Dance Moms

Set in Pittsburg, PA, Dance Moms is a television show that airs on Lifetime Network Tuesday nights at 8:00 central time. Local mothers apply their daughters for a spot in the Abby Lee Dance Company as young as five and six years old. Because of the extensive work and exclusivity of the dance company, mothers dream of the chance to make their daughters dance stars. After one season of avoiding what appeared to be a disgrace of a television show, I finally gave in and watched an episode with my roommates.

Abbey Lee Miller is the owner and director of the Abby Lee Dance Company. Running a very strict and exclusive dance company, Miller, and the company, has become one of the most sought after dance institutions in the United States, and especially in Pennsylvania. As understood from the title, this show is not about the dancing or the company, but instead it revolves around the mothers. What sells television more than drama and competition? Nothing, and this is why Dance Moms has become one of Lifetime's highest rated television series.

Growing up a dancer myself, I enjoyed watching the routines and competitions of these young girls. The dance aspect is what initially caught my attention. This show not only broadcasts Miller's company but also contains segments of the competition's routines. What also surprised me is how this show seems to not affect the bias of the judges involved in the weekly competitions.

Although I enjoy the dance aspect, the drama involved with a little girl's dancing blows my mind. Who knew that mothers could stoop as low as caring if their daughter is the point of a formation? I had always heard of parents living vicariously through their children's lives, but this show takes that theory to a whole new level.

If the drama between the mothers, or between mother and instructor, could be taken out of the production, I think this show could emit a more positive light. Maybe I am biased because of the way I was raised, but I hope I never act the way these mothers act about my child's hobby. Little girls dancing as young as age five, in little to no clothing, and discussing their future "stardom" rubs me the wrong way. Dancing is a great hobby for little girls. Making dance a career before they hit double digits, no thank you.

For those viewers out there who enjoy the ins and out of drama, this show is waiting for you to sink your teeth into it. For those who are baffled by selfish parenting, this show is nowhere close to entertainment. I watched Dance Moms for two consecutive episodes, and do not think I will waste time watching it again. It is a mindless show. One thing I did seem to learn from my experience of watching Dance Moms is how I feel like I know what I will and will not do as a parent.

I had the opportunity to work with professional dancers/teachers for 2 years and they were great. Don't see how this so called teacher can give advise when she can't even perform the steps herself. Total disgrace to the teaching profession.

Never have I watched anyone on TV and just , dislike is not a strong enough word. This fat slug of a woman, who makes such a point of showing her love for her favorites, is just so disgusting. She abuses the children, verbally, emotionally and mentally. Should NOT be allowed on TV. WHY does she put children down so much. Any time that Maddie and Chloe did a duet it placed first. But she still has to humiliate Chloe HER own dancer, by putting her further down each week. Now she has Maddie turning against the other children as well. I am glad Kelly is gone, I wish she could have really hit that mean horrible woman. And I am very overweight, but I am a nice person. Abby has a beautiful face, but she is so ugly inside and gets more so all the time. HATE THIS WOMAN. STOP WATCHING this show!!!!

Abby has pushed some of these girls emotions to the brink of breaking. Like with Chloe. How could someone even call a child WASHED UP and constantly berate the girl for things? She's always compared to Maddie and when Chloe beat Kendall i believe? instead of being happy for Chloe, Abby throws a hissy fit and called the girl washed up and even told Christi that her daughter SUCKED!! how DARE she? how could a human being do that!? instead of praising Chloe and being happy for her, she has to go and do that. i don't blame that girl one bit for having enough.I congratulate Christi for pulling Chloe out. enoughs enough with the verbal and emotional abuse because frankly thats what it appears to be from my perspective.

I would never subject my child to someone that teaches like that. each girl is amazing and talented. Abby just fails to point that out instead points out the more negative things and compares them to someone else entirely. but what Maddie doesn't realize is there is always someone better than she is out there. its just how the universe works. maybe Abby should try using some positive praise and not make these girls feel like crap.

OK, I admit it, I spent a rainy day watching this show. I kept watching hoping I would see something positive, but alas, I saw abusive behavior aimed at children, with their parents approval and of course tacit public approval based on the fact that the show has been renewed for more than one season.

I find it especially sad that a TV channel like Lifetime, that claims to be "Television for Women" would produce a show that shows continual verbal, emotional and possibly physical abuse of young girls.

The fact that no one from any sort of Child Protect services has never investigated this woman amazes me.

The moms are worse, as they allow it to happen. Not only to they allow it, but they run back begging for more. And they have the most inappropriate conversations in front of those kids.

If anyone has children or has an interest in advocating for children they should avoid this show.