So, awhile back I wrote a tongue-in-cheek post about "Poopsie" the wonder-student, from the perspective of her mother, Momzilla. The link is below.
www.dance.net . . .
Well, now I'm REALLY in a pickle, because not only does my DD have a "Poopsie" in her class, this "Poopsie" is the S.O.'s only daughter! This little princess (age 13) is loud, obnoxious, complains and whines in class, corrects other students in class (only the ones she doesn't like), and if something is happening that isn't to her liking, will burst into tears and run from the room. The SO teaches this class, and firmly believes that her daughter walks on water. Though there are other girls with stronger technique and better form, "Poopsie" gets solo spots in every recital/performance, and often is listed as "choreographer" so she can choose who dances with her in group numbers.
I heard S.O. explaining to one of the other moms after a competition recently (where her daughter threw a fit, crying and complaining because she didn't place well) that her baby girl is too often misunderstood, that people sometimes view her a a spoiled brat, but that it's just that she's a highly sensitive creative genius. Really.
To make matters worse, "Poopsie" has taken a specific dislike to my DD. My DD is a pretty quiet kid, a year older than Poopsie, works hard, doesn't complain, has done quite well at comps lately, (much better than Poopsie, in fact) but never rubs anyone else's face in it.
Poopsie is not happy. Poopsie and her cohorts in class treat DD accordingly. DD is ignored by SO when SO is teaching (or chastised if Poopsie says anything about DD's dancing, position, breathing, or general presence in the room), and though SO has many glowing, positive things to say to Poopsie and her minions, never seems to have anything positive to say to DD.
I have tried to approach S.O. diplomatically - talked to her privately, explained that DD is feeling kind of out of things, could use a bit of positive reinforcement, didn't accuse SO or Poopsie of anything. SO completely blew me off, said she treats all the kids the same, has no time for this, DD should just toughen up.
There is no other dance school in the area. SO is also very powerfully connected to the competition circuit. SO teaches all comp level classes at the studio, in all dance forms. She is a highly qualified instructor with an impressive background in dance. Her choreography is wonderful. DD loves to dance, loves to compete, wants to continue to do so, is just sick of dealing with the studio drama.
Advice? How do I help DD cope with this nonsense? How do I tell her to take the high road here and just focus on her own dancing, when what I'd really like to do is give "Poopsie" a good swift kick in the backside??
