shawn B

💥 Resource: Secrets To Make Your Students Pay Attention

If you haven’t downloaded your Dance Teacher Playbook, learn more and grab it here:
👉 Dance Teacher Playbook - Expert Training To Elevate Your Classes

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