Dance Families: Balancing Home Life and Training

Raising a competitive Irish Dancer is a juggling act.

Between school, Dance classes , travel for Feises, and the emotional ups and downs of competitive Dancing - it’s no wonder many Dance families feel stretched thin. Add in siblings who don’t dance, your own work schedules, and the general chaos of everyday life… and you’re likely wondering: how do we support our Dancer without Dance taking over our entire family?

You’re not alone and it is possible. At Move With Meg, we believe in supporting the whole Dancer and the whole family. That includes creating balance, focusing on joy, and making sure no one in the house feels left behind.

Let’s break it down.

Why Balance Matters (For Everyone)

When Dance becomes the only thing that matters, it can create pressure for your Dancer and the whole family.

• Your Dancer may start to feel like their worth depends on results.
  
  
• You, as a parent, might feel torn between giving your all and feeling guilty for not doing more.
  
  
• Siblings may quietly feel pushed aside or resentful, even if they love cheering at Feises.
  
  
• Family time becomes centred around training and travel rather than connection.
  
  

That’s why balance isn’t just about managing time - it’s about managing energy, expectations, and emotions as a family.

Understand the Dancer Brain

Children and Teenagers are still developing emotionally, mentally, and physically. They might say they want to train 7 days a week, but that doesn’t always mean it’s healthy or sustainable.

As a parent, your role isn’t just a cheerleader or chauffeur. You’re their anchor. When they’re deep in comparison, disappointment, or overwhelm, they need your help zooming out and reconnecting with who they are outside of Dance. 

Balance means helping your Dancer love what they do without letting it define who they are.

Practical Tips for Balancing Home, Training, and Everything Else

1. Create a Weekly Family Rhythm

Set clear times for training, family meals, rest, and fun. When your Dancer knows what’s coming, they’re more likely to give 100% at the right time and switch off when needed.

We recommend having a weekly family check-in where each person (Dancer included!) shares their priorities. This helps everyone feel heard and included.

2. Watch Out For Burnout

You don’t need to say yes to every class, workshop, Feis or extra training opportunity. Sometimes, saying no is the most supportive thing you can do, especially when you can notice your Dancer burning out. Prioritise quality over quantity.

3. Celebrate All Wins - Not Just the Dance Ones

Highlight achievements at school, acts of kindness, or resilience outside of the Dance studio. This helps your child see their value in all areas of life. By talking about their value away from the Dance studio, this helps them to have a more balanced self-identity, which can help Dancers deal with injuries and their eventual retirement from competitive or professional Dancing.

4. Include Siblings in a Way That Works for Them

Not every child wants to be dragged to every Feis. Consider letting them stay with grandparents, have their own "special day" with a parent, or be involved in ways that feel fun (e.g. helping with hair and makeup or picking an activity they want to do after the Feis).

5. Model Rest and Boundaries

Your Dancer watches everything. If you never pause, burn out, or say yes to everything, they’ll learn to do the same. Show them that rest is productive, boundaries are healthy, and family doesn’t revolve around results.

🤝 The Power of Community

At Move With Meg, we talk a lot about community, because no one thrives in isolation.

Balancing family and training becomes so much easier when you’re surrounded by other Dance families who get it. Community means swapping tips, sharing lifts, venting about tricky Feis days, and reminding each other: you’re doing your best and that’s more than enough.

If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out for skipping a session to prioritise a birthday meal, or for choosing one Feis over another to protect your family time… know this:

You are not alone and you’re not getting it “wrong.”

You’re raising a whole human, not just a Dancer and your family’s health, joy, and connection matters.

You can connect with other Dance families from all over the world in our parents Facebook Group - MWM Reel Talk.

Every family’s balance looks a little different and that’s okay. What’s most important is that you’re conscious of the dynamic, curious about what works, and committed to adjusting when things feel off.

We’re here for all of it: the growth spurts, the travel chaos, the moments of doubt, and the celebrations that go way beyond medals.

If you ever need support, encouragement, or just a reminder that your efforts are making a difference, you know where to find us.

We’re in this with you. One full at a time. One Feis weekend at a time. One Dance family at a time.