dance, gymnastic or pageant?

I am not a fan of competitions for young kids but that is just me. I plan on putting Amelia in gymnastics when she turns 3 but just for fun. I agree with you that it would be the same regardless of the type of competition.

I agree losing any competition would be the same. But at 3, does gymnastics and dance actually do competition where there are winners and losers? Or is it more like everyone does it and everyone receives a ribbon or whatever?

I personally will never ever ever let me kids in pageants but I've been tainted from exposure to toddlers in tiaras, lol. I'm not saying all pageants are like that or all pageant moms are like that or anything. But seriously, that show is CRAZY. Even if I wanted to, my husband saw an episode with that little McKenzie girl (or however you spell it - the one who's like 4-5 and screams for her 'neenee') and pretty much banned his girls from EVER doing it. ;)

I don't think a beauty pageant would be the same as losing a sport. If I had a girl I would do gymnastics over a beauty pageant.

There is always a downside to wverything but i focus more on the you can do anything my daughter is in gymnastics and wants to compete if i get a chance i will learning how to handle both ends winng gracefully and losing gracefully you can sheild them from everything.and i would rather her go threw that witb me right by her to hold her hand so to speak

My dd does competition dance she has placed 1st 3rd and not at all. Dd and her partner screwed up on their duet and they were so upset but still placed 3 rd out of 4 I think. And they were happy. I think it is good to teach kids how to be a good loser and a good winner and that as long as they try their hardest that's really what matters most I know adults who never learned that and they are horrible losers at everything

I am SO against little ones doing pageants. (I wouldn't want my daughter doing it, but if someone else wants their child in one, that's their business, and I respect that) I just don't think little girls should be judged on their looks. If they lose... they may feel like they aren't beautiful, and it could definitely could create some self esteem issues... if they win all the time, it could make them sassy and conceited... that's my 2 cents on that... with gymnastics/dance... they can always practice and become better... with pageants... they can fixate on their appearance all they want... but they can't change their looks... like they will probably want to if they lose... one thing pissed me off when I watched toddlers and tiaras... the judge said "this is a pageant... and you have to be cute to win... and if you aren't cute... you can put on make up, and become cute..." really??? We are talking about CHILDREN... ugh...

 Thanks ladies I have decided to skip the pageant. I have been thinking about it and trying to decided if she should do it or not for a while.

That's cool that you've decided against it. Sometimes I wonder how some moms can throw their girls into those with all the makeup and fake tans, etc.

DD1 (also 3!) has been asking for dance classes so I think we may put her in that and hopefully she enjoys it.

I would pick 1...I think a little competition is just fine. Not a fan of pageants personally.

Why can't she do all 3? Nothing wrong with that! Gives her a selection to see which one she really likes :) or let her do gymnastics & pageants or dance & pageants! Most pageants give the younger kids a ribbon trophy or something so it doesn't hurt their feelings they didn't win. Most don't even care @ that age they just think its cool to get a ribbon lol